Planning an Australian visa from Kenya? The 1 July 2026 fee rise and how to budget for it

News · 2026-08-06 · 4 min read

A Kenyan woman reviews papers beside a calculator and laptop at a sunlit table in her home.

If you are in Nairobi or Mombasa and thinking about an employer-sponsored move to Australia, the first number to check is the government's visa application charge. As of 1 July 2026 the Australian Government raised application charges across nearly every visa category, and anything lodged from that date is charged at the new rate. This guide sets out the new amounts and the other costs that sit around them.

The new government charges, group by group

Visa group	Visa	Charge
Employer sponsored	Skills in Demand (Subclass 482)	$4,015, up from $3,210
Employer sponsored	Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)	$6,140
Employer sponsored	Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494)	$6,140
Skilled migration	Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)	$6,135
Skilled migration	Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)	$6,140
Skilled migration	Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491)	$6,140
Student and graduate	Student Visa (Subclass 500)	$2,500
Student and graduate	student guardian visa (Subclass 590)	$2,500
Student and graduate	Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)	$5,750
Partner	Partner Visa	$11,710

The partner visa charge is the single biggest government charge in the system. All amounts are Australian dollars, as listed by the government.

Bringing family changes the total

Each additional family member, whether a spouse or a child, adds a separate government charge on top of these figures. A quick example shows how fast it grows: a family of three, meaning the main applicant, a spouse and one child, applying for a Skilled Independent (189) visa pays government charges alone of $10,745.

What the headline figure leaves out

English language testing
Skills assessments
Medical exams
Police clearance certificates, which for Kenya means the DCI Certificate of Good Conduct applied for through eCitizen

Plan for these as separate line items. A good starting point for the first is PractiseNow, which offers practice for common English tests, and for the second, RPLDirect, which explains how qualifications are assessed in Australia. A local qualification, such as KCSE, KNEC or NITA trade test results, never automatically equals an Australian licence, skills assessment or registration.

Does the rise affect an application already lodged?

No. If your application went in before 1 July 2026, you are locked into the old fee, even if it is still being processed. The new charges apply only to applications lodged from 1 July 2026 onward.

Demand has not gone away

Higher fees have not changed the fact that Australia remains short of skilled workers, especially in carpentry, electrical, mechanics, welding, chef roles, butchery, HVAC, nursing, engineering and heavy vehicle mechanics. Thousands of employer-sponsored roles are still open to qualified overseas applicants, so the real question is how to prepare the money and the paperwork. You can see current openings on the jobs page.

Common mistakes when budgeting for a visa

The first mistake is budgeting for the main applicant only and forgetting the separate charge for each family member. The second is treating the government charge as the whole cost, when tests, assessments, medicals and police certificates all come on top. The third is paying anyone who promises a result; honest professionals cannot do that. For Australia, use an agent you can find on the register with a MARA registration, and for New Zealand a licensed immigration adviser or lawfully exempt person. The fourth is timing: lodging sooner locks the price you pay at that date, but only once you have the right evidence. More reading: why visa fee increases happen, choosing a state for skilled migration and why skilled trades are such a strong pathway.

Frequently asked questions

Which visa went up most visibly?

The Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) charge rose from $3,210 to $4,015.

Is there a charge for my spouse and children?

Yes. Each additional family member adds a separate government charge.

Which application gets the old fee?

Any application lodged before 1 July 2026.

Is the partner visa the most expensive?

Yes, at $11,710 it is the biggest government charge in the system.

Where do I check the current list?

The official Home Affairs visa listing has current charges.

Key takeaways

New charges apply to applications lodged from 1 July 2026.
The 482 is now $4,015, and several skilled and sponsored visas are $6,140.
A family of three on a 189 pays $10,745 in government charges alone.
Budget separately for tests, assessments, medicals and police certificates.

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