Published on July 24, 2026
For the Indian diaspora in Australia, life often revolves around visas. There’s always something in motion: extending a current visa, applying for a new visa category for family members already here, or sponsoring loved ones back home to come and visit. So when the Australian visa fees jump suddenly, it can feel overwhelming. We understand that feeling, and that’s exactly why we’ve put together this guide, so you know exactly what’s changed and can plan ahead with confidence.
According to the Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au), visa application charges increased across almost every visa category, effective 1 July 2026, as part of the broader australian visa fee increase 2026. Below, we break down Australia visa fees for Indian travellers, covering students, workers, and visitors planning to travel to or settle in Australia.
So, how much does Australia visa cost for Indians right now? It depends on the visa category, but this guide gives you the exact numbers to work from, category by category.
Why are the Australia visa fees going up?
Part of the reasoning tied to the increase relates to skilled migration settings. Income thresholds used to assess skilled visa sponsorships, including the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), rose to AUD 79,499, while the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) rose to AUD 146,717, in line with wage growth for Australian workers, so that sponsored migrants aren’t paid less than the local workforce for the same role. Alongside these wage benchmarks, the government also lifted the visa application charges themselves as part of its broader migration settings for the 2026–27 program.
Applications lodged before 1 July 2026 are assessed under the old fee schedule, no matter when a decision is made. Fees are locked in based on the date Home Affairs receives your application, not the date you prepare your documents, sit an English test, or get a Confirmation of Enrolment. So if you’re close to lodging, timing matters.
Keep in mind: these are base government application charges only. They don’t include costs like medical exams, police checks, English language tests, or migration agent fees, all of which add to the total cost of your application.
Understanding the Australia visa cost increase impact on Indian travellers matters because it changes how much you now need to set aside before you even begin your application, whether you’re studying, working, or simply visiting family.
New Australia visa fees for Indian student passport holders
The Student visa (Subclass 500) is one of the most significant increases for Indian nationals planning to study in Australia.
| Student Visa Category | Old Fee (before 1 July 2026) | New Fee (from 1 July 2026) |
| Standard Subclass 500 (primary applicant) | AUD 2,000 | AUD 2,500 |
| ELICOS / Non-Award sector students | N/A | AUD 2,050 |
| Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) | AUD 4,600 | AUD 5,750 |
This is the second consecutive yearly increase to the Subclass 500 fee. It had already risen from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000 the year before. The 485 Temporary Graduate visa has climbed even more sharply, effectively increasing around two and a half times since early 2026 across two separate hikes.
What this means for Indian students: on top of tuition and living-cost requirements, the visa charge is now a much bigger line item to budget for upfront, and it’s non-refundable even if your application is refused. If you’re planning to study in Australia, it’s worth locking in your application as early as your documentation allows, since a rushed, incomplete application risks paying the fee twice.
Some concessions still apply. Eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste, and certain ASEAN countries may qualify for reduced pricing. This generally does not apply to Indian passport holders, but it’s worth checking your eligibility on the official Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
New Australia visa fees for Indian worker passport holders
Skilled and employer-sponsored visas, the pathways most relevant to Indian professionals working or planning to work in Australia, also saw substantial increases.
| Skilled/Work Visa Category | Old Fee (before 1 July 2026) | New Fee (from 1 July 2026) |
| Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) | AUD 4,910 | AUD 6,135 |
| Skilled Nominated/Regional (190/491/494) and Employer Nomination (186) | N/A | AUD 6,135–6,140 |
| Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482, all streams) | AUD 3,210 | AUD 4,015 |
| 482 additional applicant (partner/adult dependant) | N/A | AUD 4,015 |
| 482 additional applicant (child under 18) | N/A | AUD 1,005 |
What this means for Indian professionals: for families applying together under a skilled pathway (primary applicant plus partner and children), the combined government fees can now add up to well over AUD 13,000, before any migration agent, skills assessment, or English test costs.
If you’re applying for a partner or family visa alongside your work visa, note that the Partner visa (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100) base charge also rose sharply, from AUD 9,365 to AUD 11,710, with additional applicant charges of AUD 5,860 for those 18 and over, and AUD 2,935 for children under 18.
New Australia visa fees for Indian visitor passport holders
If you’re planning a family visit, holiday, or business trip to Australia, the Visitor visa (Subclass 600) fees have also gone up from 1 July 2026.
| Visitor Visa Category | Old Fee (before 1 July 2026) | New Fee (from 1 July 2026) |
| Tourist stream (offshore application) | AUD 200 | AUD 250 |
| Onshore visitor applications | N/A | AUD 630 |
| Frequent Traveller stream | N/A | AUD 1,845 |
| eVisitor (Subclass 651, for eligible passports) | Free | Free (unchanged) |
| ETA (Subclass 601, for eligible passports) | AUD 20 | AUD 20 (unchanged) |
What this means for Indian visitors: since Indian passport holders aren’t eligible for the free eVisitor or the low-cost ETA (those are reserved for a limited list of passports), most Indian travellers applying to visit family in Australia will pay the standard Tourist stream charge. The good news is that, compared to the jumps in student and skilled visa fees, this increase is relatively modest in absolute terms.
If you’re applying while already inside Australia (for example, extending a stay to spend more time with family), be aware the onshore application charge is considerably higher than applying from India. Where possible, it’s worth applying for the length of stay you actually need before you travel, rather than planning to extend once you’ve arrived.
Also budget separately for Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) if your visa carries Condition 8501, which requires visitors to hold adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay. This is a separate cost from the visa application charge itself.
Our advice: plan early, budget wider
Whether you’re a student heading to Melbourne, a skilled worker preparing a sponsorship application, a family planning to reunite in Australia, or simply visiting loved ones for a holiday, the biggest takeaway from this update is simple: build the visa fee into your budget early, and don’t wait until the last minute to lodge.
These new Australia visa fees for Indian passport holders touch every stage of the journey, from the first student visa application through to skilled work, family reunion, and holiday visits. If you’re still asking how much Australia visa fees in 2026 are, the short answer is that it depends on your visa type and stream, but the tables above give you concrete figures to plan around.
Fee estimates can vary depending on your specific visa stream, passport, and family composition, so always confirm your exact charge using the official Visa Pricing Estimator before you apply.
No. Your application is assessed under the fee schedule that applied on the date Home Affairs received it, regardless of when a decision is made. If you lodged before 1 July 2026, you pay the old fee.
The standard Subclass 500 fee is AUD 2,500 for most applicants, up from AUD 2,000. ELICOS and Non-Award sector students pay a lower AUD 2,050.
The Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) fee rose to AUD 6,135, and the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) fee rose to AUD 4,015 for the primary applicant. Fees for 190, 491, 494, and 186 sit in a similar AUD 6,135 to 6,140 range.
The standard Tourist stream fee is AUD 250 for offshore applications, up from AUD 200. Applying while already in Australia costs more, at AUD 630.
No. Visa application charges are non-refundable, even if the application is refused. This makes it worth preparing a complete, accurate application the first time rather than risking a rushed one.
No. The figures above are government application charges only. Costs like medical exams, police checks, English language tests, Overseas Visitor Health Cover, and migration agent fees are all separate and add to the total.
Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator on the Department of Home Affairs website. It calculates the exact charge based on your passport, visa subclass, stream, and family members included.
This article is for general informational purposes and reflects visa pricing published by the Department of Home Affairs as at July 2026. Visa fees and policy settings can change. Always confirm current pricing directly with Home Affairs before lodging your application.