Australia PR Visa Fees Increased from 1 July 2026: Check New Government Charges for Subclass 189, 190, 491 & 494

Published: 1 July 2026
Last Updated: 1 July 2026

The Australian Government has officially revised the Visa Application Charges (VACs) for several visa categories, with the new fees taking effect from 1 July 2026. The revised charges apply to all applications lodged on or after this date and impact skilled migration, employer-sponsored, student, partner, graduate, visitor, and other visa categories.

Among the most significant changes is the increase in government fees for Australia's Skilled Migration Program, including the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional - Provisional), and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visas.

If you are planning to apply for Australia Permanent Residency (PR), it is important to understand the revised government charges and plan your migration budget accordingly.

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Key Highlights

• New visa application charges effective from 1 July 2026

• Skilled migration visa fees have increased for new applications

• Applies to Subclass 189, 190, 491 and 494 visas

• Higher government charges for spouses and dependent children

• Fee changes apply only to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026 

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Australia PR Visa Fees from 1 July 2026

The following Government Visa Application Charges (VACs) apply to Australia's major skilled migration visas.

Visa Subclass	Primary Applicant	Spouse / Partner (18 Years & Above)	Dependent Child (Under 18 Years)
Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa	AUD 6,135	AUD 3,070	AUD 1,535
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa	AUD 6,140	AUD 3,070	AUD 1,535
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa	AUD 6,140	AUD 3,070	AUD 1,535
Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa	AUD 6,140	AUD 3,070	AUD 1,535

Note: These are Australian Government Visa Application Charges only. Applicants should also budget for Skills Assessment fees, English language tests, medical examinations, police clearance certificates, document translations, biometrics (where applicable), and other related migration expenses.

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Previous vs New Australia PR Visa Fees

The revised charges represent one of the most notable increases in recent years.

Visa Subclass	Previous Primary Fee	New Primary Fee
Subclass 189	AUD 4,910	AUD 6,135
Subclass 190	AUD 4,910	AUD 6,140
Subclass 491	AUD 4,910	AUD 6,140
Subclass 494	AUD 4,910	AUD 6,140

Additional Applicant Charges

Applicant Category	Previous Fee	New Fee
Spouse / Partner (18 Years & Above)	AUD 2,455	AUD 3,070
Dependent Child (Under 18 Years)	AUD 1,230	AUD 1,535

The increase is approximately 25% compared to the previous government charges for skilled migration visas.

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Estimated Government Visa Charges for Families

Subclass 189

Family Composition	Total Government Fee
Single Applicant	AUD 6,135
Applicant + Spouse	AUD 9,205
Applicant + Spouse + 1 Child	AUD 10,740
Applicant + Spouse + 2 Children	AUD 12,275

Subclass 190, 491 & 494

Family Composition	Total Government Fee
Single Applicant	AUD 6,140
Applicant + Spouse	AUD 9,210
Applicant + Spouse + 1 Child	AUD 10,745
Applicant + Spouse + 2 Children	AUD 12,280

These figures include only the Government Visa Application Charges and do not include other mandatory migration-related expenses.

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Other Australian Visa Fee Changes from 1 July 2026

The annual fee revision also affects several other visa categories.

Visa Category	Government Fee
Student Visa (Subclass 500)	AUD 2,500
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)	AUD 5,750
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)	AUD 6,140
Partner Visa	AUD 11,710
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)	AUD 4,015

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Why Have Australia's Visa Fees Increased?

Visa Application Charges are reviewed periodically by the Australian Government to reflect administrative costs and annual policy updates. The revised charges introduced from 1 July 2026 are part of the Government's annual update to the migration program. 

Although the cost of applying has increased, Australia remains one of the most attractive destinations for skilled professionals due to its strong labour market, competitive salaries, excellent quality of life, world-class healthcare, education system, and pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.

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Additional Costs Applicants Should Budget For

Apart from the Government Visa Application Charge, applicants should also consider:

• Skills Assessment fees

• IELTS, PTE Academic or other approved English language tests

• State Nomination fees (where applicable)

• Medical examinations

• Police Clearance Certificates

• Certified document translations

• Biometrics (if required)

• Professional immigration consultancy fees (optional)

These additional expenses should be factored into your overall migration budget.

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Who Will Be Affected?

The revised fee structure affects:

• Skilled professionals applying under Subclass 189, 190, 491 or 494

• Families including spouses and dependent children

• Employer-sponsored applicants

• International graduates planning Australian permanent residency

• Applicants lodging visa applications on or after 1 July 2026

Applications submitted before 1 July 2026 continue to be assessed under the previous fee schedule.

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Planning to Apply for Australia PR?

With higher government fees now in effect, it is more important than ever to prepare your application carefully. Completing your Skills Assessment, English language test, Expression of Interest (EOI), and supporting documentation in advance can help you avoid delays and submit a stronger application.

Proper planning can also help you estimate the total cost of migration, especially if you are applying with your spouse or dependent children.

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How Visas Avenue Can Help

At Visas Avenue Pvt. Ltd., we provide complete assistance for Australian Skilled Migration, including:

• Australia PR Eligibility Assessment

• ANZSCO Occupation Selection

• Skills Assessment Guidance

• English Language Test Planning

• Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission

• State Nomination Assistance

• Complete Documentation Support

• Australia PR Visa Application Filing

• Dedicated Case Management

Our experienced immigration consultants stay updated with the latest Australian immigration policies and provide end-to-end support to help skilled professionals and families achieve their migration goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did the new Australia PR visa fees come into effect?

The revised Government Visa Application Charges became effective on 1 July 2026 and apply to all new applications lodged on or after this date.

Which Australia PR visas are affected by the fee increase?

The fee increase applies to the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) visas.

Do spouses and dependent children pay separate visa application charges?

Yes. Every additional applicant included in the visa application is required to pay the applicable Government Visa Application Charge based on their age.

Are these the total costs of applying for Australia PR?

No. The Government Visa Application Charge is only one component of the total migration cost. Applicants should also budget for Skills Assessment, English language tests, medical examinations, police certificates, translations, and other related expenses.

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Disclaimer

The visa application charges mentioned in this article are based on the Australian Government's revised Visa Application Charges effective 1 July 2026. Government fees are subject to change without prior notice. Applicants should always verify the latest charges before lodging their visa application.

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- Rajneesh Kumar