| Sponsorship fee | Employer. Paid when applying to become a sponsor. |
|---|---|
| Nomination fee | Employer. Paid for each nomination. |
| SAF levy | Employer. Paid with each nomination. The amount depends on turnover and visa length. |
| Visa application charge | Employer or worker. Paid when the visa application is lodged, with extra charges for family members. |
Current government fees
Employer sponsorship, nomination and levy
| Fee | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship application Approval usually lasts 5 years. | $420 |
| Skills in Demand (482) nomination For each nomination. | $330 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) nomination Nil for Temporary Residence Transition or labour agreement positions in regional Australia. | $540 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) nomination | Nil |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 482, turnover under $10 million For each year of the visa period nominated. | $1,200 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 482, turnover $10 million or more For each year of the visa period nominated. | $1,800 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 186 or 494, turnover under $10 million Paid once, with the nomination. | $3,000 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 186 or 494, turnover $10 million or more Paid once, with the nomination. | $5,000 |
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
| Fee | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | $4,015 |
| Each additional applicant aged 18 or over | $4,015 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | $1,005 |
| Subsequent temporary application charge May apply to each applicant lodging in Australia who already holds certain temporary visas. | $700 |
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
| Fee | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | $6,140 |
| Each additional applicant aged 18 or over | $3,070 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | $1,535 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)
| Fee | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | $6,140 |
| Each additional applicant aged 18 or over | $3,070 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | $1,535 |
The Skilling Australians Fund levy
The SAF levy funds training for Australian workers. For the 482 it is charged per year of the nominated period. For the 186 and 494 it is a one-off amount. Businesses with annual turnover under $10 million pay the lower rate. Some nominations are exempt, and refunds are only available in limited cases, such as when the visa is refused for reasons other than the applicant giving false information.
Frequently asked questions
Can the worker pay the SAF levy?
No. The SAF levy, sponsorship fee and nomination fee must be paid by the employer and cannot be passed on to the worker, directly or indirectly.
Are these fees tax deductible?
Usually they are business expenses, but check with your accountant.
Do fees go up every year?
Most visa charges are indexed each 1 July. We update the table when Home Affairs publishes new fees.
Official sources
Updated October 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times change often, so always check the official sources before you act.