How Much Extra Does It Cost to Include Children in a Partner Visa?

How much does it cost to include children in a partner visa?

The cost of including children in a partner visa is an additional applicant charge for each child, paid when the application is lodged, together with each child's health examination, passport and document costs. The Department sets the additional applicant charges and changes them over time, so the current amount should be confirmed using the Department's fee estimator before lodgement. Our article on partner visa cost explains every government charge in the application.

What is the base partner visa charge in 2026?

The base partner visa charge in 2026 is AUD 11,710 for most applicants from 1 July 2026. Applicants who hold a Subclass 300 and apply for the Subclass 820 and 801 after marrying their sponsor pay AUD 1,955. The base charge is paid once and covers both stages of the visa. Our article on the Subclass 820 visa cost in 2026 explains the onshore charges, and our article on partner visa fee increases explains why the amount changes.

What other costs apply to each child?

The other costs that apply to each child are health examinations at a panel clinic, a passport, certified copies or scans of birth certificates and custody documents, translations of any document not in English and, for older children, police certificates. Our article on partner visa evidence translation explains when translations are needed. Where a court order is needed because a parent will not consent, legal costs for that process are separate again.

Is it cheaper to add children later?

Adding children later is not usually cheaper, and it can cost more overall. A child who is not included at lodgement may need a separate visa application with its own charge, such as the Subclass 445 while the parent holds a temporary partner visa. A child born after lodgement but before a decision is generally taken to be included under regulation 2.08. Our page on the Subclass 820 visa explains how the family's application is structured.

Are there extra costs for a child with a health condition?

There can be extra costs for a child with a health condition, such as specialist reports requested after the panel clinic examination, and the time needed to prepare a health waiver submission where one is available. These costs vary with the condition. Our article on a partner visa with a child with a disability explains how the Department assesses these cases.

Are the government charges refunded if a child is refused?

The government charges are generally not refunded if a child is refused, because the charge is for the assessment of the application rather than for the grant. Refunds are available only in limited circumstances set out in the regulations. This is one reason to check each child's eligibility and custody position before lodgement, rather than including a child whose grant is doubtful.

How does My Migration Lawyers help families plan the cost of including children?

My Migration Lawyers helps families plan the cost of including children by confirming before lodgement which children can and should be included, so the family does not pay charges for a child who cannot be granted the visa. The firm explains the government charges and third-party costs at the start, and works on fixed professional fees agreed before work starts. Families can speak with our partner visa lawyers, led by Principal Lawyer Weiwei Zhang, by video.