The cost of an Australian work visa in 2026 is not a single figure. It is a layered sequence of government charges, mandatory assessments, compliance costs, and settlement requirements that compound before you have earned a single dollar in the country. Most people planning a move to Australia budget for the headline visa fee and discover later that it represents roughly a third to half of the total amount they will spend before starting work.
This guide breaks down every mandatory and likely expense in the visa process: the application fee itself, the pre-lodgement costs that must be paid before the application can be submitted, the salary threshold requirements that apply to sponsored routes, and the first-month settlement costs that follow approval. Where fees changed in 2026, the figures reflect the current rates.
What Does an Australian Work Visa Actually Cost?
The answer depends entirely on which visa you are applying for. The government’s Visa Application Charge (VAC) the non-refundable fee paid to the Department of Home Affairs at the time of lodgement, is the most visible cost but not the largest category when the full process is accounted for.
For a skilled professional applying through the points-tested stream (Subclass 189, 190, or 491), the government fee is $4,910. For an employer-sponsored worker on the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482), it is $3,210. For a graduate applying for post-study work rights through the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), it jumped to $4,600 on 1 March 2026, doubled overnight from the previous $2,300 with no advance notice.
Add mandatory pre-lodgement costs and the total for a single applicant before arriving in Australia sits between $8,000 and $15,000 depending on the visa stream and whether a migration agent is engaged. Every one of those costs is non-refundable if the application is refused.
Visa Application Charges: The 2026 Fee Schedule
The Visa Application Charge is paid online at the time of lodgement and processed by the Department of Home Affairs. The fee applies per person: the primary applicant pays the primary rate, and each dependant, a spouse or partner, and any children being included on the application, pays the applicable secondary rate.
Fees are indexed annually from 1 July in line with Consumer Price Index movements. Most visa categories increased by approximately 3 percent from 1 July 2025. The Temporary Graduate Visa was treated separately, with a targeted doubling on 1 March 2026 that makes it the most expensive post-study work visa of any comparable country. Canada charges an equivalent of under AUD $400 for its post-study work permit. The United Kingdom charges roughly $800. New Zealand charges under $500. The Australian fee at $4,600 stands in a category of its own.
Applicants from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste are exempt from the 485 fee increase under a diplomatic arrangement. All other nationalities pay the full rate.
| Visa subclass | Primary applicant (AUD) | Adult dependant (AUD) | Child under 18 (AUD) |
| 485 – Temporary Graduate | $4,600 | $2,300 | $1,150 |
| 482 – Skills in Demand | $3,210 | $3,210 | $805 |
| 189 – Skilled Independent | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
| 190 – Skilled Nominated | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
| 491 – Skilled Work Regional | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
| 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
| 500 – Student | $2,000 | $1,500 | $500 |
| 417 / 462 – Working Holiday | $635 | N/A | N/A |
A family of four applying for a Subclass 190 visa pays $4,910 for the primary applicant, $2,455 for a spouse, and $1,230 for each child under 18. For two children, that is $9,830 in government fees before a single supporting document has been submitted. There is no refund if the application is subsequently refused.
Mandatory Pre-Lodgement Costs
Before most work visa applications can be lodged, a set of gatekeeper requirements must be satisfied. These costs are incurred before the application fee is paid and are non-refundable regardless of the eventual visa outcome. The sequence is important: skills assessment first, then English language test, then medical, then the application itself.
Skills Assessment
A skills assessment is the government’s method of verifying that an overseas qualification and work history meet Australian standards for a nominated occupation. For the points-tested streams (Subclass 189, 190, and 491), a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is a mandatory prerequisite before an Expression of Interest can be lodged on SkillSelect, the government’s online migration management portal.
The assessing authority depends on the occupation. VETASSESS handles a broad range of professional and managerial occupations and charges approximately $1,096 for a standard assessment. The Australian Computer Society (ACS) assesses ICT professionals and charges $1,498 for standard processing, with a fast-track option at an additional $320. Engineers Australia (EA) charges approximately $825 for most engineering disciplines. Most bodies take 8 to 12 weeks at standard processing speeds. Starting the skills assessment before any other step in the process is the single most time-saving decision a visa applicant can make.
For employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482 and 186), a skills assessment is not always mandatory at lodgement, but many sponsors require it as a condition of the job offer. Budget for it regardless.
