Australian Visa Fees Increase 2026-27: Students, Workers and Families Face Higher Costs.

Last Updated: 1st July 2026

From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government has increased visa application charges across many commonly used visa categories.

This includes student visas, graduate visas, skilled visas, employer sponsored visas, partner visas and parent visas.

For many applicants, this is not just a small fee adjustment. It is another financial burden added to a migration journey that is already becoming more expensive, more competitive and harder to plan.

Continue reading to find out all of the changes in fees published by the government.

Popular Visas: Fee Change Summary

*Visa fees are accurate at the time of posting but may change regularly. Please confirm with our consultants for the latest visa fee information.

Temporary Graduate Visa Now Costs $5,750

One of the biggest shocks is the Temporary Graduate Visa, subclass 485.

The 485 visa now costs from AUD $5,750 for most applicants. Compared to the earlier FY26 fee of $2,300, this is an increase of $3,450, or 150%.

For international students, this is a very heavy increase.

Many students are already paying high tuition fees, rent, living costs, health insurance, English tests and skills assessment fees. Adding such a large visa fee at the post-study stage puts even more pressure on graduates who are trying to build their future in Australia.

It is understandable that many students may feel disappointed. International students are often encouraged to study in Australia with the hope of building a career and long-term future here. But when costs keep rising at every stage, it can feel like the system is becoming harder to afford.

Over time, this may lead more students to compare Australia with other countries that offer clearer, more affordable or more supportive post-study pathways.

Student Visa Fee Increased to $2,500

The Student Visa, subclass 500 continued to increase significantly from $2,000 to AUD $2,500 for most applicants.

This creates another major upfront cost for students and families before they even arrive in Australia. On top of tuition fees, living expenses, OSHC and relocation costs, the visa fee itself is now a serious part of the study budget.

However, there is one important point to note.

Home Affairs confirms that a lower visa cost of $2,050 applies to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and eligible ASEAN countries. This may include key student markets such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.

For eligible students, this may create a cost advantage compared to applicants from other countries. But overall, the increase still shows that studying in Australia is becoming more expensive.

Employer Sponsored Visas Are Also More Expensive

Employer sponsored visa pathways have also been affected.

This includes key visas such as the Skills in Demand Visa, subclass 482, the Employer Nomination Scheme, subclass 186, and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa, subclass 494.

The 186 and 494 visas are now from AUD $6,140.

This does not only affect visa applicants. It also affects Australian employers.

Many businesses are already struggling to find suitable workers locally, especially in industries such as construction, trades, hospitality, healthcare and regional services. Higher visa fees make sponsorship even harder and more expensive.

Sponsoring an overseas worker already involves recruitment costs, nomination costs, compliance obligations and professional fees. Higher visa charges add another barrier for employers who genuinely need skilled workers to keep their businesses running.

Skilled Migration Is Becoming More Costly

General skilled migration visas, including subclasses 189, 190 and 491, have also increased.

For skilled workers and international graduates, this adds more pressure to an already expensive PR journey.

Before receiving a visa outcome, many applicants may already need to pay for skills assessments, English tests, medical checks, police checks, state nomination requirements and professional advice.

When visa fees continue to rise, applicants may start asking a difficult question: is Australia still affordable as a long-term migration destination?

This matters because Australia is not the only country competing for skilled talent. If the cost becomes too high, some skilled workers may choose to build their future elsewhere.

Partner and Parent Visas: Family Reunion Becomes Harder to Afford

Families are also affected.

Partner visa applications are now from AUD $11,710 for most applicants. This makes one of Australia’s most important family visas even more expensive.

Parent visa costs also remain a major concern. Some parent visa fees are paid across different instalments, and contributory parent visas can involve much higher total costs.

For many families, these increases are not just numbers on a government fee table. They can affect whether couples can stay together, whether parents can reunite with children, and whether families can plan their future in Australia.

Migration is not only about work and study. It is also about people, families and long-term stability.

What This Means for Applicants

These visa fee increases send a clear message: moving to Australia is becoming more expensive.

• For students, the cost of starting their study journey is higher
• For graduates, the cost of staying after study has become significantly heavier.
• For skilled workers, the PR pathway is becoming more expensive.
• For employers, sponsorship is becoming harder to access.
• For families, reunion is becoming even more financially difficult.

With visa fees rising and migration policies continuing to change, planning early is more important than ever.

If you are planning to study, apply for a graduate visa, sponsor a skilled worker, apply for PR or reunite with your family in Australia, it is important to understand your options before making any major decision.

At Hays Migration and Education, our experienced migration and education team can help you review your pathway, understand the latest requirements and prepare your next step with more confidence.

Contact our team today to get started.

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