If you’ve been keeping an eye on your visa application, you’ve probably already noticed something’s changed. From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government pushed through a big set of fee increases, and this time it’s not the usual small bump we’re used to seeing every year.
We’re talking about PR visas, skilled migration, student visas, employer-sponsored visas, and Working Holiday visas. Some categories only went up a little. Others jumped by a lot. And if you’re not careful about when exactly you apply, that timing alone could cost you thousands of dollars.
If you’re unsure how these fee changes affect your migration plans, our Australia migration experts can help you understand your options before you apply.
Normally, Australian visa fees creep up somewhere between 3% and 5% each year, roughly matching inflation. Nothing dramatic. This year is different — a lot of visa subclasses went up by around 25% in one go.
Not everyone got hit the same way, though. A smaller increase, closer to the usual 2.6% CPI adjustment, applied to a few specific groups:
If you don’t fall into one of those groups — and most applicants don’t — you’re looking at the steeper increase. That includes people applying for PR, skilled migration, partner visas, and Working Holiday visas.
Not sure which category fits you? Talk to Navigate Migrate, the best consultancy for Australia PR in Abu Dhabi & GCC.
Here’s how some of the most commonly used visa subclasses compare, before and after 1 July 2026.
| Visa Subclass | Old Fee | New Fee (from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor (600) | $200 | $250 |
| Student (500) | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| Student – ELICOS/Non-award | $2,000 | $2,050 |
| Temporary Graduate (485) | $4,600 | $5,750 |
| Skilled Independent (189) | $4,910 | $6,135 |
| Skills in Demand (482) | $3,210 | $4,015 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) | $4,910 | $6,140 |
| Partner (820/801 or 309/100) | $9,365 | $11,710 |
| Working Holiday (417) / Work and Holiday (462) – First Application | — | $840 |
| Working Holiday (417) / Work and Holiday (462) – Repeat Application | — | $1,000 |
| Resident Return (155/157) | $490 | $1,475 |
| New Zealand Family (461) | $445 | $1,330 |
Keep in mind these are base charges for a primary applicant only. If you’re including a partner, adult dependants, or children, each one adds an Additional Applicant Charge on top of the base fee. Fees can also shift slightly depending on your location and stream, so it’s worth double-checking the exact number on the Visa Pricing Estimator, or just asking a consultant to confirm it for you.
Not sure which visa pathway is right for you? Our Australia migration specialists can help you compare visa options, estimate your total costs, and prepare a stronger application.
Note: This blog is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa fees and thresholds are updated periodically — always confirm current figures on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
This is the part that catches people out every single year, and it matters even more now given how much fees have gone up.
Your fee is locked in based on the date your application is actually submitted — not the date you finished gathering your documents, not the date your agent said it was ready. Submit before 1 July 2026, and the old fee applies, even if a decision doesn’t come through for months. Submit from 1 July onward, and you’re paying the new fee, no matter how long you’ve been preparing.
And here’s the part that really stings: these fees are generally non-refundable, even if your application is refused or you withdraw it. Under the new fee structure, a rejected application isn’t just disappointing anymore — it’s a genuinely expensive mistake. Getting your application right the first time matters more than ever.
It’s not just visas that got more expensive. Australian citizenship application fees have also increased, broadly in line with the standard CPI adjustment. If citizenship is the next step after your permanent visa, it’s worth building this into your overall budget now rather than later.
If you’re an employer, or an applicant relying on sponsorship, this next change deserves your full attention.
The income threshold for employer-sponsored skilled visas — known as the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), also called the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) — has gone up for any application submitted on or after 1 July 2026. It now sits at roughly $79,400 to $79,500 a year, though the exact figure varies slightly depending on the source, so it’s worth confirming directly with the department before you nominate a position.
This threshold applies to:
If you’re sponsoring someone, check that the role you’re nominating actually clears the new threshold before you go ahead. Getting this wrong doesn’t just mean paying more — it can affect whether the visa is even eligible in the first place. This is exactly the kind of detail our experienced immigration consultants for Australia visa applications help clients identify before submission.
The Fair Work High Income Threshold has increased from $183,100 to $190,100 a year.
This one mostly matters if you’re relying on the high-income age exemption under the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). From 1 July 2026, you’ll need to show earnings above this new threshold to qualify for that exemption. If this pathway applies to you, it’s worth reviewing your salary against the updated figure before you go any further.
Applying through an employer-sponsored pathway? Our Australia migration consultants can review your eligibility against the latest salary thresholds before you lodge your application, helping you avoid costly mistakes.
There are two changes here, and depending on your situation, one is good news and one needs a bit of care.
First, the timing of the age requirement has changed. For both the Working Holiday Visa (417) and the Work and Holiday Visa (462), you now need to meet the age requirement at the point you submit your application — not at some later stage of processing. If you’re close to the cutoff age, don’t leave it too long. Apply early, or you risk being ineligible partway through.
Second, the age limit has actually gone up for some applicants. The maximum age for Subclass 417 applicants has increased from 30 to 35, but only for passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany, and the Republic of Korea. This follows updated reciprocal agreements between Australia and these countries. If your passport isn’t on that list, the existing age limits still apply.
Don’t forget to read our detailed blog to check how you can align your profile with the latest migration priorities. Australia Migration and work Visa changes 2026 Guide
If things don’t go your way, pushing back on a decision now costs more as well.
Fees for a review with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), effective from 1 July 2026, are:
For judicial review through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the standard filing fee has gone up to $4,180, though reduced fees are available for those who qualify.
The Department of Home Affairs has also added a limit on how many times you can import a visa application into ImmiAccount — you’re now capped at three imports per application. After that, you’ll need the Department to manually reset it before you can import again.
If you or your team handle applications for multiple people, it’s worth switching over to the Assign or Share functions in ImmiAccount instead of relying on repeated imports. The Department says the change is about tightening up privacy and cutting down on fraudulent activity.
With this many moving pieces, timing genuinely matters. A few things worth doing before you go any further:
Between the fee increases, the new salary thresholds, and the tighter Working Holiday timing rules, it’s easy to miss a detail that ends up costing you money — or your eligibility altogether. And with non-refundable fees now higher than ever, a mistake at this stage is a lot more expensive than it used to be.
That’s really where having Australia skilled migration consultants in your corner makes a difference. At Navigate Migrate, we work with individuals, families, and employers to get the numbers and the paperwork right the first time, so you’re not the one finding out about a costly error after the fee’s already been paid.
Planning to apply for an Australia PR, work, employer-sponsored or student visa? Speak with our Australia skilled migration consultants before you submit your application. We’ll walk you through your Australia migration cost for 2026, explain the latest visa requirements, and help you plan your next step with confidence before you submit your application.
Planning to move to Australia? Whether you’re applying for permanent residency, a skilled migration visa, an employer-sponsored visa, or a student visa, our experienced Australia skilled migration consultants can guide you through the latest fee changes, assess your eligibility, and help you prepare a complete application. Contact Navigate Migrate today to get personalised Australia visa process help before you apply.
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