Introduction
As of 1 July 2025, the Australian government has implemented its annual increase in visa application charges, a change that affects a wide range of visa subclasses. This standard indexation is generally aligned with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and ensures that the fees associated with lodging a visa application cover the administrative and processing costs involved.
For prospective visa applicants, these adjustments have important financial implications that require careful planning and budgeting. This guide provides a complete overview of the new fee structure, offering a detailed breakdown of the increased costs for popular visa categories and the updated charges for lodging an appeal with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
An Overview of the Visa Fee Changes
Why Visa Application Fees Are Increasing
The Australian government adjusts most visa application charges annually as part of a standard indexation review. Consequently, the fee increases that took effect on 1 July 2025 are aligned with the CPI, which reflects changes in the cost of living.
This regular adjustment:
- helps the Department of Home Affairs cover the administrative costs associated with processing visa applications
- supports ongoing improvements to the immigration system, ensuring it operates efficiently
Impact of Fee Changes on Your Application
The increased visa application charges have significant financial implications for prospective applicants. Therefore, it’s essential to budget for these new, higher costs, as all applications lodged on or after 1 July 2025 are subject to the updated fee structure.
Moreover, visa application fees are non-refundable if your application is unsuccessful. With more money at stake, the financial risk of a visa refusal is greater. As a result, submit a complete, accurate, and decision-ready application to avoid:
- losing the non-refundable fee
- incurring the additional expense of lodging an appeal with the ART
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Breakdown of New Visa Application Charges
Student & Graduate Visa Fee Changes
The most significant adjustment in the 1 July 2025 fee changes affects student visas. The application charge for the primary applicant on a Student (subclass 500) visa has seen a substantial 25% increase. This change also impacts the Student Guardian (subclass 590) and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas.
The updated fees for these categories are as follows:
| Visa Category | Applicant Type | New Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Student (subclass 500) & Student Guardian (subclass 590) | Primary Applicant | $2,000 |
| Additional Applicant (18 or over) | $1,225 | |
| Additional Applicant (under 18) | $400 | |
| Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) | Primary Applicant | $2,300 |
| Secondary Applicant (18 or over) | $1,150 | |
| Secondary Applicant (under 18) | $580 |
Partner & Family Visa Fee Changes
Application fees for Partner and Contributory Parent visas have also been adjusted as part of the annual indexation. These changes apply to Partner visas (subclasses 820/801 and 309/100), the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300), and the first instalment for the Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa.
The new application charges for these family-stream visas are:
| Visa Category | Applicant Type / Fee Component | New Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Partner & Prospective Marriage (subclasses 820/801, 309/100, 300) | Main Applicant | $9,365 |
| Additional Applicant (18 or over) | $4,685 | |
| Additional Applicant (under 18) | $2,345 | |
| Contributory Parent (subclass 143) | First Instalment | $5,040 |
Skilled & Work Visa Fee Changes
Skilled and employer-sponsored visas, which are central to Australia’s migration program, have seen fee increases consistent with the general 3% indexation. These adjustments impact popular pathways such as the Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), and employer-sponsored visas like the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Key fee updates for skilled and work visas include:
| Visa Category | Applicant Type | New Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189), Nominated (190) & Work Regional (491) | Main Applicant | $4,910 |
| Additional Applicant (18 or over) | $2,455 | |
| Additional Applicant (under 18) | $1,230 | |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | Main Applicant | $3,210 |
| Additional Applicant (18 or over) | $3,210 | |
| Additional Applicant (under 18) | $805 | |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | Main Applicant | $4,910 |
| Additional Applicant (adult) | $2,455 | |
| Additional Applicant (child) | $1,230 |
Visitor & Other Common Visa Fee Changes
Fees for several other common visa types have also been updated. These include the Visitor (subclass 600) visa for tourism and business purposes, the popular Working Holiday visas (subclasses 417 and 462), and the Bridging Visa B (BVB), which allows temporary travel outside Australia while another visa application is being processed.
The new charges for these visas are:
| Visa Category | Application Details | New Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor (subclass 600) | Lodged outside Australia | $200 |
| Lodged within Australia | $500 | |
| Working Holiday (subclasses 417 & 462) | Standard application | $670 |
| Bridging Visa B | Standard application | $190 |
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Understanding the New Administrative Review Tribunal Fees
Increased Fees for Migration Reviews
If a visa application is refused, applicants may have the right to a review of the decision by lodging an application with the ART. From 1 July 2025, the cost of seeking this review has also increased.
The standard application fee for a Migration Review has risen to $3,580 from the previous fee of $3,496. This covers most visa decisions apart from protection visas.
It is important to note that in cases of financial hardship:
- A 50% reduction of this fee may be available
- This would bring the cost down to $1,790
Increased Fees for Protection Reviews
The application fee for lodging a review of a protection decision with the ART has also been updated. As of 1 July 2025, the fee for a Protection Review has increased to $2,203, up from the previous charge of $2,151.
A key point for applicants to understand is that, in most circumstances, this fee is only payable if the review application is unsuccessful. This arrangement helps ensure that individuals seeking protection are not financially barred from accessing the review process.
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Preparing for the Visa Fee Increases
Budgeting for Your Visa Application
With visa application charges increasing from 1 July 2025, it is essential for prospective visa applicants to plan their finances carefully. Understanding these new financial requirements is a paramount part of preparing for your migration journey, as even modest increases can add up, particularly for families or businesses sponsoring multiple workers.
When budgeting for your visa, remember that the visa application charge is only one component of the total cost. You should also account for other potential expenses to ensure you are fully prepared.
Other associated costs may include:
| Associated Cost | Description |
|---|---|
| Health Checks | Medical examinations are often required and come with their fees. |
| Police Clearances | You will need to obtain police certificates from Australia and any other country you have lived in, which involves separate charges. |
| Biometrics | Some applications require the collection of biometric data, which is an additional expense. |
| Professional Fees | If you engage a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer, their service fees will be in addition to the government charges. |
Why a Decision-Ready Application is Crucial
The increase in visa application fees makes it more critical than ever to submit a complete and accurate application. Since all application fees are non-refundable if your visa is refused, the financial risk associated with an unsuccessful outcome is now significantly higher.
With thousands of dollars at stake, lodging a decision-ready application is the best way to avoid costly mistakes. This means ensuring your application is:
- Well-prepared in advance
- Complete with all required documents
- Supported by compelling evidence that you meet all the criteria for the visa subclass you are applying for
A rushed, or incomplete submission has a higher risk of refusal. This could lead not only to the loss of your initial application fee, but also to the additional expense of lodging an appeal with the ART.
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Conclusion
From 1 July 2025, Australia has increased its visa application charges across most categories, alongside higher fees for appealing decisions to the ART. These non-refundable fee hikes heighten the financial risk of a visa refusal and underscore the importance of submitting a complete, decision-ready application.
Navigating these financial changes requires careful planning to avoid costly errors. For trusted expertise on all visa pathways and appeals, contact the specialist migration lawyers at Moya Migration Law in Adelaide today to secure your best possible outcome.
