Commonwealth of Australia
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) fees
The Australia subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa costs roughly A$5,300 in Home Affairs fees for a single primary applicant, before skills-assessment and English-test costs.
Headline total
A$5,272
Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge
Currency
AUD (Australian dollar)
Last checked
20 April 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Visa application charge (primary applicant) Subclass 189 VAC. Reviewed annually each 1 July. | A$4,765 | 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; cost varies for each additional country of residence. | A$57 | Yes |
Health examinations (panel physician) BUPA/IOM panel physician fees vary by country. | A$450 | Yes |
Worked example
Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge — A$5,272
- A$4,765 VAC
- A$57 police clearance
- A$450 health examination
- Plus A$410 IELTS and A$1,050 skills assessment (third-party).
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 typically rise each 1 July. Verify the current figure on the Home Affairs fee table before lodging — a mis-paid VAC invalidates the application.
Primary source
Home Affairs — Visa pricing estimator
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/fees-and-charges/visa-pricing-estimator
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$5,300 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$5,272. 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 typically rise each 1 July. Verify the current figure on the Home Affairs fee table before lodging — a mis-paid VAC invalidates the application.
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.