What Does Australian PR Actually Cost?
The total cost of obtaining Australian permanent residency goes well beyond the visa application fee. Most applicants also need to budget for a skills assessment, English language test, health examinations, police clearances, and potentially migration agent fees. Our calculator helps you estimate the full picture.
Common Fee Components
- Visa application fee — the base charge paid to the Department of Home Affairs. For skilled visas (189, 190, 491, 186), the main applicant fee is currently $4,640 AUD.
- Additional applicant fees — partners and dependent children are charged separate fees on the same application.
- Skills assessment — required for most skilled visa pathways. Costs vary by assessing authority, typically ranging from $500 to $800 AUD.
- English language test — IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT results are usually required. Test fees range from $340 to $590 AUD.
- Migration agent fees — optional but common. MARA-registered agents typically charge $2,500 to $6,000 AUD depending on visa complexity.
Costs Not Included in This Calculator
For a complete budget, also consider health examination fees (approximately $300-$500 per person), police clearance costs for each country you have lived in, document translation and certification fees, and potential state/territory nomination fees where applicable.
For a full breakdown of costs by visa type, visit our visa costs guide.