Circumventing the complex landscape of visa fees for Australia can be a challenge for potential migrants, tourists, and students alike. Australia offers various visas, each tailored to different purposes and personal circumstances, resulting in varying costs.

The charges of an Australian visa can vary considerably based on the type of visa, the number of applicants, and additional services such as expedited processing. Whether you’re applying for a tourist visa, student visa, employment visa, or permanent residence, you must know the potential costs involved.

Typically, visa fees consist of base application dues, which are mandatory for all applicants, and additional charges that may apply depending on specific requirements.

Let’s explore the various visa categories and their associated dues to give you a clear understanding of what to expect.

Australian Visas: Installment Charges

For many Australian visas, the complete payment process is divided into multiple installments to make it more manageable for candidates. This system ensures that the applicants only pay a fraction of the total fee upfront, with the remainder due at later stages of the application process.

First Installment Visa Fee

You pay this amount when submitting your completed visa application. Remember, you must pay the first installment to ensure the processing of your application.

The first installment of the visa fee covers several essential components:

• Base Application Fee: The primary tariff applies to every visa applicant. The amount varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for. For instance, you pay less for a temporary visa than for a permanent residence visa.
• Additional Applicant Charge: If you include family members or dependents in your application, an extra charge applies for each candidate. This fee also varies based on the age of the additional applicants (e.g., adult vs. minor).
• Subsequent Temporary Application Charge: This is a specific tariff for candidates applying for a temporary visa while holding another interim visa. It’s an additional charge in addition to the base application fee and other applicable charges.
• Non-Internet Application Charge: In some cases, candidates unable to complete and submit an online application can file a paper application after paying extra charges. This fee covers the additional administrative costs associated with processing paper applications.

Second Installment Visa Fee

The second installment of the visa fee is paid later in the application process for successful visa requisitions. This installment can vary significantly depending on the type of visa and the specific conditions met by the applicant.

Typically, the second installment fee is associated with health assessments, marriage certificates, character checks, name change certificates, and other specific evidence that must be produced for certain visas.

Once the application progresses and it is determined that the second installment is required, the candidate will receive a formal notification from the Department of Home Affairs.

This notification will give the date on which the dues are to be paid, along with instructions on transferring the funds.

Conditions for Exemption from the Second Installment

Not all petitioners are required to pay the second installment fee. Exemptions are possible under certain conditions, such as:

• Meeting English Language Proficiency: For some visas, if the primary candidate and their dependents demonstrate functional English language proficiency, they may be exempt from the second installment.
• Health and Character Eligibility: Candidates who meet all health and character requirements without additional assessments may not need to pay the second installment.
• Special Circumstances: Certain visas may have provisions for waiving the second installment under specific humanitarian or compassionate circumstances.

How Much is the Australian Visa Fees?

Here’s what you should know about the applicable fees:

Base Application Fees

Applying for an Australian visa incurs various base application fees, which vary depending on the type of visa and the applicant’s country of residence (whether applying from within Australia or outside Australia).

These dues are indicative and subject to change. It’s crucial to check the latest fee schedule on the official website or consult a registered migration agent for additional information.

Additional Applicant Charges

The additional applicant charges vary based on the visa type, the candidate’s age, and whether the application is made from a different country or within Australia.

• Visa Type: Different visa types have varying additional applicant charges. For instance, student and family members’ visas may exhibit different fee structures.
• Age of the Candidate: Charges also differ based on whether the additional candidate is an adult or a minor (under 18). Generally, dues for a dependent child are lower than those for adults.
• Application Location: The fees can also vary depending on whether the application is lodged in another country or within Australia.

In some cases, fees may not be distinguished based on location, but verifying this for each visa type is essential.

What is a Subsequent Temporary Application Cost?

The subsequent temporary application tariff is applicable when a person applies for a new temporary visa if they previously held or already have another temporary visa in Australia.

This price ensures the applicant covers the processing costs of assessing and granting a new temporary visa.

Here are the conditions under which this charge applies:

1. Already Holding a Temporary Visa

The charges apply if the applicant is currently in Australia on a temporary visa and wishes to apply for another visa without departing Australia.

1. Different Visa Subclass

The subsequent temporary application tariff may vary depending on the subclass of the visa being applied for. Verifying the specific subclass requirements is essential to determine if these charges apply.

Here is a list of Australian visa types that require these charges:

• Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (subclass 482)
• Student Visa (subclass 500)
• Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)

What is the Non-Internet Application Charge?

