The Australian Visa Fees Increased the Most From 1 July
The Australian Visa Fees Increased the Most From 1 July, so you should know. While most Australian visa application charges increased by approximately 25% from 1 July 2026, several visa categories experienced significantly larger increases. Here are the biggest changes applicants should be aware of.
Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020)
The Bridging Visa B recorded one of the largest fee increases in the 2026 update. Applicants who hold a Bridging Visa A and need to travel outside Australia must now pay AUD 575 for a Bridging Visa B, compared with the previous fee of AUD 190.
This represents a 203% increase, making it one of the steepest single-step fee increases introduced this year.
The Australian Visa: Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155)
The Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) has also seen a substantial increase. The application fee has risen from AUD 490 to AUD 1,475, representing a 201% increase.
This change particularly affects permanent residents whose five-year travel facility has expired and who need to renew their travel rights before returning to Australia.
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) has experienced its second consecutive annual fee increase.
The application fee increased from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000 on 1 July 2025. From 1 July 2026, it has increased again to AUD 2,500.
As a result, the Student Visa application charge has increased by 56% over the past two years, making it among the most significant cumulative fee increases in Australia’s visa program.
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/309)
The Partner Visa (Subclass 820/309) now costs AUD 11,710, following an increase of AUD 2,345.
Already the most expensive visa category within Australia’s migration program, the higher application fee adds to the overall cost of the visa process. With current processing times for the Subclass 820 sitting at around 19 months, applicants should consider both the financial commitment and expected processing period when planning their application. For more updates visit us at https://immivisa.com.au/
