190 Visa Application Fee [2025–2026 Complete Guide]

What Is the 190 Visa Application Fee? [2025–2026 Complete Guide]

TL;DR: The Subclass 190 visa application fee for the main applicant is AUD 4,115 as of July 2025, plus additional charges for family members, state nomination fees, skills assessments, English tests, and health checks—so budget at least AUD 6,000–8,000 total. Plan your expenses now to avoid surprises.

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What is the current Department of Home Affairs fee for a 190 visa?

The standard visa application charge (VAC) for the 190 visa is AUD 4,115 for the main applicant in 2025–2026.

This fee is set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and is non-refundable unless your application is invalid. You must pay this when you lodge your visa application online.

Here are the additional costs for family members included in your application:

• Partner or spouse (18+): AUD 2,060
• Dependent child (under 18): AUD 1,030
• Second and subsequent child: AUD 515 each

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, these fees are subject to annual indexation, usually increasing each July.

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Do I need to pay a state nomination fee as well?

Yes, most Australian states charge a separate state nomination fee when you apply for their nomination.

These fees are completely separate from the DHA visa application charge and are paid directly to the state or territory government. They are also non-refundable, even if your nomination is refused.

Common state nomination fees (as of July 2025):

• New South Wales: AUD 300
• Victoria: AUD 0 (free to apply, but you must pay for skills assessment)
• Queensland: AUD 200
• Western Australia: AUD 200
• South Australia: AUD 0 (free for most occupations)
• ACT (Canberra): AUD 300
• Tasmania: AUD 0
• Northern Territory: AUD 300 (or AUD 150 for offshore applicants)

Check your target state’s migration site for the exact current fee.

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What are the hidden or additional costs I should budget for?

You should budget an extra AUD 3,000–5,000 for mandatory assessments, tests, and services beyond the application fees.

These costs can easily catch applicants off guard. Here is a breakdown of typical expenses:

• Skills assessment: AUD 600–1,500 per assessing authority
• English language test (IELTS/PTE): AUD 400–600 (include two attempts)
• Health examination: AUD 300–500 per person
• Police clearance certificate: AUD 50–150 per person
• Documents translation/certification: AUD 100–500
• Migration agent or lawyer (optional): AUD 2,000–5,000
• NovenAI AI Migration Mentor: US $39/month (cuts lawyer time by 80%)

To avoid losing thousands to avoidable mistakes, use the Visa Success Predictor from NovenAI to check your eligibility and get a personalised cost estimate before you pay anything.

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Can the 190 visa application fee be refunded if my visa is refused?

No, the Department of Home Affairs does not refund visa application fees if your application is refused or withdrawn.

This is a critical rule to remember: the VAC is a processing charge, not a deposit. Once you have paid and lodged, the money is gone regardless of the outcome.

This is why it is so important to ensure your application is complete and accurate before submission. A single error—like uploading the wrong document or misunderstanding points—can cost you thousands.

To avoid rejection and lost fees, consult the EOI Points Calculator on NovenAI to check your exact score before applying. If your score is borderline, consider improving your English or gaining more skilled work experience first.

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How do I pay the 190 visa application fee?

You pay the fee online via the ImmiAccount portal using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.

Payments are processed securely by the DHA at the time of lodgement. You will need to upload all supporting documents before payment, so prepare everything in advance.

Accepted payment methods:

• Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club
• PayPal (for some countries)
• BPAY (not available for onshore applicants)

There is a small surcharge for credit card payments (around 1–1.5%), so factor that into your total.

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Are there any fee waivers or discounts for the 190 visa?

There are no general fee waivers, but certain service categories may see small reductions if you apply from specific locations.

For example, applicants in some low-processing-risk countries may have lower health check fees. However, the DHA does not waive the VAC based on income, hardship, or occupation.

One small exception: if you are applying for a Review of a decision (AAT), you pay a separate fee but this is not a discount on the initial application.

If you are worried about affordability, plan ahead by:

• Saving AUD 500–1,000 per month for 6–12 months
• Using the English Level Guide to improve your score and avoid re-test costs
• Pre-paying your skills assessment early to spread costs

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Will the 190 visa fee increase in 2025–2026?

Yes, the DHA usually increases visa fees by 5–10% each year, and the July 2025 increase is expected to follow this pattern.

Current projections suggest the main applicant fee could rise from AUD 4,115 to approximately AUD 4,400–4,500. This means that delaying your application by even six months could cost you hundreds of extra dollars.

As an experienced migration specialist, I always advise clients to lodge as soon as they have all documents ready, not just to beat fee rises but also to lock in the current points test and policy settings.

To check your readiness and ensure no document is missed, use the Visa Success Predictor—it tells you exactly where you stand before you pay a cent.

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How can I reduce the total cost of my 190 visa application?

The most effective cost reduction is to avoid rework, re-tests, and visa refusal.

Every redo costs time and money. Here are my top actionable steps:

• Get your English right first: Use the NovenAI English Level Guide to target the exact score you need. Missing by 0.5 points can cost AUD 400+ in retests.
• Double-check your points: Mistaking your skilled employment or age points is the #1 cause of refusal. The EOI Points Calculator is free and instantly accurate.
• Avoid migration agent mistakes: Use the NovenAI AI Migration Mentor (US $39/month) to review your application step-by-step before paying a lawyer AUD 5,000.
• Apply early in the financial year: Fees are lower in July than they will be in June next year after indexation.

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Conclusion

Your 190 visa application fee is just one part of a larger investment in your Australian future. Budget at least AUD 6,000–8,000 in total, pay early to beat annual rises, and use free tools like the EOI Points Calculator and Visa Success Predictor from NovenAI to ensure your application is flawless before you spend a cent.

Don’t let avoidable mistakes cost you thousands—check your readiness now for free at NovenAI.