Australia increased visa fees by 25% from July 2026

Why is Australia increasing visa fees?

Australia increased its Visa Application Charges (VACs) by 25% from July 1, 2026. Introduced under the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026, the new fees affect visitor, business, work, family, and migration visa applications.

The revised charges apply to applications lodged on or after July 1 and affect a broad range of visa categories, including visitor, employer-sponsored, skilled migration, training, business, and family visas.

For many travelers, the increase means factoring a higher visa cost into their travel budget. According to the Regional Australia Migration Consultancy's breakdown of the updated charges, the base application charge for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) increased from AUD 200 to AUD 250, while some long-term work and partner visas saw increases of more than AUD 1,000.

The higher fees have sparked debate within Australia's tourism industry, with some groups warning they could make Australia less attractive to price-conscious international travelers. Australia's Department of Home Affairs, however, says the increase is unlikely to significantly affect visitor demand.

"For tourism and business visitors, aggregate increases to the Visa Application Charge are small and are a very minor consideration when compared to the overall costs of their visit," a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said in comments shared with TTG Asia.

The department argues that while visa application charges have increased, they remain a relatively small part of the overall cost of traveling to Australia compared with flights, accommodation, travel insurance, and other trip expenses.

Which Australian visas are affected?

The increase applies to most Australian visa subclasses, although the exact amount varies depending on the visa type and, in some cases, the applicant's circumstances.

Among the most common visas affected are the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482), employer-sponsored visas, partner visas, training visas, and several skilled migration pathways.

A limited number of humanitarian and Pacific regional visa categories were excluded because they continue under separate government fee arrangements.

When do the new fees apply?

The updated Visa Application Charges apply to all visa applications lodged on or after July 1, 2026.

Applications validly submitted before that date continue under the previous fee schedule, even if they are decided after the increase takes effect.

If you have not yet applied, check the latest charge for your specific visa subclass before submitting your application. The final amount may vary depending on the visa type, whether family members are included, and the applicant's individual circumstances.

How can travelers avoid paying more than necessary?

With Australian visa application costs now significantly higher, choosing the correct travel document has become even more important. Applying for the wrong visa could mean paying a higher application fee than necessary or delaying your trip while you submit a new application.

For instance, travelers often get confused between the Australia ETA and the Standard Visitor Visa. Our Australia ETA vs. Visa guide explains the eligibility requirements for each option so you can avoid wasting time and money applying for the wrong visa.