Australia has introduced sweeping increases to visa application fees from July 1, significantly raising the cost of studying, working and reuniting with family in the country. The new charges affect international students, skilled workers, graduates, partners and several other visa holders.
The international student visa fee has increased from A$2,000 to A$2,500, while the Temporary Graduate visa has jumped to A$5,750. Partner visa applicants will now pay A$11,710, and the Skilled Independent visa fee has risen to A$6,135, adding thousands of dollars to the cost of migrating to Australia.
Some visa categories have seen even steeper increases. The Bridging Visa B, Resident Return Visa and New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa have all recorded fee hikes of more than 200 per cent, prompting concerns over affordability for migrants and families.
Migration experts say the sharp increases create a major financial burden for genuine applicants, especially as visa processing times remain uncertain. Critics argue the higher fees could discourage international students and skilled workers at a time when Australia continues to face labour shortages.
The Australian Government says the new charges apply to applications lodged from 1 July 2026, with additional surcharges and second instalments still applicable for some visa categories.
