Updated Australian Visa Application Charges from 1 July 2025: What You Need to Know
From 1 July 2025, a range of visa application charges and tribunal fees will increase in line with annual indexation and specific government policy changes. Here’s what applicants and sponsors need to know for the 2025-2026 financial year.
Visa Application Charges (VAC) Increase
The Australian Government has confirmed the annual indexation of Visa Application Charges (VAC) under the Migration Amendment (Visa Application Charges) Regulations 2025. Most VACs have increased by 3%, consistent with the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI), and rounded to the nearest $5.
| Visa Type | VAC 2024–25 | New VAC 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| Student (subclass 500) | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Partner (subclass 820/801 & 309/100) | $9,095 | $9,365 |
| Skilled (subclass 189, 190 & 491) | $4,765 | $4,910 |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | $3,115 | $3,210 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | $4,770 | $4,910 |
Tribunal and Court Fee Increases
Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
Application fees for migration and protection visa reviews are also going up under Rule 33 of the Administrative Review Tribunal Rules 2024:
Migration decision review (Part 5, Migration Act 1958):
New fee: $3,580 (up from $3,496)
50% reduced fee (if eligible): $1,790
Protection visa review (Part 7, Migration Act 1958):
New fee: $2,203 (up from $2,151)
(Typically payable only if the application is unsuccessful.)
These fees apply to payments made on or after 1 July 2025, regardless of when the application was lodged.
Federal Circuit Court Fees
From 1 July 2025, filing fees for migration cases in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia will be:
Full fee: $4,015 (up from $3,920)
Reduced fee (if approved under s 2.06A): $2,005 (up from $1,960)
Employer-Sponsored Visas: Income Threshold Updates
Employers sponsoring overseas workers should also be aware of upcoming changes to skilled visa income thresholds:
New income thresholds under the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will apply to certain employer-sponsored visas, including:
Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme)
Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional - Provisional)
These changes affect applications lodged before 7 December 2024
Key Migration Updates Still Awaited
While many key changes have now taken effect, several important updates remain pending as of early July:
State and Territory Nomination Allocations
New nomination allocations for the 2025–26 migration program year are still awaiting release. Until the Department provides further guidance, most state and territory nomination programs remain paused.
Points Test Review
The Australian Government has flagged a review of the Points Test for skilled visas, but no changes have been implemented yet. The existing points system still applies to:
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional - Provisional)
The current minimum score remains at 65 points.
Skilled Occupation Lists
There have been no updates to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), or Regional Occupation List (ROL) in recent years, despite the release of ANZSCO v2022 and the introduction of the new OSCA occupational classification system.
Why Getting Professional Help Matters More Than Ever in 2025-2026
With higher fees and increasingly complex visa policies, lodging a visa application incorrectly could cost thousands of dollars, not just in fees, but also in time delays and lost opportunities.
Here’s why it makes sense to engage a registered migration agent in 2025-2026:
Avoid Costly Mistakes: Mistakes in forms, documentation, or eligibility can lead to refusals or rejections, which means you may face additional fees for reviews or appeals.
Navigate Fee Changes: With fees increasing mid-year, an agent can guide you on the best timing to lodge your application to avoid higher costs where possible.
Expert Knowledge: Visa rules, income thresholds, and concessions can change frequently. Agents stay up to date with every change, including the most recent fee updates and exemptions.
Maximize Your Chances: Whether you're applying for a student visa, employer-sponsored visa, or tribunal review, an agent ensures your case is as strong as possible from the start.
Visa and tribunal costs have been increasing since 1 July 2025, with some fees, particularly for student visas, rising significantly. Visa applicants, sponsors, and migration professionals must factor these updates into their planning.
If you're unsure how these changes may affect your application, speak to a registered migration agent for advice tailored to your situation.
