IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Australia has increased application fees for most visa classes by more than 7%.

  • Implementation time frame: The fees took effect July 1.
  • Visas/permits affected: Most notably, the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482), the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400), the Employer Nomination Scheme permanent residence visa (Subclass 186) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme permanent residence visa (Subclass 187).
  • Who is affected: Companies and individuals lodging visa applications.
  • Business impact: Employers and individuals should budget for the increased fees.

Additional information: Visa application fee increases totaled more than 7% for most visa classes on July 1. The increase included a 2.25% annual Consumer Price Index increase as well as a 5.54% increase for most visa subclasses. A news alert published last week included some incorrect figures that did not take the full increase into account.

The fee levels (in Australian dollars) as of July 1 are as follows:

Visa Type Applicant Previous Fee Fee as of July 1
Temporary Skill Shortage visa – Medium Term Stream

 

 

 Primary Applicant / Employee $2,455 $2,645
Adult Dependant $2,455 $2,645
Child Dependant $615 $660
Temporary Skill Shortage visa – Short Term Stream

 

 

 Primary Applicant / Employee $1,175 $1,265
Adult Dependant $1,175 $1,265
Child Dependant $295 $320
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Subclass 400 visa

 

 

 Primary Applicant $285 $310
Adult Dependant $285 $310
Child Dependant $75 $80
Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 visa

 

 

 Primary Applicant / Employee $3,755 $4,045
Adult Dependant $1,875 $2,025
Child Dependant $940 $1,010
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Subclass 187 visa

 

 

 Primary Applicant / Employee $3,755 $4,045
Adult Dependant $1,875 $2,025
Child Dependant $940 $1,010

The fees relating to sponsorship applications and TSS/ENS nomination applications remain the same. There has also been no change to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy, payable upon lodgement of TSS/ENS nomination applications.

More information regarding the July 1 fee increase can be found here.

Analysis & Comments: Employers and individual visa applicants should review the new fees and make sure that applications lodged after July 1 follow the new fee schedule.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.