The cost of an Australian visa can range from AUD 0 to more than AUD 11,000, depending on the visa category, the applicant’s circumstances, the location from which the application is submitted and whether family members are included.
For example, an eligible traveller may receive a free eVisitor visa, while an offshore Visitor visa may cost AUD 250. A Student visa currently starts at AUD 2,500, and most Partner visa applications start at AUD 11,710. These figures represent government application charges only. Medical examinations, biometrics, police certificates, translations, professional assistance and payment surcharges can increase the total cost considerably.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs reviews visa charges periodically. The current pricing table was updated on 1 July 2026, so applicants should always verify the exact fee shortly before submitting an application.
Australian Visa Costs at a Glance
The following are some of the most common Australian visa application charges as of July 2026:
| Visa type | Visa subclass | Government application charge |
|---|---|---|
| eVisitor | 651 | Free |
| Visitor visa, applied for outside Australia | 600 | From AUD 250 |
| Visitor visa, applied for inside Australia | 600 | From AUD 630 |
| Frequent Traveller Visitor visa | 600 | AUD 1,845 |
| Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa | 417 or 462 | AUD 1,000 |
| Student visa | 500 | From AUD 2,500 |
| Skills in Demand visa | 482 | From AUD 4,015 |
| Temporary Graduate visa | 485 | From AUD 5,750 |
| Skilled Independent visa | 189 | From AUD 6,135 |
| Partner visa | 309/100 or 820/801 | From AUD 11,710 |
| Prospective Marriage visa | 300 | From AUD 11,710 |
These are normally base charges for the primary applicant. Additional applicant fees, second instalments and other charges may apply.
How Much Does an Australian Tourist Visa Cost?
The cost of visiting Australia depends mainly on the traveller’s passport and the visa for which they are eligible.
eVisitor Visa – Subclass 651
The eVisitor visa is free. It is available only to eligible passport holders and generally allows multiple visits during a 12-month period, with stays of up to three months per visit. The applicant must be outside Australia when applying.
Being eligible for an eVisitor visa can therefore make the government application cost effectively zero. Travellers may still incur separate expenses for documentation, travel insurance or medical examinations if requested.
Electronic Travel Authority – Subclass 601
The Electronic Travel Authority is available only to travellers holding certain passports. Although it is an electronically issued travel authority rather than a conventional paper visa, applicants may need to pay a service charge when applying through the official Australian ETA app.
Eligibility should be checked before applying because not every nationality can use the ETA or eVisitor systems.
Visitor Visa – Subclass 600
The Visitor visa is used by tourists, people visiting relatives and certain short-term business visitors who are not eligible for an eVisitor or ETA.
The main application charges are:
- From AUD 250 when applying from outside Australia
- From AUD 630 when applying from inside Australia
- AUD 1,845 for the Frequent Traveller stream
The Sponsored Family stream also starts at AUD 250. In some cases, the sponsor may be asked to provide a security bond, commonly between AUD 5,000 and AUD 15,000 per applicant. A security bond is separate from the visa application charge and is generally intended to encourage compliance with visa conditions.
How Much Does an Australian Student Visa Cost?
The standard Student visa, subclass 500, currently starts at AUD 2,500 for the primary applicant. Lower charges may apply to certain applicants, including eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and some ASEAN countries, as well as applicants in particular English-language or non-award study sectors.
The visa application fee is only one part of the cost of studying in Australia. A student may also need to budget for:
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- A medical examination
- An approved English-language test
- Biometrics, where required
- Police certificates
- Certified translations
- Tuition deposits
- Evidence of sufficient living and travel funds
The visa charge should therefore not be confused with the full cost of becoming an international student. Course fees, accommodation and financial-capacity requirements are separate from the visa application charge.
How Much Does a Working Holiday Visa Cost?
The Working Holiday visa, subclass 417, and the Work and Holiday visa, subclass 462, currently cost AUD 1,000. The same fee generally applies when applying for a first, second or third Working Holiday visa, although eligibility requirements differ between applications.
A lower charge may be available to certain eligible passport holders under concessions introduced from 1 July 2026.
Applicants should also budget for health examinations, police checks, biometrics and evidence of sufficient funds if these are required. The visa fee does not cover flights, travel insurance or living expenses after arrival.
How Much Does an Australian Work Visa Cost?
Australian work visa costs vary widely because the system includes short-term, employer-sponsored, training, graduate and permanent skilled visas.
Some current examples include:
- Temporary Work Short Stay Specialist visa, subclass 400: from AUD 535
- Temporary Activity visa, subclass 408: from AUD 535
- Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482: from AUD 4,015
- Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485: from AUD 5,750
- Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189: from AUD 6,135
Employer-sponsored applications can involve costs on both sides. The visa applicant may pay the visa application charge, while the employer may be responsible for separate sponsorship, nomination or levy payments. The Department’s general pricing estimator does not necessarily include every sponsorship or nomination cost.
Skilled migration applicants may also need to pay for a skills assessment, an English-language examination, state or territory nomination, medical checks and police certificates.
How Much Does an Australian Partner Visa Cost?
Most Partner visa applications currently start at AUD 11,710 for the main applicant.
