Australia's Visa Charges Went Up on 1 July 2026: The Numbers South African Workers Should Plan Around
News · 2026-08-06 · 3 min read
If your plan is to reach Australia on an employer-sponsored visa, set your budget against the new numbers. The Australian Government increased application charges across almost every visa category, and the higher rate applies to anything lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
Already Lodged? You Keep the Old Price
Does this affect visas already lodged? No. Applications that went in before 1 July 2026 are not affected. They stay on the old fee, even if a decision is still pending. Only applications lodged from 1 July 2026 onward pay the new charges.
Sponsored Work Visas
| Visa | New charge |
|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) | $4,015 (previously $3,210) |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) | $6,140 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) | $6,140 |
Taking your partner or children along? Every extra family member attracts its own government charge on top of the amounts above.
Points-Tested and State-Nominated Visas
For the skilled migration visas, the new charges look like this:
| Visa | New charge |
|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) | $6,135 |
| Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) | $6,140 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) | $6,140 |
Study, Guardian and Graduate Visas
Here is what student and graduate visas now cost:
| Visa | New charge |
|---|---|
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | $2,500 |
| Student Guardian (Subclass 590) | $2,500 |
| Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) | $5,750 |
The Partner Visa Tops the Table
At $11,710, the Partner Visa now carries the largest single government charge anywhere in the system.
Working Out a Family Budget
A quick example helps. Picture a household of three applying for a Skilled Independent (189) visa: the main applicant, a spouse and one child. The government charges by themselves come to $10,745.
That figure leaves out several other costs you will still have to cover:
- Medical exams
- Police clearance certificates
- Skills assessments
- English language testing
For South African tradespeople, this is where the prep work starts. Trades are usually assessed again for Australia, often through Trades Recognition Australia, so have certified copies of your trade certificate ready (a commissioner of oaths can certify them). Apply early for a SAPS police clearance, and book IELTS or PTE if your visa or employer needs an English score.
Skilled Trades Are Still Wanted
The good news is that demand for skilled workers isn't going anywhere. Higher charges have not changed the basic picture: Australia remains short of skilled workers. The gaps are clearest in Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanics, Welding, Chef roles, Butchery, HVAC, Nursing, Engineering and Heavy Vehicle Mechanics.
Thousands of employer-sponsored positions are still open to qualified applicants from overseas.
Your Next Move
Ready to explore visa sponsorship? If you are looking for jobs in Australia for South Africans, focus on accredited Australian employers that offer genuine sponsorship. Browse the current vacancies, register your profile and take the next step toward an Australian career.
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