Australia Visa Fee Calculator
Calculate Australian visa fees for tourist, student, skilled, and partner visa subclasses. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
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Australian visa fees are structured with a primary applicant fee plus reduced fees for additional applicants. Applicants aged 18 and over pay a higher additional fee than those under 18.
Last reviewed: December 2025
Worked Examples
Example 1: Family Tourist Visa Application
Example 2: Partner Visa with One Dependent
Background & Theory
The Australia Visa Fee Calculator applies the following established principles and formulas. Immigration calculations encompass a complex web of dates, scores, and thresholds that determine legal status and eligibility. The most fundamental calculation is authorised stay duration: an entry date plus the period of admission granted by the border officer, which may differ from visa validity. Visa validity defines the window during which entry is permitted; authorised stay defines how long one may remain after entry. Conflating these two is among the most common and consequential immigration errors. Overstay duration is calculated as the number of days between the authorised departure date and actual departure, and carries severe consequences including multi-year bars on re-entry. For Schengen Area travel, the 90/180-day rule further complicates calculations: visitors may spend no more than 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen member states combined, requiring a sliding window calculation rather than a simple calendar count. Points-based immigration systems apply quantitative scoring to rank applicants competitively. Canada's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) allocates up to 1,200 points across core factors including age (maximum at 20-29), education, Canadian work experience, foreign work experience, and language proficiency. English proficiency converts IELTS band scores to CLB levels and then to CRS points, with CLB 9 representing the threshold for maximum language points. The UK Skilled Worker route requires mandatory points for salary (minimum £26,200 or role-specific threshold), job offer from an approved sponsor, and English proficiency at B1 CEFR level minimum. Passport validity requirements are an underappreciated calculation source. Most countries require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date. Some require validity through the entire authorised stay period plus six months. Biometric appointment scheduling must account for processing lead times of 2-8 weeks depending on location and application type.
History
The history behind the Australia Visa Fee Calculator traces back through the following developments. The 19th century was largely an era of open borders for international migration. The United States imposed almost no restrictions on European immigration, and tens of millions moved across the Atlantic seeking economic opportunity. Ellis Island processed over 12 million arrivals between 1892 and 1954. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a notable exception, marking the first significant federal restriction based on national origin. World War I disrupted migration patterns and introduced passport requirements that had not previously been systematically enforced. The postwar period brought the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924, which established national-origin quotas explicitly designed to favour Northern and Western European immigrants while severely restricting arrivals from Southern and Eastern Europe and virtually banning Asian immigration. World War II generated massive displacement. The 1951 UN Refugee Convention, drafted in its aftermath, established the legal definition of a refugee and the principle of non-refoulement, prohibiting return of refugees to places where they face persecution. It remains the foundational international instrument governing refugee protection. The US Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished national-origin quotas, replacing them with a preference system favouring family reunification and skilled workers. This fundamentally redirected immigration flows toward Latin America and Asia. The Schengen Agreement of 1985, implemented in 1995, eliminated passport controls between participating European nations, creating the world's largest free movement area. The September 11, 2001 attacks triggered sweeping security reforms. The Department of Homeland Security absorbed immigration functions, biometric data collection became mandatory, and visa screening intensified significantly. Brexit in 2020 ended UK participation in EU free movement, prompting the introduction of a new points-based system in January 2021. Post-COVID, many countries accelerated digital nomad visa programs to attract remote workers, creating a new visa category requiring its own set of income threshold and duration calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Formula
Total = (Primary Fee x Applicants) + (18+ Additional Fee x Count) + (Under 18 Fee x Count)
Australian visa fees are structured with a primary applicant fee plus reduced fees for additional applicants. Applicants aged 18 and over pay a higher additional fee than those under 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Australian tourist visa cost?
The Australian tourist visa subclass 600 costs AUD 190 per applicant as of the current fee schedule. This fee applies to each person included in the application, including children. Additional charges may apply for biometrics collection in certain countries. The fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the visa is granted or refused. Processing times typically range from a few days to several weeks depending on the applicant country and time of year. Some nationalities may be eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority subclass 601 which has a lower service charge of AUD 20.
What is the difference between the old and new partner visa fees?
The Australian partner visa is one of the most expensive visa categories and is processed in two stages. The combined application for subclass 820 temporary partner visa and subclass 801 permanent partner visa costs AUD 8,850 for the primary applicant. Additional applicants aged 18 and over cost AUD 4,430 each, while those under 18 cost AUD 2,215 each. These fees have increased significantly over the years and are adjusted annually. The two-stage processing means applicants typically wait two to three years for the permanent visa to be assessed after the temporary visa is granted.
Are Australian visa fees refundable if my application is refused?
Australian visa application charges are generally non-refundable. Once you submit your application and pay the fee, the Department of Home Affairs retains the payment regardless of the outcome. This applies even if your visa is refused or if you withdraw your application after lodgement. There are very limited circumstances where a refund may be available, such as if you paid the wrong fee amount or if the department made an error in processing. It is therefore important to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria before applying and to provide complete and accurate documentation with your initial application.
How often do Australian visa fees change?
The Australian Department of Home Affairs typically reviews and updates visa application charges annually, usually on the first of July each financial year. Increases generally align with the Consumer Price Index, though some visa categories may see larger increases based on policy decisions. For example, certain skilled migration and family visa fees have seen above-inflation increases in recent years. It is important to check the current fees on the official Home Affairs website immediately before lodging your application, as the fee applicable is the one in effect at the time of lodgement. Australia Visa Fee Calculator uses approximate current fees for estimation purposes.
What additional costs should I consider beyond the visa application fee?
Beyond the base visa application charge, you should budget for several additional costs. Health examinations are required for most visa types and cost approximately AUD 300 to 500 per person depending on the panel clinic. Police clearance certificates from each country you have lived in may cost AUD 40 to 100 each. English language tests like IELTS cost around AUD 395. Skills assessments for skilled migration visas range from AUD 500 to 1,500 depending on the assessing authority. Migration agent fees if you use professional help can range from AUD 1,000 to 10,000 or more depending on the complexity of your case.
Is my data stored or sent to a server?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data you enter is ever transmitted to any server or stored anywhere. Your inputs remain completely private.
References
Reviewed by Abdullah, Technical Content Specialist · Editorial policy