Australian Visa Fee Changes From 1 July 2026: Overview

The Department of Home Affairs updated visa application charges from 1 July 2026. Visa application charges can change from time to time, and the amount payable generally depends on the date the Department receives the visa application. If there is a price increase between lodgement and receipt, the new charge may apply.

For many applicants, this is not just a minor fee update. The increase affects common visa pathways including student visas, visitor visas, temporary graduate visas, employer-sponsored visas, skilled visas, partner visas and Bridging Visa B.

This article summarises the key fee changes and explains what applicants should consider before lodging a visa application.

What Is a Visa Application Charge?

A visa application charge is the amount paid to the Australian Government when lodging a visa application. It is separate from other possible costs, such as health examinations, police checks, English tests, skills assessments, nomination fees, professional fees or credit card/payment surcharges.

The Department also notes that surcharges may apply when paying visa application charges, sponsorship or nomination fees by credit card or PayPal.

1 July 2026 Fee Changes: Key Results

The following table summarises selected common visa application charge changes from 1 July 2026. The amounts are shown in Australian dollars and should always be checked against the Department of Home Affairs’ current visa pricing information before lodgement. The Department’s current visa pricing table groups visas by purpose, including visit, study, work, live, other, and repealed or closed visas.

Important: the table is for general information only. Actual charges may vary depending on the stream, applicant location, family members included, concessions, subsequent temporary application charge, and payment timing. Applicants should verify the current amount through the Department’s visa pricing page or the Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.

Which Visa Categories Were Most Affected?

Some of the most noticeable increases were seen in family, student, graduate and temporary visa categories.

Partner visa applicants are now facing one of the highest upfront application charges, with partner visa pathways such as 820/801 and 309/100 increasing to AUD 11,710 in the table above. Prospective Marriage visa applicants are also affected at the same level.

Bridging Visa B saw the largest percentage increase in the comparison table, moving from AUD 190 to AUD 575. This is particularly relevant for applicants in Australia who need to travel overseas while waiting for a pending visa application.

Student and education-related applicants should also reassess their budgets. The Subclass 500 Student visa and Subclass 590 Student Guardian visa are listed at AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, while the Temporary Graduate visa is listed at AUD 5,750.

Why Timing Matters More After a Fee Increase

The Department states that the cost of a visa depends on the date it receives the application. If a fee increase happens between the date a person lodges their application and the date the Department receives it, the applicant may need to pay the new application charge.

This means applicants should not treat timing as an afterthought. A delay in preparing documents, confirming eligibility, finalising family members’ evidence, or arranging payment limits can affect the cost and validity of an application.

Applicants should also ensure their daily payment limits and available funds are sufficient before lodging, as the Department specifically reminds applicants to have enough funds available to cover the charge and any surcharge.

What This Means for Student Visa Applicants

For student visa applicants, the increase is another reminder that study planning is no longer only about course selection and tuition fees. Visa costs, OSHC, living expenses, English requirements, financial evidence and Genuine Student requirements should all be considered together.

Students who are changing courses, extending their studies, adding family members, or moving between visa pathways should review the full cost before lodging.

What This Means for Skilled and Employer-Sponsored Applicants

Applicants considering skilled migration or employer sponsorship should look beyond the visa application charge itself. For employer-sponsored pathways, visa costs may sit alongside nomination requirements, salary thresholds, employer compliance issues and timing considerations.

From 1 July 2026, skilled visa income thresholds also increased by 3.8%, affecting nomination applications for several employer-sponsored visa pathways, including the Skills in Demand visa and Employer Nomination Scheme visa.

This means the new financial year may affect both the applicant’s visa application charge and the employer’s nomination strategy.

What This Means for Partner and Family Applicants

Partner and Prospective Marriage visa applicants may feel the increase most sharply because the application charge is already high. If a couple is deciding between lodging now, gathering more evidence, or waiting until their relationship evidence becomes stronger, the cost increase should not be the only consideration.

A rushed application can create bigger risks if relationship evidence, identity documents, police checks or prior visa history issues have not been properly addressed.

Practical Steps Before Lodging

• Check the current Department of Home Affairs visa pricing information before payment.
• Confirm whether the listed charge applies to your specific subclass and stream.
• Review whether additional applicants, such as a partner or children, will increase the total cost.
• Check whether a subsequent temporary application charge may apply.
• Ensure your payment method, daily limit and available funds are sufficient.
• Reassess your timing if your current visa is expiring soon.
• Seek legal advice if your pathway involves complex issues, including refusals, prior visa conditions, family members, employer sponsorship or bridging visa travel.

Key Takeaways

• Visa application charges changed from 1 July 2026.
• The payable amount generally depends on when the Department receives the application.
• Partner and Prospective Marriage visas saw the highest dollar increase in the comparison table.
• Bridging Visa B had the largest percentage increase in the comparison table.
• Student, graduate, skilled and employer-sponsored visa applicants should review their budgets carefully.
• Employer-sponsored applicants should also consider the 1 July 2026 skilled visa income threshold changes.
• Always verify the current fee directly with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

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