Senior Lawyer - Senior Australian Migration Lawyer
Published on:
May 14, 2024
Modified on:
June 22, 2026
Table of Contents
9
minute read
Update: This page is no longer current following further increases by the Australian Government in 2025. Please read more about it here.
Following 1 July 2024, the Australian Government has made several changes to the costs associated with seeking a visa. Primarily, these costs were associated with the ‘visa application charge’ that occurs when a visa is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs. Additionally, new citizenship application fees were introduced on 1 July 2024.
This blog post will provide an overview of the changes to the visa application charges and citizenship fees, detailing how the changes in costs are calculated and summarise the Australian Government’s reasoning for the changes where applicable.
For potential or current applicants who need assistance understanding how these changes may affect them, contact an Australian Migration Lawyer who can consider your circumstances and provide tailored information regarding the costs associated with any application.
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How do application charges and fees work?
There are several things that applicants should consider before paying any relevant application charges or fees.
Visa application charges and citizenship application fees are the amount of money that must be paid to the Department of Home Affairs in order to validly lodge an application. This amount is listed in Australian Dollars ($AUD). The way these charges are calculated and applied depend on the particular visa subclass or citizenship type being applied for, sometimes there may not be an application charge and sometimes there may be multiple payments required.
Applicants should be aware that when paying these charges and fees, if PayPal or a credit card is used, a surcharge may apply. The current surcharge rates range between 1.01% and 1.99%. Applicants should also be aware that a surcharge will also apply to debit Visa or Mastercard cards.
Where applicants lodge their application via post, courier, fax, email or in person, a non-internet application charge may also apply.
Where an application includes multiple people beyond the primary applicant, the Department may charge an additional applicant or subsequent temporary application charge. These charges are in addition to the charges that the primary applicant is required to pay upon lodgement.
If the correct amount is not paid to the Department, the visa application will not be regarded as valid until the Department receives the correct amount. Failure to pay the correct charge or fee may affect the Department’s ability to process the application and fees may change during this period. In some circumstances, the Department may contact applicants or return the application where the incorrect amount has been provided.
Applicants should be aware that the visa application charge or citizenship fee is not refundable, even if the application is refused or withdrawn.
For more specific information or to understand how these fees and charges apply to your circumstances, contact Australian Migration Lawyers.
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Australian Migration Lawyers was founded to offer clients the best migration services available in Australia. Our team of experienced lawyers are ready to help you with your next steps.
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Why do application fees increase?
Within the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), the Australian Government is empowered to change the fees and charges associated with migration processes. These increases are generally calculated in accordance with the consumer price index. The consumer price index is a number that describes the variation in prices for various goods and services in Australian households. Where the consumer price index number is greater than previous the consumer price index number, the charges and fees for migration applications increase. These increases take place on 1 July of each year.
At the time of writing, the Australian Government specifically articulated reasons for the increases to student visa charges and citizenship fees. In relation to international student visas, these increases were to reflect ‘the increasing value of education in Australia’ and the ‘Government’s commitment to restoring integrity in the international education sector’. The increases to the fees were also stated as funding a number of initiatives including measures recommended by the Universities Accord, financial support for apprentices and their employers and ongoing implementation of the Government’s migration strategy. In relation to increases in citizenship application fees, the fees ‘are changing to reflect the cost of processing applications’.
To find out information about the costs associated with making a visa application with Australian Migration Lawyers, contact us.
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Charge and Fee Increases
While further information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website, the following is a summary of the changes in costs associated with visa and citizenship applications.
With over 20 years of experience in law and public administration, Nick is a highly skilled Australian migration lawyer.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida State University (2000), a Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law (2004), and a Master of Public Administration from Florida State University (2007). He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2006 and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Bar since 2007, establishing a distinguished international legal career before relocating to Melbourne in 2021.
After completing his Australian legal studies at La Trobe University and The College of Law, Nick was admitted as an Australian immigration lawyer, offering expert guidance on a wide range of migration visa applications. Having personally navigated the migration process himself, Nick combines professional expertise with empathy, helping clients successfully manage the complexities of partner visas in Australia.
Nick serves clients nationally, including in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, providing comprehensive support. He is also a trusted advisor on Australian spouse visas, resident return visas, and protection visas, ensuring clients fully understand and meet all eligibility requirements in Australia.
Outside his professional life, Nick is a devoted family man with a passion for reading, travel, and film. He enjoys exploring Melbourne’s vibrant coffee culture and discovering the city’s best burgers. Nick’s personal experience with migration fuels his dedication to providing compassionate, knowledgeable support to clients navigating their migration pathway.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Articles and blog posts published by Australian Migration Lawyers provide general information only and do not constitute migration or legal advice. Reading this content does not create a lawyer-client relationship, and any reliance on it is strictly at your own risk. Because migration laws change frequently, please consult a registered Australian Lawyer for professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any migration decisions or applications.
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