English Language Test
Most Australian work visa streams require a formal English language test result from an approved provider. The three main tests are IELTS (International English Language Testing System, a general academic test developed jointly by the British Council, IDP Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English), PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English, a computer-based academic test), and OET (Occupational English Test, a healthcare-specific test accepted for medical and nursing visa applications). Sitting IELTS or PTE Academic costs between $410 and $475 in Australia. OET costs approximately $600.
The minimum score required varies by visa stream. For the points-tested streams, an IELTS score of 6.0 in each component earns 0 additional points but satisfies the minimum requirement. Scores of 7.0 and above earn points, and an 8.0 earns the maximum 20 points in the English language category. For the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), the minimum was raised in 2026 to an IELTS 6.5 equivalent across all four components. Applicants who fall short of the required score must resit at full cost each time.
Medical Examination
Almost all work visa applicants must complete a health assessment by a panel physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs. In Australia, Bupa Medical Visa Services handles the majority of these appointments. The standard examination costs approximately $350 to $500 per adult, depending on the location and whether chest X-rays are required. Results are uploaded directly to the Department’s ImmiAccount system and are valid for 12 months. If visa processing extends beyond that window, the examination must be repeated at full cost.
Police Clearance Certificates
Applicants aged 16 and over must provide police clearance certificates from every country in which they have lived for 12 months or more during the preceding 10 years. An Australian Federal Police (AFP) check costs $42 online and processes within a few days. Overseas police certificates vary widely in cost and processing time. Some require notarisation, apostille stamps, or certified translations before they are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs, adding both time and expense to the process.
NAATI-Certified Translations
Any document not originally issued in English must be translated by a NAATI-accredited translator before submission. NAATI stands for the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, the body that sets the standard for translators accepted in Australian immigration processes. The standard rate is $35 to $60 per page, depending on the language pair and document complexity. A typical application involving academic certificates, a marriage certificate, and a birth certificate in a language other than English adds $150 to $350 in translation costs.
Credit Card Surcharge
Government visa fees paid by credit or debit card through the Department of Home Affairs online portal attract a surcharge of 1.4 to 1.99 percent. On a $4,910 primary applicant fee, that adds $69 to $98. On a family application totalling $9,830, the surcharge runs to $138 to $196. It is a small amount in isolation but consistently catches applicants off guard when the payment total is higher than expected.
Total Pre-Lodgement Cost: A Realistic Range
| Pre-lodgement item | Cost range (AUD) | Notes |
| Skills assessment | $825 – $1,498 | Varies by assessing authority and occupation |
| English language test | $410 – $600 | IELTS / PTE $410–$475; OET $600 |
| Medical examination | $350 – $500 | Per adult; varies by location and X-ray requirement |
| Police clearances | $42 – $300 | AFP $42; overseas certificates vary widely |
| NAATI-certified translations | $0 – $350 | Only required for non-English documents |
| Visa application fee (189/190/491) | $4,910 | Primary applicant; non-refundable |
| Credit card surcharge | $69 – $98 | 1.4–1.99% on the visa fee payment |
| Total (single applicant, no agent) | $6,606 – $8,256 | Full pre-lodgement and application range |
The Salary Floor for Sponsored Visas: TSMIT
For employer-sponsored visa routes, the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), the job offer must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, known as the TSMIT. The TSMIT is the minimum annual base salary an approved employer can offer a sponsored overseas worker. It was introduced to prevent employers from using skilled migration as a mechanism to undercut Australian workers on pay.
The TSMIT currently sits at $76,515. On 1 July 2026, it rises to $79,499. Any job offer below the threshold at the time the nomination is lodged renders that nomination invalid, and the visa application cannot proceed. The TSMIT applies to the base salary only and does not include superannuation, allowances, or non-monetary benefits.
The Skills in Demand Specialist Skills stream has a separate, higher threshold of $141,210. This stream was created specifically for senior and specialist roles and comes with priority processing, a target of seven business days, and more flexible mobility between employers than the Core Skills stream.
The SAF Levy: A Cost That Shapes Your Offer
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a mandatory annual payment made by the employer sponsor to the government. It is not the applicant’s direct expense, the employer pays it, but it has a practical effect on the salary package offered. Employers paying $1,800 per year in SAF levy often factor that cost into their total employment expenditure calculation when deciding what base salary to offer.
