Commonwealth of Australia
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
The Australia subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa costs roughly A$5,400 in Home Affairs fees for a single primary applicant, before skills-assessment and English-test costs.
These are the fees paid to the Commonwealth of Australia government. You pay these directly as part of your application. Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) cost in Australia?
The Australia subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa costs roughly A$5,400 in Home Affairs fees for a single primary applicant, before skills-assessment and English-test costs.
Verified against Home Affairs — Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa on 1 June 2026.
Headline total
A$5,416
Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge
Currency
AUD (Australian dollar)
Last checked
1 June 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Visa application charge (primary applicant) Subclass 189 VAC. Indexed each 1 July — rose to A$4,910 on 1 July 2025 (from A$4,765); will likely rise again 1 July 2026. | A$4,910 | Yes |
Additional applicant charge (18+) | A$2,385per adult | Optional |
Additional applicant charge (under 18) | A$1,195per child | Optional |
Second instalment — limited English proficiency Charged where an adult applicant cannot meet a functional English standard at visa grant. | A$4,890per applicant aged 18+ | Optional |
Skills assessment (indicative, by assessing authority) Varies widely by occupation — ACS (IT) ≈ A$550, Engineers Australia ≈ A$800, VETASSESS ≈ A$1,050. | A$1,050 | Optional |
English test (IELTS Academic, indicative) | A$410 | Optional |
Police clearances AFP national police check base fee (A$56); fingerprint checks cost more. Additional countries of residence each add their own clearance cost. | A$56 | Yes |
Health examinations (panel physician) Indicative only. Home Affairs quotes ≈A$350 for examinations done in Australia; overseas panel-physician (BUPA/IOM) fees vary widely by country, so this is not a single published figure — verify with your panel clinic. | A$450 | Yes |
Worked example
Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge — A$5,416
- A$4,910 VAC
- A$56 police clearance
- A$450 health examination (indicative)
- Plus A$410 IELTS and A$1,050 skills assessment (third-party).
How to read these fees
The A$5,416 headline covers single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge. Of the 8 components listed above, 3 are mandatory and 5 are optional add-ons (such as priority processing) you can choose to skip. The single biggest mandatory line is Visa application charge (primary applicant) at A$4,910.
Bringing family changes the total — see the dependant section below. Treat the figure as a planning estimate rather than a quote: confirm each line on the official source linked below on the day you pay, because these fees are revised regularly.
Dependant fees
Add A$2,385 per adult dependant, A$1,195 per child. Each adult may separately be charged the A$4,890 limited-English second instalment if they cannot demonstrate functional English.
Why fees change
Visa Application Charges are indexed and rise each 1 July — the primary-applicant VAC moved to A$4,910 on 1 July 2025 and will likely rise again on 1 July 2026. Verify the current figure on the Home Affairs fee table before lodging — a mis-paid VAC invalidates the application. The VAC is only part of the bill: budget separately for your skills assessment, English test, police checks, and the medical, which routinely add well over a thousand dollars on top.
Primary source
Home Affairs — Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) cost in government fees?
The Australia subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa costs roughly A$5,400 in Home Affairs fees for a single primary applicant, before skills-assessment and English-test costs. The worked example assumes single applicant, functional english, no health surcharge, totalling A$5,416. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
Visa Application Charges are indexed and rise each 1 July — the primary-applicant VAC moved to A$4,910 on 1 July 2025 and will likely rise again on 1 July 2026. Verify the current figure on the Home Affairs fee table before lodging — a mis-paid VAC invalidates the application. The VAC is only part of the bill: budget separately for your skills assessment, English test, police checks, and the medical, which routinely add well over a thousand dollars on top.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Add A$2,385 per adult dependant, A$1,195 per child. Each adult may separately be charged the A$4,890 limited-English second instalment if they cannot demonstrate functional English.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189).
Processing time
How long the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) takes from application to decision.
Compare: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) fees
State-nominated permanent residence visa providing a 5-point SkillSelect boost.
Compare: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) fees
Provisional 5-year regional visa leading to permanent residence via subclass 191.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.