Visa application charges and key immigration fees increase
From 1 July 2026, a range of Australian immigration-related fees and financial thresholds have changed. These annual updates affect visa applicants and employers sponsoring workers.
The changes include annual increases to Visa Application Charges (VACs), fees for reviews lodged with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), higher Federal Circuit Court migration application fees and an increase to the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT), which is relevant to certain work visa applicants.
Jamie Lingham, CEO of Absolute Immigration Group, said the increases place an additional financial burden on migrants at a time when many are already facing rising costs.
“Yet again we see migrants used as a cash-cow for the government during a time that anti-immigration sentiment is at an all-time high. Increases of fees for any voting Australian would be an outrage, but these significant fee-hikes are deliberately targeted at non-voting individuals for the purpose of revenue raising, as opposed to reducing migration numbers”.
Visa application charges increase from 1 July 2026
Visa Application Charges (VACs) are reviewed annually and are generally indexed in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The updated fees apply to visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
Below are some visa subclasses with increased application fees:
Visa type | Previous visa applicant charge | New Charge from |
Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa – Primary applicant | $3,210 | $4,015 |
Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $3,210 | $4,015 |
Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $805 | $1,005 |
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa – Primary applicant | $4,910 | $6,140 |
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $2,455 | $3,070 |
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $1,230 | $1,535 |
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (subclass 400) visa – Primary applicant | $430 | $535 |
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (subclass 400) visa – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $430 | $535 |
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (subclass 400) visa – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $110 | $135 |
Training (subclass 407) visa – Primary applicant | $430 | $535 |
Training (subclass 407) visa – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $430 | $535 |
Training (subclass 407) visa – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $110 | $135 |
Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa – Primary applicant | $430 | $535 |
Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $430 | $535 |
Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $110 | $135 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa – Primary applicant | $4,910 | $6,140 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $2,455 | $3,070 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $1,230 | $1,535 |
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) | $505 | $630 |
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $250 | $315 |
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $130 | $160 |
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa – Primary applicant | $4,600 | $5,750 |
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa – Secondary applicant (over 18 years of age) | $2,300 | $2,875 |
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa – Secondary applicant (under 18 years of age) | $1,160 | $1,450 |
Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) (BVB) | $190 | $575 |
Partner (Temporary) visa (subclass 820) | $9,365 | $11,710 |
Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) | $9,365 | $11,710 |
The Department of Home Affairs publishes current visa pricing and other applicable immigration charges on its website. As visa application fees vary depending on the visa subclass, applicant type and additional family members included in an application.
Fair Work High Income Threshold increases
The Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) has increased from $183,100 to $190,100 per annum from 1 July 2026.
While the threshold has several applications under workplace legislation, it is particularly relevant for migration purposes because it forms part of the age exemption available under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.
Applicants relying on the age exemption to satisfy the under 45 age requirements must demonstrate that their earnings exceeded the applicable FWHIT during the relevant qualifying period.
Employers and applicants planning to rely on this exemption should ensure the updated threshold is considered when preparing their application.
Minimum Income Threshold increases
The updated minimum income thresholds are:
- The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has increased to $79,423, up from $76,515 in the previous financial year.
- The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) has also increased to $146,576, up from $141,210 in the previous financial year.
Administrative Review Tribunal application fees also increase
The updated application fees for the ART are:
- Migration review applications: $3,727 (previously $3,580)
- Protection visa review applications: $2,293 (previously $2,203)
For protection visa review applications, the application fee is generally only payable if the review is unsuccessful.
Federal Circuit Court migration application fees increase
Individuals seeking judicial review of a migration decision in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia will also pay higher filing fees from 1 July 2026.
The new fees are:
- Full application fee: $4,180 (previously $4,015)
- Reduced application fee (where approved): $2,090 (previously $2,005)
What these changes mean for visa applicants and employers
The annual fee and threshold updates may affect the overall cost of applying for an Australian visa, visa eligibility and litigation expenses.
Applicants planning to lodge a visa application should ensure they have budgeted for the updated VACs, while employers sponsoring overseas workers should review the new income thresholds before lodging nominations applications.
With the increase in VACs, some applicants may consider preparing and lodging their visa application themselves to reduce overall costs. While this may seem like a cost-saving option, Australian migration law is complex and even minor errors or omissions can result in processing delays, requests for further information or, in some cases, a visa refusal.
Obtaining professional immigration advice can help applicants understand the applicable requirements, avoid common mistakes and ensure their application is prepared correctly from the outset.
Need immigration advice?
If you are planning to lodge a visa application or sponsor an overseas worker and would like advice on how these changes may affect you, contact our expert Migration Strategists at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com or our Immigration Lawyers at admin@absoluteimmigrationlegal.com.