The levy is $1,200 per year for small businesses with an annual turnover below $10 million, and $1,800 per year for larger organisations. It is paid upfront for the initial visa period and annually on extension. It is illegal for an employer to pass the levy cost on to the sponsored worker directly, but understanding that it exists helps applicants interpret why some job offers are structured the way they are.
Migration Agent Fees
A registered migration agent is a professional licensed under the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), the government body responsible for the registration, conduct, and disciplinary oversight of migration agents in Australia. MARA registration requires completion of a graduate diploma in migration law and annual continuing professional development. Only MARA-registered agents are legally permitted to provide migration advice for a fee.
With the Temporary Graduate Visa fee at $4,600, the Subclass 189/190 fee at $4,910, and the entire application non-refundable on refusal, many applicants in 2026 treat a migration agent as cost insurance rather than a service preference. A refused application not only loses the fee but can record a refusal against the applicant’s immigration history, which complicates future applications.
Migration agent fees for a straightforward skilled migration application run between $3,000 and $5,000 for a single applicant. Complex cases involving previous refusals, character assessments, or non-standard occupation classifications cost more. For a family application, total agent fees typically run $5,000 to $8,000. These fees are on top of the government charges, not instead of them.
Applicants who proceed without a migration agent should use the Department of Home Affairs’ official visa pricing estimator and read the current product-specific practice advice on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au rather than relying on third-party summaries, which can lag behind policy changes by weeks.
Total Cost by Visa Stream: What to Budget
The table below consolidates the full cost of an Australian work visa application for a single applicant across the three main pathways. Migration agent fees are shown separately as an optional line.
| Cost category | 485 graduate (AUD) | 189 / 190 / 491 skilled (AUD) | 482 employer-sponsored (AUD) |
| Visa application fee | $4,600 | $4,910 | $3,210 |
| Skills assessment | $825 – $1,498 | $825 – $1,498 | $825 – $1,498 |
| English language test | $410 – $600 | $410 – $600 | $410 – $600 |
| Medical examination | $350 – $500 | $350 – $500 | $350 – $500 |
| Police clearances + translations | $100 – $500 | $100 – $500 | $100 – $500 |
| Credit card surcharge | $64 – $91 | $69 – $98 | $45 – $64 |
| Total without agent | $6,349 – $7,789 | $6,664 – $8,106 | $4,940 – $6,372 |
| Migration agent (optional) | $3,000 – $5,000 | $3,000 – $5,000 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Total with agent | $9,349 – $12,789 | $9,664 – $13,106 | $7,940 – $11,372 |
Figures are for a single applicant. Family applications add the applicable secondary applicant fee per dependant. A spouse on a Subclass 190 application adds $2,455. Each child under 18 adds $1,230. A family of four applying for Subclass 190 with an agent would realistically budget $18,000 to $24,000 in total visa costs before any settlement expenses.
What Reduces the Total Cost
Visa application fees are fixed and non-negotiable. The areas where cost can be managed are in the pre-lodgement stage and in the choice of visa stream.
Regional Visa Streams
The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa carries the same $4,910 application fee as the metropolitan-equivalent 189 and 190 visas. The financial advantage is not in the visa fee itself but in what the 491 removes. The 491 adds 15 points to the skilled migration score, the largest single increment in the points test system. For applicants who are 10 to 15 points below a competitive invitation score for the Subclass 189, closing that gap through alternative routes is expensive. Sitting an additional English language test, completing a Professional Year programme (a structured graduate work-experience programme that adds 5 points and costs $8,000 to $14,000), or waiting for the points ceiling to drop all carry time or money costs. The 491 removes the gap without an additional fee. The trade-off is a three-year commitment to living and working in a designated regional area.
Employer-Sponsored Stream
The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) has a lower application fee than the points-tested streams: $3,210 versus $4,910. For applicants who have a firm job offer from an approved sponsor, the 482 is the lower-cost entry point into Australia. The sponsor bears the SAF levy and is responsible for the nomination fee of $540, which sits outside the applicant’s direct costs. The applicant still pays pre-lodgement costs, but the headline visa fee is lower, and the pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 186 transition is well-established after two years with the same employer.
