The true cost of an Australia 189 visa is AUD $8,000–$12,000+ when you include skills assessment, English test, health exam, and police clearances — not just the AUD $4,910 application fee.
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Australia 189 True Cost — Quick Answer (2026)
💸 Visa fee: AUD $4,910
📋 Skills assessment: AUD $500–$1,500
🗣 English test: AUD $400–$500
🏥 Health exam: AUD $400–$800
👮 Police clearance: AUD $50–$200
💼 Migration agent (optional): AUD $2,000–$5,000
📊 Total realistic: AUD $8,000–$12,000+
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Most websites tell you the Australia 189 visa costs AUD $4,910. That's the government application fee. The actual cost of getting from "I want to move to Australia" to "I have permanent residency" is significantly higher.
Here's the full picture.
The government fee: AUD $4,910
This is the base application charge for the primary applicant on a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). It was recently increased from $4,640.
For families:
- Spouse/partner (18+): AUD $4,910 (same as primary)
- Each child (under 18): approximately AUD $2,455
A family of four (two adults, two children) pays approximately AUD $14,730 in visa fees alone.
Skills assessment: $625 to $1,498
Before you can even submit an Expression of Interest, you need a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority for your occupation.
| Occupation | Assessing authority | Fee (AUD) | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT professionals | ACS | $1,498 | ~15 days |
| Nurses (full assessment) | ANMAC | $595 | 8-12 weeks |
| Nurses (modified, AHPRA registered) | ANMAC | $395 | Faster |
| Engineers | Engineers Australia | ~$800-1,200 | 6-12 weeks |
| Most other occupations | VETASSESS | ~$800-1,000 | 10-12 weeks |
| Accountants | CPA/CAANZ/IPA | ~$500-600 | 8-10 weeks |
For IT professionals coming from India, the ACS General Skills assessment at $1,498 is a significant upfront cost — and you pay it before you even know if you'll be invited to apply.
English language test: $150-400
You need at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band) to apply, but that scores you zero points. Most competitive applicants target Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each band = 10 points) or Superior (IELTS 8.0 each band = 20 points).
Eight different tests are now accepted since August 2025, including IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT, MET, and OET (for healthcare workers).
Budget $300 for the test, plus potentially $300-500 for preparation courses if you're targeting Superior English.
Health examination: ~$350
You must use a Bupa Medical Visa Services panel physician. The exam includes a medical examination, chest x-ray, and potentially blood tests. Results are valid for 12 months.
If you complete the exam early and your visa takes 9+ months to process, your results could expire — requiring a second exam and another $350.
Police certificates: ~$50-200
You need police clearance from every country where you've lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years since turning 16.
For Indians: apply through the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Processing takes 1-3 weeks from within India, or 5-6 weeks if you're applying from abroad through a consulate.
For Filipinos: NBI Clearance, 1-2 weeks.
The hidden cost: second instalment for dependants
If your spouse or partner can't demonstrate Functional English (IELTS 4.5 average or equivalent), you'll need to pay a second instalment charge of approximately AUD $4,890.
This is a cost nobody mentions until the bill arrives. If your partner doesn't speak English well, either invest in English classes before applying or budget for this charge.
The real total
| Item | Single applicant | Family of 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | $4,910 | $12,275 |
| Skills assessment (IT) | $1,498 | $1,498 |
| IELTS/PTE | $300 | $600 |
| Health exam | $350 | $700 |
| Police clearance | $100 | $200 |
| Second instalment (if applicable) | — | $4,890 |
| **Total** | **~$7,160** | **$15,270 - $20,160** |
Compare that to the "$4,910" figure you see on most websites. The real cost is 45-50% higher for a single applicant, and potentially 4x higher for a family where the spouse doesn't speak English.
How to maximize your chances
The 189 visa requires a minimum of 65 points to enter the pool, but competitive invitation scores are 80-90+. Here's where points come from:
- Age 25-32: 30 points (the sweet spot)
- Superior English (IELTS 8.0): 20 points
- Bachelor's degree: 15 points
- 5-8 years overseas experience: 10 points
- Single applicant bonus: 10 points
All fees verified from the Department of Home Affairs, ACS, and ANMAC official websites, March 2026.
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✅ You qualify and it's worth it if: You score 80+ points and want permanent residency in a high-income, English-speaking country.
❌ Skip if: You need to start working fast — [Netherlands processes in 2-4 weeks →](/blog/netherlands-highly-skilled-migrant-2026-guide) at a fraction of the cost.
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*Underestimating the true cost leads to abandoned applications and lost fees. Budget the full amount before you start.*