The government visa fee is one part of the total cost of applying for Australian permanent residency. There are also skills assessment fees, English language test costs, medical examinations, police clearances, and migration agent fees. Every one of these applies to most applicants.

This article explains what each of the three main skilled migration pathways costs, what the government fee covers, and what else you need to plan for. All information reflects the position as of June 2026.

The Three Skilled Migration Pathways

Australian permanent residency through the points-tested skilled migration program is available through three main visa subclasses. Each has different eligibility conditions and different obligations after grant.

Subclass 189: Skilled Independent visa. A permanent visa. No state or territory nomination is required. No employer sponsor is required. You must score at least 65 points on Australia's points test and receive an invitation through the SkillSelect system. Once granted, you can live and work anywhere in Australia.

Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated visa. A permanent visa. You must be nominated by a state or territory government. Nomination adds 5 points to your score. Once granted, you must live and work in the nominating state or territory for two years.

Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This is a provisional visa, not a permanent visa. It allows you to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for five years. After three years of living and working in regional Australia, you may be eligible to apply for the subclass 191 (Permanent Residence: Skilled Regional) visa, which is the permanent stage of this pathway. Nomination from a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member is required. Nomination or sponsorship under the 491 adds 15 points to your score.

All three require you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Australian Government's SkillSelect system before you can receive an invitation to apply.

For information on employer-sponsored pathways to permanent residency, read our Skills in Demand visa guide.

Government Visa Application Fees

The Department of Home Affairs charges a visa application fee for each of the three subclasses. The fee varies depending on the visa type, the number of secondary applicants included, and the applicant's circumstances.

Visa application fees are indexed annually. Changes typically apply from 1 July each financial year. Do not rely on fee tables published on private websites. Those tables may reflect the previous year's charges.

Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator to get the current fee for your specific visa type and personal circumstances. The tool takes approximately five minutes to complete and provides a personalised estimate.

For a step-by-step guide to using the estimator, read our Australia visa pricing estimator guide.

Skills Assessment

Before you can lodge an EOI through SkillSelect, you must hold a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation. The assessment is conducted by an approved Australian assessing authority. It confirms that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your occupation.

The fee is paid to the assessing authority, not the Department of Home Affairs. It does not form part of the visa application fee.

Assessment fees vary significantly depending on the assessing body and the occupation. As a general guide, skills assessments commonly range from AU$500 to AU$1,500, though some authorities charge outside this range. Check the specific fee with the relevant assessing authority before you begin.

A Registered Migration Agent can confirm which assessing authority applies to your occupation and what the assessment process involves.

English Language Test

All three skilled migration visas require English proficiency above a threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. Accepted tests include PTE Academic, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, CELPIP, and LanguageCert Academic.

The test fee is paid to the test provider, not the Department. Fees vary by test type. If you need more than one attempt to reach the required score, the total cost increases.

A higher English score also earns additional points on the skills assessment points test. If your current score is close to the threshold, improving it may increase your invitation chances.

NAATI CCL: 5 Bonus Points Toward Your PR

The NAATI CCL (Credentialed Community Language) test is separate from the English proficiency requirement. It assesses your ability to interpret between English and a community language. Passing it awards 5 bonus points on the skilled migration points test.

Five points can make a meaningful difference in competitive invitation rounds. For applicants sitting just below the points needed for an invitation, NAATI CCL can move them above the threshold.

Desire Migration offers NAATI CCL coaching for Hindi and Punjabi at all three Melbourne offices.

For a full explanation of how the NAATI CCL test works and what the 5 points mean for your application, read our NAATI CCL points guide.

Medical Examination

Most applicants for the 189, 190 and 491 visas must complete a health examination with a Department of Home Affairs-approved panel physician. The physician charges a separate fee. This fee is not part of the visa application charge.

The cost varies by physician and by the applicant's age and location. Secondary applicants included in the application must also complete their own examination.

