June 30 2026:
Visa and Citizenship Fees Just Went Up – Here’s What Changed on 1 July 2026
If you lodged an application before today, you locked in the old price.
The Government moved on fees faster than businesses could prepare for. From 1 July 2026, the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 is in force – and it touches almost every part of the migration and citizenship fee landscape. Here’s the practical breakdown.
Visa Application Charges: a broad increase, with a new Pacific concession
Visa application charges have increased across dozens of visa subclasses – partner, parent, employer-sponsored, skilled independent, student, prospective marriage, working holiday, and more. Most base application charges and additional applicant charges have also moved up, so travelling with family makes applications more expensive.
The standout structural change: a new “Pacific-regional country” concession now applies across skilled, employer-sponsored, and student visa streams. Passport holders from Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Marshal Islands pay materially lower charges – often $1,000–$2,000+ less – with proportionately lower family-member charges too. A parallel concession applies to Subclass 500 Student visa applicants from ASEAN countries, who pay $2,050 against the new standard rate of $2,500.
For employers: if you’re sponsoring talent from the Pacific region, your cost base just improved. If not, budget for the general increase across your sponsorship pipeline.
The numbers that matter most: common visa categories
Below is a quick snapshot of common visa categories and their new 1 July application charges.
Additional Applicants often refer to family members (eg spouse/children) so you will need to factor in these charges, if you are travelling or migrating with your family unit.
| Visas# | Primary Applicant | Additional Applicants (eg family members) |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Nominated (subclass 186) Visa (Permanent Residence) | $AUD6,140 | $AUD3,070 (18years+) / $AUD1,535 |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189/190) Visa (Permanent Residence) | $AUD6,135 / $AUD6,140 | $AUD3,070 (18years+) / $AUD1,535 |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Visa (temporary) | $AUD4,015 | $AUD4,015 (18years+) / $AUD1,005 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) | $AUD6,140 | $AUD3,070 (18years+) / $AUD1,535 |
| Training Visa (subclass 407) | $AUD535 | $AUD535 (18years+) / $AUD135 |
| Spouse Partner (subclass 820/801)(subclass 309/100) / Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) | $AUD11,710 | $AUD5,860 (18years+) / $AUD2,935 |
| Student (subclass 500) visa (non-ELICOS)* | $AUD2,500 | $AUD1,530 (18years+) / $AUD500 |
| Working Holiday- First (subclass 417 / subclass 462) | $AUD840 | |
| Working Holiday – Second & Third (subclass 417 / subclass 462) | $AUD1,000 | |
| Notes: | #Lower charges applies to defined Pacific nations *Lower charges applies to defined ASEAN nations Contact us for advice |
Citizenship Fees: modest but real increases
Australian citizenship fees are lifted – including the standard conferral application fee ($370 → $380), the concessional fee ($150 → $160), resumption and renunciation fees, and several other items by $10–$20 each. These apply to applications made on or after 1 July 2026 under the transitional provisions, so anything lodged before that date is assessed at the old rate.
HR Attention Required
Practical Steps for Employers:
1. Review your sponsorship pipeline: Identify visa roles and check salaries against 1 July income thresholds. Read more link below.
2. Check internal approvals: Ensure budgets and sign-offs are in place.
3. Align recruitment & sponsorship: Coordinate hiring timelines with immigration requirements.
4. Seek guidance: Understanding changes reduces risk and keeps your recruitment plan on track.
If you need assistance or have any questions about these changes, contact us today for expert support in lodging your visa and citizenship applications.
