How Much Does a Partner Visa Cost in Australia?

What does the partner visa application charge cover?

The partner visa application charge covers the whole combined application, meaning both the temporary visa and the permanent visa. Onshore applicants pay once for the Subclass 820 and Subclass 801, and offshore applicants pay once for the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100. No second charge is payable when the permanent stage is assessed. Our full guide to partner visa cost breaks down the government fees and the other expenses couples should plan for.

How much does it cost to include family members?

Including family members in a partner visa costs an additional applicant charge for each person, with a lower charge for children under 18 than for adults. Each included family member must also meet the health and character requirements, which adds examination and police certificate costs. Dependent children are usually best included at lodgement, because adding them later can be more complicated and may require the consent of another parent at a difficult time. Our partner visa checklist lists the documents each included family member needs, including birth certificates, custody documents and identity documents.

What other costs are there besides the partner visa application charge?

Other costs of a partner visa include health examinations with a Department-approved panel physician, police certificates from the countries where the applicant has lived, certified translations of documents not in English, and any card surcharge on payment. These costs vary by country and provider, and they are paid to the provider, not to the Department. Our article on partner visa evidence translation explains which documents need translating.

Is the partner visa charge refunded if the application is refused?

The partner visa charge is not refunded if the application is refused, and it is generally not refunded if the application is withdrawn. Refunds are available only in limited circumstances set out in the Migration Regulations. An application refused at the temporary stage loses the whole charge, and a new application requires a new charge, which is why the most common partner visa refusal reasons are worth understanding before lodgement.

Does the partner visa charge go up each year?

The partner visa charge is generally reviewed on 1 July each year, and it has increased in recent years. The charge payable is the one in force on the day the application is lodged, so a couple who is ready to lodge before 1 July pays the earlier charge. Waiting past that date to gather more evidence can therefore cost more. Our article on partner visa fee increases explains how to plan around these changes.

How can My Migration Lawyers help you protect the cost of your partner visa?

My Migration Lawyers works on fixed professional fees agreed before work starts, so the couple knows in advance what the legal work will cost on top of the government charge. Before any charge is paid, the firm confirms the correct subclass, the family members to include and any onshore restrictions, because an invalid or refused application loses the whole charge. Couples can speak with our partner visa lawyers before they lodge.