Police Clearance Certificates

Applicants must provide police clearances from Australia and from every country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Each country charges its own fee and has its own process. Some countries take several months to issue clearances.

Clearances typically need to be less than 12 months old when lodged. If your application takes a long time to be assessed, some clearances may need to be renewed.

Migration Agent Fees

A Registered Migration Agent manages the full application process: from checking your eligibility and skills assessment pathway, to lodging your EOI, responding to a nomination offer, and preparing your visa application.

For a points-tested skilled migration application, getting the occupational category, ANZSCO code, and supporting documents right from the start gives your application the strongest foundation.

Agent fees for skilled migration applications vary. They are charged separately and are not part of any government fee.

Desire Migration, led by Manisha Bhutani (MARN 2217756), charges AU$110 for an initial consultation at our Melbourne CBD office. This covers a review of your occupation, points score, and pathway options before any application is lodged.

What Is the Total Cost of Australia PR?

The total cost of a skilled migration application varies by individual circumstances. The components are:

  • Government visa application fee (use the official estimator)
  • Skills assessment fee (varies by assessing authority)
  • English language test fee (varies by provider; multiple attempts increase cost)
  • NAATI CCL test (optional but earns 5 bonus points)
  • Medical examination (varies by physician)
  • Police clearance certificates (varies by country)
  • Migration agent fees (vary by agent and complexity)

None of the additional costs above are included in the visa application fee. Each is paid separately to the relevant authority or provider.

For a full breakdown of all cost categories across the main Australian visa pathways, see our Australia visa fees guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost of getting Australian permanent residency?

The total cost of Australian PR varies by visa type and personal circumstances. The main cost categories are: government visa application fee, skills assessment fee, English language test fee, medical examination, police clearance certificates, and migration agent fees. None of the additional costs are included in the visa fee. Each is paid separately. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the government fee.

How much does the 189 visa cost?

The subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa application charge varies by applicant circumstances, including the number of secondary applicants. The fee is not fixed. It is indexed annually and changes on 1 July each year. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator and select "Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)" for a current, personalised estimate.

How much does the 190 visa cost?

The subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa application charge varies by applicant circumstances. It is indexed annually on 1 July. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator and select "Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)" to get the current figure for your specific situation, including the number of secondary applicants you are including.

How much does the 491 visa cost?

The subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa application charge varies by applicant circumstances and is indexed annually on 1 July. The 491 is a provisional visa. It leads to the subclass 191 permanent visa after three years in regional Australia. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator and select "Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)" for a current estimate.

How much does a skills assessment cost in Australia?

Skills assessment fees vary depending on the assessing authority and the occupation. As a general guide, fees commonly range from AU$500 to AU$1,500, though some authorities charge outside this range. The fee is paid directly to the assessing authority, not the Department of Home Affairs. Check the current fee with the relevant authority for your occupation before starting the process.

Can NAATI CCL help me get Australian PR?

Yes. Passing the NAATI CCL (Credentialed Community Language) test adds 5 bonus points to your skilled migration points score. Five points can be the difference between receiving an invitation and not, particularly in competitive invitation rounds for the 189, 190 and 491 visas. The test assesses your ability to interpret between English and a community language. Desire Migration offers NAATI CCL coaching for Hindi and Punjabi.

Plan Your PR Pathway With Desire Migration

The cost of Australian permanent residency is not a single number. It is a series of costs spread across the pathway, some of which happen before you even submit an EOI.

Desire Migration, led by Manisha Bhutani, a Registered Migration Agent with 15 years of experience (MARN 2217756), has supported over 11,698 clients through Australian visa applications, including skilled migration, employer-sponsored PR, and family pathways.

We operate from three Melbourne offices: CBD (1003/530 Little Collins St), Truganina, and St Albans. In-person and remote consultations are available.

To map your complete PR cost and timeline, book a consultation at desiremigration.com.au.