Cost of Moving to Australia in 2026: Official Fees
Australia's visa charges are paid up front, and for permanent visas they run to thousands of dollars. A skilled visa costs more than six thousand Australian dollars for the main applicant alone, and a partner visa AUD11,710.00. This guide lists the charge for each main visa from the Department of Home Affairs pricing table, then adds the funds you must show, wage and rent benchmarks, and the border rules for your belongings, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
A Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) costs AUD6,135.00 for the main applicant, an employer-sponsored Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) AUD4,015.00, a Student visa AUD2,500.00, a first Working Holiday visa AUD840.00 and a Partner visa AUD11,710.00. Working holiday makers usually need about AUD5,000 in funds. The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026. Household goods you have owned and used for 12 months can qualify for the personal effects concession.
1. Visa application charges
| Visa | Main applicant | Additional applicant 18 and over | Additional applicant under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189), points tested | AUD6,135.00 | AUD3,070.00 | AUD1,540.00 |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | AUD6,140.00 | AUD3,070.00 | AUD1,535.00 |
| Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) | AUD6,140.00 | AUD3,070.00 | AUD1,535.00 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | AUD6,140.00 | AUD3,070.00 | AUD1,535.00 |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482), Core Skills stream | AUD4,015.00 | AUD4,015.00 | AUD1,005.00 |
| Student (subclass 500) | AUD2,500.00 | AUD1,530.00 | AUD500.00 |
| Temporary Graduate (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream | AUD5,750.00 | AUD2,875.00 | AUD1,450.00 |
| Partner (subclass 309/100 or 820/801) | AUD11,710.00 | AUD5,860.00 | AUD2,935.00 |
| Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462), first visa | AUD840.00 | — | — |
| Visitor (subclass 600), tourist stream, outside Australia | AUD250.00 | — | — |
A second or third working holiday visa costs AUD1,000.00. A subsequent temporary application charge of AUD700.00 can apply to some further applications made in Australia.
Short visits
- Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601): a service charge of AUD20 to use the Australian ETA app, with no other charge. Passports that qualify include those of the United States, Canada and British citizens.
- eVisitor (subclass 651): free, for British citizens and citizens of the listed European countries.
Both allow stays of up to 3 months at a time.
2. Salary thresholds for sponsored workers
| Threshold | Nominations lodged 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 | The year before |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold | AUD79,423 | AUD76,515 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold | AUD146,576 | AUD141,210 |
A worker in the Core Skills stream must be paid the annual market salary rate for the occupation, and no less than the threshold.
3. Funds to show
For a first working holiday visa you must have enough money to support yourself and to leave Australia at the end of your stay. Home Affairs puts this at usually about AUD5,000 for the initial stay, plus the fare to where you are going afterwards.
4. What work pays
| Benchmark | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Minimum Wage, from 1 July 2026 | $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week |
| Average weekly ordinary time earnings, full-time adults, May 2026 | $2,083.70 |
Average earnings rose 3.7% over the year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
5. Rent
As one benchmark, the Victorian government's rental report for the September quarter of 2025 put the median weekly rent at $580 in metropolitan Melbourne and $470 in regional Victoria.
6. Shipping your belongings
The Australian Border Force calls goods you ship separately unaccompanied personal effects. They can enter under a concession if conditions are met:
- Arrange transport before you arrive. The goods are only eligible if you organised their shipment before arriving in Australia.
- Own and use them for 12 months. Furniture, household goods and personal effects must have been owned and used for 12 months before your departure. Personal clothing and footwear have no such requirement.
- Lodge a B534 form, the Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement, with a packing list and shipping documents.
- Expect a biosecurity assessment. Items made from plants or animals, such as wooden furniture, or that have touched soil, such as bike tyres and golf clubs, get particular attention. Cleaning, treatment, export or destruction is at your expense.
7. How long it takes
| Visa | 50% processed in | 90% processed in |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday (subclass 417) | 2 Days | 58 Days |
| Work and Holiday (subclass 462) | 3 Days | 44 Days |
| Skills in Demand (482), Core Skills | 4 Months | 9 Months |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189), points tested | 61 Days | 8 Months |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | 4 Months | 16 Months |
These are readings from the Home Affairs processing time tool on 13 October 2026. Home Affairs also says it is normalising working holiday processing, with an average expected to be around three months, so do not book flights until the visa is granted.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Australian visa cost in 2026?
AUD6,135.00 for a Skilled Independent visa, AUD4,015.00 for a Skills in Demand visa, AUD2,500.00 for a Student visa and AUD840.00 for a first Working Holiday visa.
How much is an Australian partner visa?
AUD11,710.00 for the main applicant, with AUD5,860.00 for an additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD2,935.00 for one under 18.
How much money do I need for a working holiday in Australia?
Usually about AUD5,000 for your initial stay, plus the fare onward, on top of the AUD840.00 visa charge.
What salary do I need for an Australian work visa?
For the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa, at least AUD79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and no less than the market salary rate.
Can I ship my furniture to Australia without paying duty?
Furniture and household goods can qualify for the unaccompanied personal effects concession if you have owned and used them for 12 months and arranged the shipment before you arrived.
What is the minimum wage in Australia?
$26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week, as of 1 July 2026.
How much is rent in Melbourne?
The median weekly rent in metropolitan Melbourne was $580 in the Victorian government's report for the September quarter of 2025.
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Current visa pricing table
- Department of Home Affairs — First Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- Department of Home Affairs — Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
- Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- Department of Home Affairs — Visa processing times
- Australian Border Force — Unaccompanied personal effects
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Minimum wages
- Australian Bureau of Statistics — Average weekly earnings
- Victorian Government — Rental report
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Visa charges change, so check the pricing table before you apply. Information, not financial advice.