This fee generally applies to:
- Partner visa subclasses 309 and 100 for applicants applying from outside Australia
- Partner visa subclasses 820 and 801 for applicants applying from inside Australia
- Prospective Marriage visa subclass 300
Partner visa applications can become substantially more expensive when dependent children are included. Applicants should also budget for police certificates, medical examinations, translations, certified copies and, where used, professional migration or legal services.
The high fee does not guarantee approval. Applicants must still satisfy identity, relationship, character, health and sponsorship requirements.
Why Does the Final Visa Cost Differ Between Applicants?
Two people applying for the same visa subclass may not necessarily pay the same total amount.
Additional family members
Many visa categories impose separate charges for a spouse, partner or dependent child included in the application. The amount may differ depending on whether the additional applicant is under or over 18.
Applying inside or outside Australia
Some visas have different charges depending on the applicant’s location. The Visitor visa is a clear example, costing from AUD 250 offshore and from AUD 630 onshore.
Previous visa applications in Australia
A subsequent temporary application charge may apply to certain people applying for another temporary visa while in Australia. This can affect applicants for visas such as subclasses 407, 408, 482, 500, 590 and 600. The charge depends on the applicant’s visa history and is added to the ordinary application fee.
Second instalment charges
Some visas require a second payment before the visa can be granted. This may apply, for example, to certain family members who do not meet specified English-language requirements. The Skilled Independent visa page states that a second instalment of AUD 4,885 may apply to certain family members.
Concessions and exemptions
Lower charges or exemptions may apply to limited groups based on nationality, visa stream, government representation or other circumstances. Applicants should not assume that a concession applies without confirming it through the official pricing tool.
Additional Costs That Are Not Included in the Visa Fee
The government application charge is not necessarily the full cost of applying for an Australian visa.
Medical examinations
Applicants are responsible for paying the clinic, physician or radiologist carrying out required health examinations. Costs vary by country, clinic, age and the tests required. Further examinations can create additional expenses.
Biometrics
Applicants in certain countries may be asked to provide fingerprints and a facial photograph through an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre. The collection centre may charge a separate service fee.
English-language tests
An English examination may be required for some student, graduate or skilled visas. The Department notes that an approved test may cost approximately AUD 150 to AUD 400, depending on the country and test provider.
Police certificates and translations
Police authorities may charge for character certificates. Documents that are not in English may need to be translated, and some applications require certified copies or official verification.
Skills assessments
Skilled visa applicants often need an assessment from the authority responsible for their occupation. This fee is paid to the assessing authority rather than to the Department of Home Affairs.
Migration agent or legal fees
Using a registered migration agent or lawyer is optional in most cases. Professional fees are separate from government charges and can vary significantly according to the complexity of the application.
Are There Payment Surcharges?
A payment surcharge can apply when visa, sponsorship or nomination charges are paid by card, PayPal or another supported payment method.
For example, the Department lists a surcharge of 1.40% for Visa and Mastercard payments, including many debit cards. On a Partner visa fee of AUD 11,710, a 1.40% surcharge would add approximately AUD 164.
Applicants should check their card limit and available balance before attempting payment.
Are Australian Visa Fees Refundable?
Australian visa application charges are generally not refunded merely because:
- The application is refused
- The applicant withdraws the application
- The applicant changes their mind
- The sponsorship or nomination is unsuccessful
Refunds are available only in limited circumstances permitted by legislation or administrative policy.
This makes it important to confirm that the correct visa has been selected and that the applicant satisfies the main eligibility requirements before paying a substantial application charge.
When Is the Visa Fee Determined?
The relevant fee is based on the date the Department receives the application. If the fee increases between the time an application is submitted and the time it is officially received, the applicant may need to pay the new amount.
Australian visa fees are stated in Australian dollars. Currency conversion costs and international card fees imposed by the applicant’s bank may add to the amount paid in the applicant’s local currency.
How to Calculate the Exact Cost of an Australian Visa
Because visa fees depend on the subclass, stream, passport country, location, age of accompanying applicants and previous visa history, there is no single answer that applies to everyone.
The most reliable calculation process is:
- Identify the correct visa subclass and stream.
- Confirm whether the application will be lodged inside or outside Australia.
- Add every family member included in the application.
- Check whether additional applicant or second instalment charges apply.
- Check for subsequent temporary application charges.
- Add payment surcharges.
- Budget for medical, biometrics, police, translation and assessment costs.
- Confirm the final amount using the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before applying.
The official estimator asks about the visa stream, passport country, application date, location, online or paper lodgement, additional adults, children and previous Australian visa applications. It may not include every second instalment or related cost, so the result should still be treated as an estimate.
The Real Cost of an Australian Visa
For a straightforward tourist application, the total cost may be little more than the government charge and payment surcharge. A student, skilled worker or partner applicant may face thousands of dollars in additional expenses before flights, tuition or relocation costs are considered.
As of July 2026, common government charges range from free for an eligible eVisitor to AUD 250 for an offshore Visitor visa, AUD 1,000 for a Working Holiday visa, AUD 2,500 for a Student visa, AUD 6,135 for a Skilled Independent visa and AUD 11,710 for most Partner visa applications.
The best approach is to choose a visa based on its legal purpose and eligibility criteria, not simply its price. Applicants should verify all figures immediately before lodgement because Australian visa charges can change and application fees are usually non-refundable.