Australia's 2026 Visa Charge Increase: A Cost Briefing for Professionals Planning the Move from the Gulf
News · 2026-08-06 · 3 min read
If an employer-sponsored role in Australia is part of your next move, the price of applying has changed. Whether you are currently based in Dubai, Doha or Riyadh, it pays to know the updated government charges before you commit to a budget.
From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government lifted its application charges for almost all visa types. Any application lodged on or after that date attracts the higher rate.
Applications Already in the System
Does this affect visas already lodged? No. If you lodged before 1 July 2026, the earlier fee still applies, even while your case is being processed. The revised charges affect only applications lodged from 1 July 2026 onward.
Revised Charges at a Glance
Below is what the main applicant pays, from work visas through to what student and graduate visas now cost.
| Visa category | Visa | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Employer sponsored | Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) | $4,015 (previously $3,210) |
| Employer sponsored | Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) | $6,140 |
| Employer sponsored | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) | $6,140 |
| Skilled migration | Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) | $6,135 |
| Skilled migration | Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) | $6,140 |
| Skilled migration | Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) | $6,140 |
| Student and graduate | Student Visa (Subclass 500) | $2,500 |
| Student and graduate | Student Guardian (Subclass 590) | $2,500 |
| Student and graduate | Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) | $5,750 |
| Partner | Partner Visa | $11,710 |
At $11,710, the Partner Visa now costs more than any other government charge in the system. Keep in mind, too, that relocating with a husband, wife or children means a separate charge for every additional family member, payable on top of the amounts shown.
A Worked Household Example
As a quick illustration, picture a household of three applying together for a Skilled Independent (189) visa: the main applicant, a spouse and one child. The government charges by themselves add up to $10,745.
That total does not yet include several other costs most applicants face:
- English language tests
- Skills assessments
- Medical examinations
- Police clearance certificates
Why Skilled Demand Isn't Going Anywhere
The good news is that higher charges have not altered the underlying picture. Australia continues to face shortages of skilled workers, most notably in carpentry, electrical work, mechanics, welding, chef roles, butchery, HVAC, nursing, engineering and Heavy Vehicle Mechanics.
Thousands of employer-sponsored positions remain open to qualified applicants from overseas.
Planning Your Budget with Confidence
Treat the government charge as just one line in your plan, set aside funds for testing, assessments, medicals and police checks, and confirm current figures with official Australian Government sources before you lodge.
When you are ready to explore visa sponsorship and Australia jobs from Dubai or elsewhere in the Gulf, browse current vacancies with accredited Australian employers offering genuine sponsorship.
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