2026 Visa Fee Increases in Australia: A Complete Guide

ByRashmi Tharuka 2026-09-032026-09-03

Australia raised almost every visa application charge in 2026, and for some visas it happened twice in the same year. If you’re planning to apply, here’s what the 2026 visa fee increases in Australia actually mean for your budget.

The 485 Temporary Graduate visa was hit hardest

Before March 2026, the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa cost around $2,300. In March 2026, the Department of Home Affairs doubled it to $4,600. Then on 1 July 2026, it rose again to $5,750 for the primary applicant, a jump of roughly 150% in under a year. Secondary applicants aged 18 and over now pay $2,875, and secondary applicants under 18 pay $1,450.

That March increase alone was estimated to raise around $1.2 billion for the Australian Government over five years, largely paid by Temporary Graduate visa applicants, many of whom are former international students.

Skilled visas went up too

Skilled visas, including the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa and the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, increased from around $4,910 to $6,140 from 1 July 2026. That means a family of three applying together for a skilled visa can now pay over $10,700 in government fees alone, before any skills assessment, English test, medical exam, or migration agent costs are added.

Why the increase was so much bigger than usual

Visa fees typically rise by 2 to 5% a year in line with inflation. The 2026 increase was around 25% across most visa categories, roughly eight times the usual adjustment. The government has pointed to two reasons for this: raising revenue, and using higher fees as a lever to manage the number of people applying to come to Australia.

What this means if you’re applying

If you’re on a 485 visa and thinking about your next step, waiting longer generally means paying more, not less, since fees have moved upward twice in a single year already. It’s worth working out your full pathway, including which visa you’re aiming for next, before you commit to a timeline.

If you haven’t settled on a pathway yet, our guide to the 3 pathways to permanent residency in Australia breaks down the state nomination, regional nomination, and employer sponsorship routes side by side. And whichever visa you’re working toward, use the Department of Home Affairs’ own Visa Pricing Estimator to get a number specific to your situation, since these 2026 visa fee increases in Australia can vary by applicant type and visa subclass.

FAQ

Will visa fees keep increasing?
There’s no way to know for certain, but the pattern in 2026 shows fees can rise more than once in a year, so it’s worth budgeting with some buffer.

Do these fee increases apply to visas I’ve already lodged?
Generally, the fee that applied on the date you lodged your application is what you pay, but always confirm your specific situation with a registered migration agent or the Department of Home Affairs directly.

Are there any fee concessions?
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens in limited circumstances. Most other applicants pay the standard rate listed on the Home Affairs fee schedule.