Cost of moving to Australia: 2026 guide
A plain-language breakdown of what it actually costs to move to Australia in 2026 — visa fees, skills assessment, flights, and settlement expenses.
Moving to Australia costs most skilled migrants between A$15,000 and A$50,000 by the time they have settled — and that range widens significantly depending on family size, visa subclass, and where you are coming from. This guide breaks down every major cost category so you can plan a realistic budget before you submit your first expression of interest.
What goes into the total cost of moving to Australia
The total spend falls into three distinct phases: pre-visa costs (skills assessment, English tests, EOI preparation), visa application fees charged by the Department of Home Affairs, and post-arrival settlement costs (flights, housing bond, furniture, Medicare gap period). Most applicants underestimate the first and third phases.
Skills assessment and English testing
Before you can lodge an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, you need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority and an English test result. Fees vary by authority and test provider, but budget for:
- Skills assessment: A$500–A$1,000 (some authorities charge more for certain occupations or require additional document review fees)
- IELTS, PTE, or equivalent English test: A$300–A$500 per sitting; many applicants sit more than once
- Credential evaluation and certified translations: A$200–A$800 depending on document volume
If you are unsure which assessing authority covers your occupation, the What is ANZSCO and why does it matter for your Australian visa? post explains how occupations are classified and which body assesses each one.
Visa application fees (Department of Home Affairs)
These are the fees set by the Australian government and adjusted periodically. The figures below come from publicly available Home Affairs data and apply to 2026 lodgements.
| Visa | Primary applicant | Additional adult | Additional child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) | A$4,640 | A$2,320 | A$1,160 |
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) | A$4,640 | A$2,320 | A$1,160 |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Regional) | A$4,640 | A$2,320 | A$1,160 |
| Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) | A$3,115 | A$1,560 | A$780 |
| Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination) | A$4,770 | A$2,385 | A$1,195 |
Fees shown are indicative. The Department of Home Affairs publishes the current schedule on its website — confirm the exact amount at time of lodgement.
For the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482), your employer typically covers the nomination charge (a separate fee), but the visa application fee above is usually your responsibility unless your employment contract states otherwise — always clarify this before you apply.
For families, costs multiply quickly. A couple with two children on a subclass 189 would pay roughly A$9,280 in visa fees alone.
Migration agent fees
Using a MARA-registered migration agent is optional but common. Agent fees for a skilled independent application range from A$3,000 to A$8,000 depending on complexity, and more for employer-sponsored or partner visa streams. This is a legitimate cost to include in your budget, not an optional add-on — a single error in a points claim or document can cause delays worth far more than the agent fee.
Settlement costs after you arrive
Visa granted does not mean costs stop. The settlement phase is where budgets most commonly blow out.
Flights and initial accommodation
Return flights for a family of four from London, Delhi, or Manila to a major Australian city typically cost A$5,000–A$12,000 depending on season and booking lead time. One-way fares are cheaper but you lose flexibility.
Short-term accommodation (Airbnb or serviced apartment) while you find a rental runs A$150–A$300 per night in Sydney or Melbourne. Budget for at least two to four weeks, which puts initial accommodation at A$2,000–A$8,400.
Rental bond and set-up costs
Australian landlords require a rental bond, typically four weeks' rent, paid before you move in. In Sydney's median rental market, that bond alone is A$3,000–A$5,000. Add first month's rent in advance, plus removalist costs or replacing household items you left behind, and set-up costs easily reach A$8,000–A$15,000.
Health insurance during the Medicare gap
Skilled migrants on permanent visas are eligible for Medicare from arrival. However, applicants on temporary skilled visas — including the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482) — may not have immediate access unless they are from a country covered by a reciprocal healthcare agreement. Check your country's bilateral arrangement and budget A$2,000–A$5,000 annually for private health cover if Medicare access is delayed.
Schooling, car, and ongoing set-up
- International school fees (if public school enrolment is not yet arranged): A$5,000–A$30,000 per year
- Used car: A$8,000–A$20,000 (essential outside major cities)
- Driver's licence conversion: A$200–A$600 depending on state
If you are considering regional pathways such as the subclass 491, factor in that regional centres have lower rental costs but often higher transport costs — a car is rarely optional. You can track how invitation rounds have been trending for regional visas in the April 2026 SkillSelect Invitation Round analysis.
Who faces the highest and lowest costs
Higher-cost scenarios
- Families with dependants: visa fees multiply per person, flights and set-up costs scale
- Applicants from countries without reciprocal healthcare agreements
- Those migrating to Sydney or Melbourne (rental and living costs are substantially higher than Adelaide or Hobart)
- Anyone requiring multiple skills assessment attempts or English test re-sits
Lower-cost scenarios
- Employer-sponsored migrants whose employers cover nomination and relocation costs
- Single applicants who can share housing initially
- Migrants using a Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa as a stepping stone — lower upfront commitment, ability to earn while exploring
- Those relocating from New Zealand, where the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461) removes most visa fee burden
Realistic total cost ranges
| Scenario | Estimated total cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Single applicant, 189/190/491, no agent | A$12,000–A$20,000 |
| Single applicant, 189/190/491, with agent | A$18,000–A$28,000 |
| Couple, no children, with agent | A$28,000–A$40,000 |
| Family of four, with agent | A$38,000–A$60,000 |
| Employer-sponsored (employer covers relocation) | A$8,000–A$15,000 |
These are broad estimates. Your actual spend depends on visa type, origin country, destination city, and how much you ship versus replace.
For applicants at the points-test stage, you can see current occupation rankings on the Migrant Hub dashboard to understand which occupations are receiving invitations and plan your timeline accordingly.
Common questions
How much does an Australian skilled visa cost in 2026?
The base visa application fee for the subclass 189, 190, and 491 is A$4,640 for the primary applicant, with additional charges for each family member included in the application. This is only the Department of Home Affairs fee — it does not include skills assessment, English testing, or agent fees.
Can I get my Australian visa fees refunded if my application is refused?
Generally, no. The Department of Home Affairs does not refund the visa application charge if an application is refused or withdrawn after lodgement. Confirm this policy on the Home Affairs website before lodging, as it means getting your application right the first time matters financially.
Does my employer pay any migration costs for a 482 visa?
For the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, the employer must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy and the nomination application fee. The visa application fee is typically paid by the applicant, though some employers include it in a relocation package — this is a matter for your employment contract, not the visa rules.
Is it cheaper to move to a regional area of Australia?
The visa application fees are the same regardless of where you settle, but ongoing living costs — rent, groceries, transport — are generally lower in regional areas than in Sydney or Melbourne. The subclass 491 is specifically designed for regional applicants and carries extra points weighting, which can reduce the time spent waiting for an invitation.
How much savings should I have before moving to Australia?
A widely cited rule of thumb among migration agents is three to six months of living expenses available in liquid savings on arrival, in addition to your visa and pre-departure costs. For a family settling in a major city, that often means having at least A$20,000–A$30,000 in reserve after all fees are paid. Your specific circumstances will vary — consider speaking to a MARA-registered agent for advice tailored to your situation.
Where to go next
If you are in the points-test phase and want to see which occupations are currently receiving invitations and at what points cutoffs, check the occupation rankings on the Migrant Hub dashboard.