Key takeaways
- The government fee is now $11,710: From 1 July 2026, the main applicant charge for onshore (820/801), offshore (309/100) and Prospective Marriage (300) visas rose by around 25%. One charge covers both the temporary and permanent stages.
- Family members and third-party costs add up: Each additional applicant aged 18 or over adds $5,860 and each child under 18 adds $2,935, before medicals, police checks and translations.
- A refusal costs you the full fee: The charge is not refunded if the visa is refused, so getting the application right the first time is the real saving.
On 1 July 2026, the government charge for a partner visa jumped from $9,365 to $11,710. That’s a 25% increase overnight, and it’s only the start of what most couples end up paying.
In this guide, we break down every cost involved in a partner visa, from the Department of Home Affairs charge to medicals, police checks and professional fees. We also show realistic totals for three common situations, so you can budget with confidence before you lodge.
What Are the Costs of a Partner Visa?
A partner visa involves several separate costs. Knowing each one upfront stops the surprises later.
- Visa application charge: The main fee paid to Home Affairs at lodgement, and the biggest single cost.
- Additional applicant charges: Paid for each family member included on the application, such as a dependent child.
- Health examinations: Required for the applicant and every included family member, booked through an approved panel clinic.
- Police certificates: Needed from each country the applicant has lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
- Translations: Any document not in English must be translated by an accredited translator.
- Biometrics: Offshore applicants in some countries must attend a biometrics appointment, which may carry a local service fee.
- Professional fees: The cost of a registered migration agent or lawyer to prepare and lodge the application.
- Travel costs: Onshore applicants who need to leave Australia while they wait may need a Bridging Visa B, which carries its own charge.
Your total depends on your pathway, how many family members are included and where the applicant lives.
Partner Visa Government Fees (From 1 July 2026)
The table below shows the Home Affairs charges for applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
| Pathway | Main applicant | Each additional applicant 18+ | Each additional applicant under 18 |
| Onshore partner visa (820/801) | $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
| Offshore partner visa (309/100) | $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
| Prospective Marriage visa (300) | $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
| Onshore partner visa for current 300 holders | $1,955 | $980 | $485 |
Two points catch people out. First, the onshore and offshore pathways cost exactly the same, so price shouldn’t decide which one you choose. Our guide to onshore vs offshore partner visas explains how to pick the right one.
Second, one charge covers both stages. You pay once for the temporary visa (820 or 309) and the permanent visa (801 or 100) together. There is no second fee when you reach the permanent stage.
Why Did Partner Visa Fees Rise in 2026?
Visa charges are reviewed every 1 July, and most years the increase is modest. The 2026 round was different, with the partner visa charge rising by around 25%.
What matters for you is timing, because the fee is set by the date you lodge, not the date you receive a decision:
- Lodged before 1 July 2026: You paid the old $9,365 charge, even if your application is still being processed.
- Lodged on or after 1 July 2026: The new $11,710 charge applies.
- Still preparing: Check the current charge on the day you lodge, as fees are reviewed every year.
Other Costs to Budget For
The government charge gets the attention, but third-party costs add up quickly, especially for larger families.
Health examinations
Every applicant, including dependent children, needs a medical with an approved panel physician. Fees vary by country, by clinic and by the tests required for each person.
If a health condition is flagged, you may also need a health waiver. Our Ultimate Guide to Health Waivers explains how that process works.
Police certificates
Applicants aged 16 and over need a police certificate from each country they’ve lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Each country charges its own fee, and some take weeks to issue, so start early.
Translations and certified copies
Any document not in English needs accredited translation. The most common are:
- Marriage certificates
- Birth certificates, including for any children on the application
- Relationship evidence such as joint leases, bank statements and correspondence
Couples with a long history overseas often spend more here than they expect.
Migration Agent Fees for Partner Visas
Professional fees vary with the complexity of your case. Typical fee ranges for partner visa support:
| Service | Cost range (AUD) |
| Initial consultation | $330 |
| Full application preparation and lodgement | $5,500 |
| Responding to requests for further information | $330 Hourly rate |
| Review or appeal support | Depending on scope of work, to be advised based on each individual matter |
It’s tempting to treat professional fees as an optional extra. We see it differently. A refused partner visa forfeits the full $11,710 charge, and reapplying means paying it again.
Many of the refusals we’re asked to fix come down to weak relationship evidence or the wrong pathway, and both are avoidable. Our guide to the evidence you need for a strong partner visa application shows what case officers look for.
Total Estimated Costs (Example Scenarios) for an Australian Partner Visa
Below are three common situations with estimated all-in costs. Third-party costs are allowances only and will vary by country.
Scenario 1: Onshore couple, no children (820/801)
| Cost item | Amount (AUD) |
| Visa application charge | $11,710 |
| Medicals, police checks and translations (estimate) | $500 – $1,000 |
| Professional fees | $5,500 |
| Estimated total (excluding professional fees) | $12,210 – $18,210 |
Scenario 2: Offshore applicant with one child under 18 (309/100)
| Cost item | Amount (AUD) |
| Visa application charge (main applicant) | $11,710 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | $2,935 |
| Medicals, police checks, translations and biometrics (estimate) | $900 – $1,600 |
| Professional fees | $5,500 |
| Estimated total (excluding professional fees) | $15,545 – $21,745 |
Scenario 3: Fiancé route (300, then 820/801 after marriage)
| Cost item | Amount (AUD) |
| Prospective Marriage visa (300) | $11,710 |
| Partner visa (820/801) as a 300 holder | $1,955 |
| Medicals, police checks and translations (estimate) | $500 – $1,000 |
| Professional fees | $5,500 |
| Estimated total (excluding professional fees) | $14,165 – $20,165 |
The fiancé route costs $1,955 more in government charges than applying for a partner visa directly, but it lets the applicant enter Australia to marry. Our comparison of the partner visa vs prospective marriage visa walks through when each makes sense.
How to Keep Your Partner Visa Costs Down
You can’t negotiate the government charge, but you can avoid paying for mistakes. In our experience, these four steps make the biggest difference:
- Choose the right pathway first: Onshore, offshore and fiancé visas suit different situations. Picking the wrong one can mean a refusal or a second application.
- Build your evidence before you lodge: Strong relationship evidence reduces the risk of requests for further information and delays.
- Order police checks and translations early: Rushed documents cost more, and expired ones may need to be paid for again.
- Decide who is included upfront: Adding a family member later can be harder and more expensive than including them from the start.
Other Important Considerations
Is the partner visa fee refundable?
No. The charge is generally not refunded if your application is refused or withdrawn, apart from very limited circumstances. That’s why we treat the first lodgement as the one that has to count.
Who pays the fee?
Either partner can pay. There is no separate government fee for the Australian sponsor.
Can you pay in instalments?
No. The full government charge is payable when you lodge, so make sure the money is in place before you’re ready to apply. Professional fees are paid in two instalments.
Where do most couples lose money?
In our experience, in two places: choosing the wrong pathway, and lodging with thin relationship evidence. Either can lead to a refusal, and a refusal means paying the full charge a second time.
How Cedo Consulting Can Help
A partner visa is one of the most expensive visa applications in Australia, and the cost of getting it wrong is higher still. We help couples:
- Choose the right pathway for their situation
- Build relationship evidence that holds up
- Lodge an application that’s ready for a decision
Before you pay $11,710 to Home Affairs, book a consultation with our team for a tailored cost estimate based on your situation. You can also learn more about our partner visa services.