Australian Immigration Costs 2026: Every Fee Explained

The Real Cost of Australian PR

Searching for Australian visa fees online usually returns a single number: the government's visa application charge. What it rarely tells you is that the application fee is just one of eight to twelve separate costs that add up across the skilled migration process. Skills assessments, English tests, health examinations, police clearances, translation services, and — if you choose to use one — a migration agent can collectively exceed the visa fee itself.

This guide lists every cost category you are likely to encounter, with realistic figures for each, so you can plan a complete budget rather than discovering new fees at each stage of your application.

Skills Assessment Fees

Before you can lodge an Expression of Interest for any skilled migration visa, you need a positive skills assessment from the body that assesses your occupation. Each assessing body sets its own fees, and these are paid directly to the body — not to the Department of Home Affairs.

Note that if your partner also seeks a skills assessment to unlock the full 10 partner points in the points test, their assessment is a separate application and fee. See the partner points guide for details on when this is worthwhile.

English Test Fees

Most skilled migration applicants need to demonstrate at least competent English (IELTS 6.0 in all bands, or equivalent). Higher scores add points to your EOI. Most applicants sit the test two to three times before achieving their target score — budget accordingly.

State and Territory Nomination Fees

State or territory nomination (for 190 and 491 visas) can add 5–15 points to your EOI score — effectively allowing applicants who would not be invited on the direct 189 pathway to receive invitations via nomination.

As of April 2026, all Australian states and territories offer skilled nomination at no cost to the applicant. However, some states require you to have lived and worked in the state for a minimum period before applying, or to have a job offer — requirements that carry indirect costs worth factoring in.

Visa Application Fees (Primary and Secondary Applicants)

The visa application fee is paid to the Department of Home Affairs at the time of lodging your visa application — after you have received an invitation. Fees are charged per applicant and are non-refundable regardless of outcome.

The 189, 190, and 491 fees are identical — the visa application charge is the same regardless of pathway to invitation. The difference in cost between the pathways comes earlier in the process (state nomination requirements, work location, etc.) rather than at the visa application stage.

The Second Instalment — Partner/Family English Fee

If any adult secondary applicant (partner or other adult dependant) does not have functional English at the time the visa is about to be granted, a second instalment of $4,885 per adult becomes payable. This is charged on top of the initial application fee and is not disclosed upfront — the Department requests it when finalising your application.

This fee applies regardless of whether the partner intends to work in Australia or use English professionally. To avoid it, secondary applicants should complete an approved English test to at least competent level (IELTS 6.0 in all bands) before the visa is finalised. See the partner points and English guide for the full breakdown.

Health Examination Costs

All applicants — primary and secondary — must undergo a health examination conducted by a Department-approved Panel Physician. The examination cannot be done by your regular GP.

Health examinations are typically valid for 12 months. If processing of your visa application takes longer than 12 months after the examination date, you may be asked to repeat the examination — which means paying the fee again.

Character and Background Check Costs

Budget at least $200–$500 for character checks across all jurisdictions where you have lived. Applicants with residency in multiple countries before Australia can face a significant administrative burden and cost in obtaining foreign police clearances — some countries require in-person applications or require applicants to return to obtain clearances.

Document Translation Costs

Documents not in English must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified translation. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept translations produced by the applicant or by uncertified translators.

Applicants with extensive overseas documents can easily spend $500–$1,500 on translation services alone. If your qualifications are from a non-English speaking country and your employment history spans multiple countries, plan for this cost early.

Migration Agent Fees

You are not required to use a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) to apply for any Australian visa. The Department of Home Affairs accepts self-managed applications and provides detailed guidance for doing so. However, an agent can add value in specific situations.

Total Cost Estimates by Scenario

The following estimates represent all-in costs from skills assessment through to visa grant, including the scenarios described above. Figures assume English tests are sat twice on average.

Per-Category Summary

What You Can Do Yourself vs When to Use a Professional