Look, if you have been putting off your visa application, that delay just got more expensive. Visa fees went up on 1 July 2024, and some of them went up significantly.
Here is what you need to know.
Student Visa Fees More Than Doubled
This is the one that matters if you are coming to Australia to study. The Subclass 500 fee jumped from $710 to $1,600. That is not a typo. Unless you qualify for an exemption, you are now paying more than double what you would have paid last month.
If you were planning to lodge a student visa, your upfront costs just increased by $890.
Partner Visa Fees Now Over $9,000
Partner visas (Subclass 300, 820/801, 309/100) increased from $8,850 to $9,095. An extra $245 is not dramatic in percentage terms, but when you are already paying nearly ten thousand dollars just in government fees, every dollar counts.
And remember, that is before health checks, police clearances, document translations, and professional fees.
Employer-Sponsored Visa Fee Changes
TSS visa (Subclass 482) fees increased across all streams:
• Short Term Stream: $1,455 to $1,495
• Medium Term Stream: $3,035 to $3,115
• Labour Agreement Stream: $3,035 to $3,115
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) and RSMS (Subclass 187) both went from $4,640 to $4,770. If your employer is sponsoring you for permanent residence, that is an extra $130 on top of what was already a substantial fee.
Skilled Migration Visa Fees
General Skilled Migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491, 494) all increased from $4,640 to $4,770.
These are the points-tested visas. If you have been working on your skills assessment or English test results, the goalposts just moved slightly further away.
Other Visa Fee Changes
• Temporary Graduate (485): $1,895 to $1,945
• Visitor Visa onshore (600): $475 to $490
• Citizenship by Conferral: $540 to $560
What Should You Do Now
Here is the reality. Visa fees only go in one direction. They do not come back down. Every year you wait, the cost increases.
If you have been thinking about lodging an application, factor in these new fees. And be realistic about the total cost. Government fees are just one part of it. Skills assessments, health examinations, police clearances, certified translations, and professional fees all add up.
Not sure where you stand or what your application will actually cost? Book a consultation and let us map out your budget and timeline properly. No surprises.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, book a consultation.
