Cheapest way to apply for an Australian visa.

The biggest cost in any Australian visa application is the government fees - and those are the same no matter how you apply. The real question is how much you spend on professional help. Here is the full breakdown.

Costs you cannot avoid.

These costs apply regardless of whether you use an agent, MigrateYou, or go DIY. They are set by the government and third-party providers.

Visa application charge
$4,640 (189) / $4,640 (190) / $4,640 (491)
Skills assessment
$500 - $1,200
English test (IELTS / PTE)
~$400
Health examination
~$400
Police clearance
$50 - $100
Mandatory total (single applicant)
~$6,000 - $6,700

Skills assessment fees vary by authority. For example, ACS (IT) charges ~$550, VETASSESS charges ~$700-$1,200. Add approximately $2,000-$3,000 per additional family member for the secondary visa application charge.

Three approaches compared.

DIY (cheapest)

$0 professional fees
Mandatory costs
~$6,000 - $6,700
Professional help
$0
Total
~$6,000 - $6,700

Risk: if refused due to errors, you lose the $4,640 visa fee and have to start again.

MigrateYou (best value)

$199 - $498
Mandatory costs
~$6,000 - $6,700
Application pack
$199
Agent review (optional)
+$299
Total
~$6,200 - $7,200

Guided checklists, generated documents, points validation, and ImmiAccount lodgement guide.

Migration agent (most expensive)

$3,000 - $8,000
Mandatory costs
~$6,000 - $6,700
Agent fees
$3,000 - $8,000
Total
~$9,000 - $14,700

Best for complex cases. See when an agent is worth it.

Frequently asked questions.

What is the minimum cost to apply for an Australian skilled visa?
The absolute minimum for a subclass 189 visa (single applicant) is roughly $6,000-$6,700: visa application charge ($4,640), skills assessment ($500-$1,200), English test (~$400), health examination (~$400), and police clearance ($50-$100). This assumes you apply entirely on your own with no professional help.
Can I avoid paying the visa application charge?
No. The visa application charge is a government fee paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs when you lodge. It is the same regardless of whether you use an agent, a tool like MigrateYou, or apply on your own. It is non-refundable if your application is refused.
Are there any hidden costs in the visa process?
Common additional costs include: biometrics fees (if required for your nationality), document translation and notarisation, additional skills assessment fees for qualification verification, second visa application charge for dependent family members, and travel costs for health examinations if not available locally.
How much do I save by using MigrateYou instead of an agent?
Migration agents typically charge $3,000-$8,000. MigrateYou costs $199, or $498 with the optional agent review. That is a saving of $2,500-$7,800 compared to a full-service agent, while still getting guided assistance with your application.

MigrateYou pricing

See all plans from free assessment to agent review.

Points calculator

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