Australia Visa Cost Calculator
Find the application fee, processing time and key requirements for Australian visas. Covers student, working holiday, partner, skilled and visitor visa types.
Select Visa Type
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Application Fee
$710
Processing Time
4-12 weeks
Visa Validity
Duration of course + 6 months
Key Requirements
- -Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from Australian institution
- -Proof of financial capacity (usually AUD $21,000-27,000/year tuition)
- -Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS 5.5+)
- -Health insurance (OSHC) required for visa validity
- -Character assessment required
Work Allowance
20 hours/week during semester, unlimited during breaks
For: International students
You're planning to study at an Australian university or vocational institution. The visa requires health insurance and valid enrolment confirmation.
Additional Costs to Consider
- +Health check (medical examination): AUD $200-600
- +Skills assessment (for skilled visas): AUD $300-2,000
- +English language test (IELTS/TOEFL): AUD $300-400
- +Character certificate from home country: AUD $0-100
- +Visa agency fees (if using agent): AUD $500-3,000
- +OSHC (student health insurance): AUD $3,000-8,000/year
Important Notes
- *Visa fees are current as of March 2026 and may be indexed annually
- *Processing times are approximate; actual times vary based on application complexity
- *Eligibility varies by country of citizenship (e.g., working holiday visa availability)
- *Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the latest requirements
- *This is general information only; seek professional immigration advice for your situation
Major Australian Visa Categories
Tourist visas (subclass 600/601/651): $190 for short Visitor visa, ETA $20 (online), eVisitor free. Most travellers from UK, Ireland, EU, NZ use eVisitor or ETA. Working Holiday visas (subclass 417/462) for 18-30 year olds: $650 application fee, valid 12 months. Student visas (subclass 500): $710 base fee plus subclass-specific add-ons.
Skilled migration visas: 189 (Skilled Independent) $4,640 base, 190 (state-nominated) $4,640, 491 (regional) $4,640. Partner visas: $9,095 (offshore) or $9,095 (onshore), with second-stage fee $1,710 if granted temporary first. Most expensive routes are family/spouse migration which can total $10-15k including health checks, English tests, and police clearances.
Hidden Costs Beyond the Application Fee
Health checks: $300-500 per applicant (mandatory for permanent visa applicants). English tests: $300-450 (IELTS, PTE) - often required for skilled and partner visas. Police checks: $50-300 per country lived in for more than 12 months as adult. Skills assessments (for skilled visa applicants): $300-1,500 depending on profession.
Migration agent fees: $3,000-8,000 typical for complex applications (skilled migration, partner visas). Not strictly required but most applicants use them for partner and skilled visas due to documentation complexity. Total cost for a permanent migration application often $8,000-20,000 inclusive of all fees and professional services.
Processing Times
Tourist visas: usually 1-30 days for ETA/eVisitor; 14-50 days for full Visitor. Working Holiday: 1-30 days. Student visas: typically 1-3 months, sometimes faster for compliant applications. Skilled visas: 6-18 months for offshore, 1-3 years for some onshore. Partner visas: 12-30 months in 2024-25.
Processing time queues vary with departmental capacity and policy priorities. Skilled occupation list updates can shift priorities mid-process. Track application status via your ImmiAccount login. Don't make travel plans dependent on visa grants until visa is officially granted - delays are common.
After the First Visa
Onshore visa changes (extending or switching) often have separate fee schedules. Bridging visa fees vary. Citizenship application: $530 fee plus $300 ceremony fee. Permanent residency converts to citizenship eligibility after 4 years residency (with at least 12 months as PR), with English proficiency and citizenship test required.
Future fee changes: Australian visa fees increase nearly every July (start of fiscal year). Year-on-year increases of 5-10% are common. Plan applications knowing the fee may rise mid-process if delays occur. The [Australia Centrelink Estimator](/australia-centrelink-estimator) covers post-arrival income support eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for any visa myself?
Yes - you can apply for any visa without a migration agent. Department of Home Affairs publishes detailed guides. Simple visas (visitor, working holiday) most people self-lodge. Complex visas (skilled, partner) where small mistakes cause years of delay - many people use migration agents.
Are migration agents worth it?
For straightforward applications, no. For partner visas, complex skilled migration, or any case with previous visa refusals, yes. A skilled MARA-registered agent can prevent costly mistakes. Cost $3-8k typical; saves much more if it prevents refusal and reapplication.
What if my visa application is refused?
You can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART, formerly AAT). Application fee around $3,000. Decision often takes 18-36 months. Some refusals can be addressed by reapplication with corrected information; others need formal appeal. Refusals on character grounds are particularly difficult to overcome.
Do visas come with work rights?
Tourist visas: no work rights typically. Working Holiday: full work rights for 12 months. Student: 24 hours/week during study, full-time during scheduled breaks. Skilled visas (189, 190, 491): full work rights. Bridging visas: condition-specific - check the grant notice.
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