You’ve decided to move to Australia under the 189 skilled visa program, but the visa fees leave you wondering about your budget. You’re not alone; many skilled professionals feel overwhelmed when they first see the cost figures.
The good news? Smart planning around visa fees can help you save money. This guide walks you through the exact costs, payment schedules, and money-saving tips for your 189 visa application. Whether you’re a software engineer from India or a medical professional from the UK, you’ll find practical ways to manage your visa expenses better.
Complete Breakdown of 189 Visa Fees
Ready to understand the exact costs of your 189 visa? Here’s what you need to budget for your Australian dream.
The Department of Home Affairs sets these official visa fees:
| Applicant Type | Fee Amount |
| Primary Applicant | AUD $4,765 |
| Secondary Applicant (18+ years) | AUD $2,385 |
| Secondary Applicant (under 18) | AUD $1,195 |
English Language Fees Matter:
Your family members over 18 need to show functional English skills. Without this, expect an extra AUD 7,469.12 per person.
The payment structure works like this:
- Main visa fees: paid when you lodge your application
- English language fees—paid just before visa grant (if needed)
Good news for families:
- No fees for family members staying behind
- Babies born during application processing join free
- Same fees apply whether you use an agent or apply yourself
The Department updates these fees regularly. Double-check the latest figures on their website when you’re ready to apply.
Strategic Payment Timing
The timing of your payment makes all the difference. Your 189 visa application springs to life only when the Department receives your complete payment.
Smart applicants follow these payment rules:
- Lodge documents and payments in one go
- Check your credit card limit matches the full amount
- Finish medical checks and police certificates first
- Submit skills assessment proof with your application
Here’s what could go wrong with poor timing: Your application might get stuck if you make partial payments. Plus, payment delays could cost you more money—just look at the July 2024 fee jump to AUD 7,293.28.
The department works differently from what you might expect:
- They might process your case without asking for missing items
- Your application sits idle until full payment arrives
- Fees usually go up every July 1st; the last rise happened in 2024
- Family applications need extra careful budget planning
Quick tip: The department picks up complete applications first, regardless of when they arrived. Think of it like a race—the most prepared applications reach the finish line faster.
Official Payment Methods and Savings
Money-smart visa applicants know this secret: choosing the right payment method saves hundreds of dollars. The Department of Home Affairs keeps things simple with ImmiAccount payments.
Let’s look at what each payment method costs you extra:
| Payment Method | Surcharge Rate |
| Visa/Mastercard | 1.40% |
| American Express | 1.40% |
| JCB | 1.40% |
| PayPal | 1.01% |
| Union Pay | 1.90% |
The golden rule? One payment, one transaction. Splitting payments across multiple cards simply won’t work.
Smart payment strategies include:
- Tell your bank about this big overseas payment
- Pick PayPal to pay less in surcharges
- Watch out for hidden currency conversion costs
The department’s preferred channel remains ImmiAccount online payments. Can’t pay online? Your local Australian visa office should be your next stop. Traditional methods like cash or checks won’t work for paper applications.
The math matters here. Take a primary applicant paying by credit card—that’s an extra 1.40% on top of the base fee. Small percentages add up to real money when dealing with thousand-dollar payments.
Planning your 189 visa fee payment wisely
Managing your visa fees feels like solving a puzzle. With these articles, the pieces should now fit together nicely. Your journey through fee structures, payment schedules, and money-saving methods has equipped you with practical knowledge for your Australian visa budget.
Think of your visa payment like a well-planned investment. Smart applicants save hundreds of dollars by:
- Gathering all documents before hitting’submit”
- Making one clean payment sweep
- Picking payment options with tiny surcharges
- Staying alert to overseas payment costs
The path to Australia comes with its price tag—that’s true. But you’re now ready to handle these costs like a pro. Whether you’re a tech expert from Singapore or a healthcare professional from Dubai, your Australian dream just got more achievable.
Do note that thousands of skilled professionals make this journey every year. With your new understanding of visa fees, you’re already steps ahead in your migration planning.