This is an additional applicant charge imposed on visa petitioners who submit their applications via paper rather than online.

While most candidates must pay the non-internet application charge when submitting paper applications, certain exemptions exist. Petitioners who fall under the following categories may be exempted from this charge:

• ImmiAccount Technical Issues: If candidates experience technical issues preventing them from submitting their application online through ImmiAccount, they may be exempted from the non-internet application charge.
• Humanitarian or Compassionate Grounds: Candidates applying for visas on humanitarian grounds (where the circumstances prevent them from lodging their application online) may also be exempted.
• Limited Access to the Internet: Candidates with limited Internet access due to geographical or other practical constraints may be exempt from the non-internet application charge.
• Exceptional Circumstances: Other exceptional circumstances that prevent an applicant from lodging an online application may be considered for exemption, subject to the discretion of the immigration section.

Applicants seeking exemption from the non-internet application charge should provide relevant documents or evidence supporting their claim when submitting their application.

How Should Visa Applicants Pay Visa Application Charges for Australia?

Here are the steps for paying online and via deposit:

Online Payment

When applying for an Australian visa online through ImmiAccount:

1. Log into ImmiAccount: Access your ImmiAccount using your registered login details.
2. Select Visa Application: Navigate to the application section where you need to pay the dues.
3. Payment Options: Choose the online payment option available in ImmiAccount. Accepted methods typically include credit or debit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
4. Surcharge: Credit card transactions may incur a currency conversion tariff. Check the current tariff schedule for the applicable surcharge rates.
5. Notify Your Bank: Before making the transaction, inform your bank of the upcoming transaction to prevent any potential issues with card authorization.

Deposit for Paper Applications

For applicants opting to submit paper applications, remittances must be made through these methods:

• Bank Draft or Money Order: Prepare a bank draft or money order payable to the relevant Australian Government office. Personal checks and cash remittances are generally not accepted.
• Include Payment with Application: When submitting your paper application form to the designated office, ensure the deposit accompanies it.

Checks and cash are typically not accepted for visa requests due to security and processing constraints.

Refunds and Corrections

If your visa petition is rejected, you may get a refund of the application fee. The refund policy typically stipulates that the base tariff is refundable, but additional charges (such as visa label charges or biometric collection tariff) may not be refundable.

If you made an incorrect deposit for your application charges:

• Immediately notify the relevant processing office about the discrepancy.
• Submit any necessary documents or evidence to back your claim of incorrect deposit.
• Request a correction or adjustment of the premium. The Department of Home Affairs will guide you through the next steps to rectify the error.

Changes in Australia Visa Fees

Visa charges in Australia are subject to review by the government and Australian border force after a certain period. These reviews assess safety, processing times, costs, inflation, and economic conditions to determine if adjustments to visa charges are necessary.

Potential changes in visa charges can include modifications to specific components of the visa petition fees. Such adjustments ensure that the fees adequately cover the costs of processing applications and delivering related services.

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Visa Fees

The ETA visa is an electronically stored authorization for travel to Australia that eligible passport holders can lodge via the Australian ETA app.

The fee structure for the ETA Visa applications consists of the following:

1. Base Application Tariff: The base tariff for an ETA visa application varies depending on the applicant’s nationality and the type of ETA subclass applied for. Currently, the standard tariff for most ETA subclasses is AUD 20.
2. Service Charge: Candidates must pay a service charge in addition to the base tariff to process their ETA visa application. The service charge is AUD 20 for most petitioners.
3. Total Expense: Therefore, the total amount payable for an ETA visa application is the sum of the base tariff and the service charge, amounting to AUD 40 in most cases.

Your Trip to Australia Awaits!

Understanding Australia’s visa fees is crucial for anyone planning to visit or relocate to the country without any risk. The fee structure varies widely depending on the type of visa and the individual’s circumstances, such as age and location of application.

It’s important to note that visa fees can include:

• Base fees.
• Additional charges for dependents.
• Subsequent temporary petition tariffs.
• Non-internet application charges.

Staying informed about these costs and any updates is key for accurate budgeting and compliance with immigration regulations when traveling to other countries.

Stay ahead of the game with up-to-date information on Australia’s visa fees to ensure your travel plans go off without a hitch. Whether planning a short visit or a long-term stay, being well-informed about the latest fees and policies will help you easily navigate the application.

For expert guidance and assistance with your visa application, choose AlliedPassport.com today and make your journey to Australia a breeze!