Australia: New Visa Application Fees Now in Effect
Australia adjusted its Visa Application Charges (VAC), effective July 1, 2012. Fees remain the same for short-term business visitor (subclass 456) and subclass 457 visa applications, but fees for most categories of employer-sponsored permanent residence visas have increased.
The new fees apply to applications received on or after July 1.
The following table includes the new fees for many employment-related visa categories.
| Application | Previous Application Fee | July 1 Visa Application Fee (1st Installment)* | Second Installment (per applicant) |
| Temporary Business Entry | |||
| Temporary Business Short Stay (Subclass 456) visa | $140 | $140 (no change) | N/A |
| Business Sponsorship (Australian or overseas business) under 457 visa program and Occupational Trainee | $405 | $420 | N/A |
| Nomination under 457 visa program or labor agreement | $80 | $85 | N/A |
| Temporary Business Long Stay (Subclass 457) visa | $350 | $350 (no change) | N/A |
| Other Temporary Entry | |||
| Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 956) visa | $105 | $110 | N/A |
| Occupational Trainee (Subclass 442) visa | $305 | $315 | N/A |
| Exchange (Subclass 411) visa – lodged in Australia | $305 | $315 | N/A |
| Nomination under 442 and 411 visa program | $165 | $170 | N/A |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent Residence) | |||
| Nomination | $520 | $540 | N/A |
| New Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) – incorporates applications made under the labor agreement stream, and applications made on or offshore. | $3,150 (Onshore) $2,095 (Offshore) | $3,060 | $8,520 for primary applicants$4,250 for any dependents included in application aged 18 or over with less than functional English (no change) |
| General Skilled Migration | |||
| New Skill Select visa subclasses made on or offshore: 189 – Skilled Independent, 190 – Skilled Nominated, 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) | $2,960 (Offshore) | $3,060 | $4,250 (no change) |
| Skilled – Graduate (Subclass 485) Provisional visa | $270 | $280 | Nil |
Source: Fragomen