Visa Application Charges Rise from 1 July 2026: What Changed and Where the Big Jumps Are

On 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs increased the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for effectively every visa subclass. The new charges are set out in the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 and are already reflected in the Department’s current visa pricing.

This year’s rise goes well beyond routine CPI indexation. Several visas jumped by around 25%, a handful moved even further, and a new lower-cost concession was introduced for eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and certain ASEAN nations. The new charge applies to any application where the charge is paid on or after 1 July 2026.

The Overall Trend

Visa charges have steadily become a revenue lever rather than a simple cost-recovery mechanism, and 2026 continues that pattern. The clearest example is the Student visa, which has climbed from $710 to $1,600, then $2,000, and now $2,500 in the space of a few years. Across the board, the standard (non-concession) rate has risen faster than inflation, and the largest employer-sponsored and family visas have taken the biggest dollar increases.

Where the Biggest Increases Are

The steepest rises land on the most commonly lodged visas. Partner visas (subclasses 300, 309/100 and 820/801) rose from $9,365 to $11,710, an increase of roughly 25%. Employer-sponsored visas moved in step: the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) rose from $3,210 to $4,015 (our 482 visa cost breakdown has the full picture), and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) from $4,910 to $6,140. The Student visa (subclass 500) increased from $2,000 to $2,500.

Family visas were not spared. The Dependent Child visa (subclass 445) rose from $3,235 to $4,040. The standout, however, is the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461), which increased from $445 to $1,330 — almost tripling, and by far the largest proportional jump of any subclass we assist with.

A New Concession for Pacific and ASEAN Applicants

Alongside the increases, the Government introduced a new, lower VAC tier for eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and certain ASEAN member countries who lodge a valid application. It is a welcome measure, but it is narrow — the great majority of applicants continue to pay the standard rate, which is the figure quoted above.

Tribunal and Court Fees Also Increased

The changes are not limited to visa charges. From 1 July 2026, the fee to have a migration decision reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) rose from $3,580 to $3,727, and the protection visa review fee from $2,203 to $2,293. Filing a migration matter in the Federal Circuit Court now costs $4,180, up from $4,015. Review rights are strictly time-limited, so the higher cost is one more reason not to delay if a decision has gone against you.

Our View

The direction of travel is consistent: applying later almost always costs more. If you are ready to lodge, there is little advantage in waiting, and the charge is locked in when it is paid. If your application involves an employer-sponsored visa, the fee increase is only part of the picture; the minimum salary thresholds also rose on 1 July 2026, which we cover in our companion post on employer-sponsored income thresholds.

Every current charge and threshold is maintained on our visa fees and thresholds reference.

If you would like help planning the timing and budget of an application, you are welcome to book a consultation or request a free eligibility call.