Visa Fees Rising Across the Board: CPI Indexation Kicks In 1 July
July 1 marks the start of Australia's new financial year—and the annual adjustment of visa application charges (VAC). From 1 July 2026, fees for nearly all major visa subclasses will increase by approximately 3.5% under CPI indexation.
Based on current rates, the expected increases are:
- 189/190/491 Skilled Independent/Nominated/Regional: from $4,910 to approximately $5,082 (+$172)
- 482/SID Employer-Sponsored Temporary: from $1,730 to approximately $1,791 (+$61)
- 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent): from $4,770 to approximately $4,937 (+$167)
- 500 Student Visa: from $2,000 to approximately $2,070 (+$70)
- 820/801 Partner Visa: from $9,365 to approximately $9,693 (+$328)
The impact is most significant for family applications: a family of four (primary applicant + spouse + two adult dependants) applying for a 189 visa currently pays approximately $13,500; after 1 July, expect to pay around $470 more.
It's worth noting that the 485 Temporary Graduate visa fee already doubled from $2,300 to $4,600 in March this year, and may face an additional CPI increase on top of that in July.
Employer Sponsorship Salary Thresholds Rising Simultaneously
Alongside visa fee adjustments, the core salary thresholds for employer-sponsored visas are also increasing from 1 July:
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): from $76,515 to $79,499 (increase of approximately 3.9%)
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): from $141,210 to $146,717 (increase of approximately 3.9%)
- Subclass 494 Regional Employer-Sponsored threshold: also rising to $79,499
Key rule: The applicable threshold is determined at the time of nomination lodgement—not when the visa application is submitted. If your salary falls between $76,515 and $79,499, submitting the nomination before 30 June will pass the current threshold; after 1 July, the same nomination may not meet the new standard.
Major Benefit: Approved Work Sponsor Register Goes Public
If the fee increase is the "bad news," the following is arguably the biggest positive development for offshore applicants this year:
In April 2026, the Australian Parliament passed the Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026. The centrepiece of this reform is the establishment of an Approved Work Sponsor Register—a public database of all employers approved to sponsor overseas workers.
What does this mean?
Previously: Offshore applicants had no way to verify whether an Australian business was actually approved to sponsor overseas employees. You had to rely on an agent's verbal promises or internet searches—an environment of extreme information asymmetry.
Now: The register will be published on the Department of Home Affairs website, where anyone can look up:
- Business name and Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Sponsor type (Standard Business Sponsor or Accredited Sponsor)
- Business postcode
- Number of nominations submitted
- Occupation categories sponsored
This is a major win for offshore applicants: You can now verify whether an employer is an approved sponsor and whether they've previously sponsored your occupation before even applying for a job. No more worrying about being misled by unqualified employers or shady agents.
The legislation has passed both houses of Parliament and is awaiting Royal Assent. The register is expected to go live within six months of Royal Assent.
Employer Sponsorship: 2 Years to PR—The Most Certain Pathway
With visa fees rising across the board, choosing a migration pathway with the highest certainty is more important than ever.
Core advantages of the employer sponsorship pathway (482/SID → 186):
- Short timeline: SID Core Skills stream holders can apply for 186 Employer Nomination Scheme permanent residency after just 2 years of full-time work
- Changing employers doesn't reset the clock: The 180-day grace period allows you to find a new sponsor without losing previously accumulated time
- No points test required: No need to accumulate points or wait for invitation rounds—lodge when you meet the criteria
- Abundant quota: Employer-sponsored visa allocations increased to 58,040 for 2026-27, up 32%
- Greater transparency: Once the register launches, finding a genuine sponsor will no longer be a matter of luck
Compare this with the 189 Skilled Independent visa—while the quota increased to 21,000, invitations are issued quarterly with intense competition. After 1 July, state nomination programs (190/491) typically pause for weeks to months as new quotas are allocated.
Action Checklist for Offshore Applicants
The window before 1 July is limited. Offshore applicants should act immediately:
- Applications already in progress: Submit before 30 June to lock in current fees and salary thresholds
- Employer nominations: If your salary falls between $76,515 and $79,499, submit the nomination before 30 June
- English tests and skills assessments: Complete these as soon as possible to prepare for lodgement
- Watch for the register launch: Once the legislation receives Royal Assent, learn how to query approved sponsors
- Engage professional guidance: During periods of policy change, expert advice can save you significant time and money
About Noice International
Noice International specialises in employer-sponsored migration services for offshore skilled workers. Our core services include:
- Employer matching: Direct connections with genuine approved sponsors across Western Australian mining, construction, hospitality, and more
- 482/SID visa + 186 permanent residency: End-to-end service from temporary to permanent residency
- Skills assessment: Guidance for TRA, VETASSESS, and other assessing authorities
- Free initial assessment: Scan the QR code or visit noiceact.com for a personalised migration pathway recommendation
Visa fees are rising, but the path is clearer than ever. Rather than waiting, take action now.