Choosing the Right Assessing Authority
Skills assessment fees vary significantly between assessing bodies. Engineers Australia ($825) charges less than the Australian Computer Society ($1,498) for equivalent processing timelines. Where an occupation falls under multiple potential assessing authorities, selecting the lower-cost body is legitimate provided the authority genuinely covers the nominated ANZSCO code. Choosing an assessing authority that does not cover the nominated code will result in a rejected assessment and the full fee lost. Verify on the Department of Home Affairs’ list of approved assessing authorities before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is $20,000 enough to cover an Australian work visa and first month of costs?
A. For a single applicant with an existing job offer applying through the employer-sponsored stream, $20,000 covers the visa process and a reasonable first-month buffer. Without a job offer, it is tight. A Subclass 189 or 190 application without an agent runs $6,664 to $8,106 in visa costs alone. Add a rental bond and advance rent in Sydney at around $4,200, and the balance available for living costs before the first paycheck is less than $8,000. Most applicants targeting a metropolitan city without an employer sponsor are better positioned starting with $30,000 or more.
Q. What happens to the visa fee if my application is refused?
A. It is forfeited entirely. The Visa Application Charge is non-refundable in all circumstances, including refusal, withdrawal after lodgement, or cancellation. The Department of Home Affairs provides no partial refund. This is why the majority of applicants for high-fee streams in 2026 budget for a migration agent: the agent fee is insurance against losing the full application fee to a preventable error.
Q. Who qualifies for an employer-sponsored work visa in 2026?
A. Three conditions must be satisfied simultaneously. First, the nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), the government’s current list of roles assessed as facing genuine shortages in the Australian labour market. Second, the salary offered must meet or exceed the TSMIT, currently $76,515, rising to $79,499 on 1 July 2026. Third, the applicant must hold at least two years of relevant post-qualification experience in the nominated occupation and a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Q. Can a graduate stay in Australia for three years on the 485 visa?
A. It depends on the qualification. Masters by Research and PhD graduates can receive a three to four year grant period under the 2026 rules. Standard bachelor’s degree holders receive a shorter grant. The government moved away from automatic extensions in 2023 and 2024, and the grant period is now tied to the specific CRICOS course code under which the applicant studied. CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students, the government register that identifies eligible Australian educational institutions for student and graduate visa purposes. Checking CRICOS eligibility before applying is essential.
Q. What are the hidden costs of the Skills in Demand visa that applicants miss?
A. The most consistently overlooked costs are the credit card surcharge on the government payment (1.4 to 1.99 percent), overseas police certificates from multiple countries (which can cost $100 to $300 each and take weeks to obtain), NAATI-certified translations for any document not in English, and the medical examination for any dependants included on the application. None of these appear in the headline fee and each adds to the total.
Q. Does the visa fee change if I apply onshore versus offshore?
A. The Visa Application Charge is the same regardless of where the application is lodged. What changes is processing time and certain eligibility conditions. Some visa streams are only accessible onshore; others only offshore. The Skills in Demand visa and points-tested streams can generally be lodged either onshore or offshore, but applicants who are onshore on a bridging visa while waiting for an outcome face different work rights conditions than those who are offshore. A migration agent can advise on the implications for a specific situation.
Conclusion
The cost of an Australian work visa in 2026 is not one number. It is a sequence: skills assessment, English test, medical, police clearances, translations, the application fee itself, the credit card surcharge, and, for most applicants navigating the current fee environment, a migration agent. For a single skilled migrant applying through the points-tested stream, the realistic total before stepping off the plane sits between $9,600 and $13,000 without an agent, and between $12,600 and $18,000 with one.
None of those costs are recoverable if the application is refused. That is the defining financial reality of the 2026 migration environment. The fee levels have removed the margin for error, and the cost of preparation has risen accordingly.
Plan for the full amount. Start the skills assessment first. Budget for the pre-lodgement costs before the headline fee. And check the current rates on the Department of Home Affairs portal before submitting, fees change annually, and the 2026 cycle has demonstrated that they can change without warning.
All fees and thresholds reflect rates current as at Q1 2026. Visa Application Charges are indexed annually and subject to change without notice. Always verify current fees at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging any application. This article does not constitute migration or legal advice. Consult a MARA-registered migration agent for advice specific to your circumstances.
