Following the release of the Federal Budget for 2015-16, increases in visa application charges (VAC) that apply from 1 July 2015 have been announced by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).

The visa application charge increases include:

  • 2.3% for General Skilled Migration, Skilled Graduate, 457, Visitor and Student streams
  • 5% for Temporary Short Term Business, Entertainment, Working Holiday, RRV, Retirement and Contributory Parent streams
  • 10% for Remaining Relative, Carer and Aged Dependent Relative and (non-contributory) Parent visa streams, and
  • 50% for Significant Investor Visas.

Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA), eVisitor and Refugee and Humanitarian visas will not be affected by these changes.

The Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa-subclass 457 VAC will increase by A$25 from 1 July 2015 for each main applicant and adult dependant, and the Temporary Work (Short Stay) visa-subclass 400 VAC will increase by A$10 from 1 July 2015 for the main applicant and by A$5 for adult and child dependants.

A list of employee sponsored and business visa application charge increases include:

Subclass Subclass name New  visa application charge
(Effective from 1 July 2015)
Current  visa application charge

 
    Primary applicant Adult
dependant

Child
dependant

 

Primary applicant

Adult dependant

 

Child
dependant

 

400 Temporary work (short stay) visa $175 $90 $45 $165 $85 $40
402 Training and research visa $380 $190 $95 $360 $180 $90
457 Temporary work (skilled) visa $1,060 $1,060 $265 $1,035 $1,035 $260
186 Employer nomination skilled (permanent) visa $3,600 $1,800 $900 $3,520 $1,760 $880
187 Regional employer nomination skilled (permanent) visa $3,600 $1,800 $900 $3,520 $1,760 $880

The full list of fee increases from 1 July 2015 for each visa subclass/class is available on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.