Australia Visa Application Fee Changes from 1 July 2026

01 July 2026

The Australian Government has introduced significant increases to a range of Visa Application Charges (VACs), with the new fees taking effect from 1 July 2026. The updated charges apply to all visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.

While annual indexation of visa fees is common, this year's changes include substantial increases across several visa categories, with some application charges increasing by more than 200%. The Department of Home Affairs has also increased skilled visa income thresholds by 3.8%, reflecting annual wage growth.

For prospective migrants, families, employers, and businesses, these changes may have a significant financial impact and make careful planning more important than ever.

Key Visa Fee Changes from 1 July 2026

The table below highlights some of the most significant Visa Application Charge increases.

Visa Type Fee Before 1 July 2026 Fee From 1 July 2026 Increase

Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) $190 $575 +203%

Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) $490 $1,475 +201%

New Zealand Citizen Family

Relationship Visa (Subclass 461) $445 $1,330 +199%

Temporary Graduate Visa

(Subclass 485) $2,300 $5,750 +150%

Partner Visa (Subclass 300,

309/100 & 820/801) $9,365 $11,710 +25%

General Skilled Migration (Subclass

189,190,491, & 494) $4,910 $6,135 +25%

Employer Nomination Scheme

(Subclass 186) $4,910 $6,140 +25%

Skills in Demand Visa

(Subclass 482) $3,210 $4,015 +25%

Student & Student Guardian

Subclass 500 & 590) $2,000 $2,500 +25%

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600-

Offshore) $200 $250 +25%

Contributory Parent Visa

First Instalment (Subclass 143) $445 - $5,040* $555 - $6,300* +25%

Australian Citizenship

By Conferral $575 $595 +3.5%

Business Innovation Visa

(Subclass 188A & 188B) $10,000 N/A Closed to New Applicants

Significant Investor Visa

(Subclass 188C) $14,670 N/A Closed to New Applicants

*The Second Visa Application Charge for the Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) visa remains unchanged.

Does the New Visa Application Fee Apply to You?

The applicable Visa Application Charge (VAC) is determined by the date the Department of Home Affairs receives your visa application - not by when you began preparing your application, gathered supporting documents, or completed an English language test.

If your application was lodged before 1 July 2026, the previous fee schedule will apply, regardless of when the Department makes its decision.

For all applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026, the new Visa Application Charges apply, even if you commenced preparing your application before the fee changes took effect.

Applicants should also be aware that Visa Application Charges are generally non-refundable, even if a visa application is refused, withdrawn, or otherwise unsuccessful. Ensuring your application is complete and professionally prepared before lodgement is therefore more important than ever.

What Do These Changes Mean?

The increased Visa Application Charges reinforce the importance of lodging a well-prepared application the first time. With application costs now significantly higher across many visa categories, mistakes or omissions can become considerably more expensive.

Whether you are applying for a skilled visa, partner visa, employer-sponsored visa, student visa, graduate visa, visitor visa, or family visa, obtaining professional legal advice can help reduce risk and improve the quality of your application.

How IR Legal Can Help

Australia's migration laws continue to evolve, with changes to visa fees often accompanied by broader legislative and policy reforms. At IR Legal, our experienced immigration lawyers provide strategic advice and tailored legal assistance across all areas of Australian immigration law.

We assist individuals, families, employers, and businesses with preparing high-quality visa applications, responding to Departmental requests, managing complex migration matters, and representing clients in visa refusals and review proceedings.

If you are planning to lodge an Australian visa application or would like advice on how the 1 July 2026 visa fee changes may affect your circumstances, contact IR Legal to speak with one of our experienced immigration lawyers.

📞 Contact us to discuss how these changes may affect you or your organisation.

🌐 www.irlegal.lawyer