Comprehensive breakdown of the costs of immigrating to Australia

Immigrating to Australia is a dream for many people, but it’s important to understand that it comes at a cost. From visa application fees to skills assessments and English language tests, there are a number of expenses that you’ll need to consider before making the move. Understanding the cost to immigrate to Australia is key to planning a successful migration and avoiding unexpected financial challenges. In this blog post, we’ll explore all the expenses you’ll need to factor in when immigrating to Australia, giving you a clear idea of what it takes to make your dream a reality.

Visa Application Fee

The first cost to consider is the visa application fee, which is the cost of applying for a visa to enter Australia. The visa application fee varies depending on the type of visa you’re applying for because some visas cost more than others.

• Visitor visa (subclass 600): $145 – $365

• Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601): $20

• eVisitor (subclass 651): Free

• Student visa (subclass 500): $630 – $1,575

• Working Holiday visa (subclass 417): $485

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): $4,045 – $4,875

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): $4,045 – $4,875

• Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188): $4,975 – $7,880

• Partner visa (subclass 820/801): $7,715 – $8,640

• Parent visa (subclass 103): $6,415 – $47,755

• Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457): $1,180

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482): $1,265 – $4,045

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): $4,045 – $4,875

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187): $4,045 – $4,875

• Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124): $4,045

• Global Talent visa (subclass 858): $4,110 – $4,885

• Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602): $365

• Protection visa (subclass 866): Free

• Training visa (subclass 407): $315

• Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462): $485

• Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408): $310 – $1,010

• Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173): $4,155 – $31,930

• Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143): $6,415 – $47,755

• Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132): $7,855 – $9,455

• Investor visa (subclass 891): $3,755

• Business Owner visa (subclass 890): $4,045 – $4,875

• Skilled Recognized Graduate visa (subclass 476): $415

• Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): $4,045 – $4,875

• Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887): $415

• Partner visa (subclass 309/100): $7,715 – $8,630

• Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300): $7,715

• TSS visa (subclass 482) Short-term stream (up to 2 years) Primary applicant: $1,265

• The TSS visa Short-term stream (up to 2 years) Primary applicant: $1,265

• TSS visa Short-term stream (up to 2 years) Additional applicant over 18 years old: $2,545

• The TSS visa Short-term stream (up to 2 years) Additional applicant under 18 years old: $640

• TSS Visa Medium-term stream (up to 4 years) Primary applicant: $2,645

• TSS Visa Medium-term stream (up to 4 years) Additional applicant over 18 years old: $5,290

• TSS Visa Medium-term stream (up to 4 years) Additional applicant under 18 years old: $1,320

• Significant Investor visa (subclass 188):  AUD 7,880 for the primary applicant and AUD 3,940 for each additional adult applicant. The fee for each additional child applicant is AUD 1,970.

• The Premium Investor visa (subclass 188): AUD 8,770 for the primary applicant plus and AUD 4,385 for each additional adult applicant. The fee for each additional child applicant is AUD 2,195.

Skill Assessment Fee Cost

If you’re applying for a skilled migration visa, you’ll need to have your qualifications and work experience assessed by a relevant authority. The skills assessment fee varies depending on the assessing authority and the occupation being assessed.

Here are the skill assessment authorities, the occupations they assess and their fees for skills assessments:

Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Occupations assessed: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $500
• Skills Assessment for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): AUD $1,200

Australian Dental Council (ADC)

Occupations assessed: Dentists

Fees:

• Initial assessment of qualifications: AUD $2,500
• Final assessment of qualifications: AUD $3,250

Australian Institute of Management (AIM)

Occupations assessed: Management professionals

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $650

Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS)

Occupations assessed: Medical Scientists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $770

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

Occupations assessed: Nurses and Midwives

Fees:

• Skills Assessment for Nurses: AUD $640
• Skills Assessment for Midwives: AUD $640

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)

Occupations assessed: Accountants

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (General Skilled Migration): AUD $550
• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $550

Engineers Australia (EA)

Occupations assessed: Engineers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,200

Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

Occupations assessed: Accountants

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (General Skilled Migration): AUD $495
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $495

TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)

Occupations assessed: Tradespersons

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $3,520
• Trades Recognition Service (Overseas Qualification Recognition): AUD $1,780

VETASSESS

Occupations assessed: Various skilled occupations including trade and non-trade occupations

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $810
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $1,100
• Qualification Assessment: AUD $665

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Occupations assessed: Social Workers, Community Workers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $765

Australian Council for the Arts (ACA)

Occupations assessed: Artists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $345

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Occupations assessed: Quantity Surveyors

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,600

Australian Property Institute (API)

Occupations assessed: Property professionals

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,500

CPA Australia

Occupations assessed: Accountants

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (General Skilled Migration): AUD $550
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $550

Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)

Occupations assessed: Pharmacists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $2,430

Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA)

Occupations assessed: Engineers and Engineering Technologists in Public Works and Asset Management

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,500

Medical Board of Australia (MBA)

Occupations assessed: Medical Practitioners

Fees:

• Primary Source Verification (PSV): AUD $680

Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ)

Occupations assessed: Optometrists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $3,000

Physical Education Teachers Education Council (PETEC)

Occupations assessed: Physical Education Teachers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $750

Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)

Occupations assessed: Speech Pathologists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $1,050

Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC)

Occupations assessed: Podiatrists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $1,750

Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council (AOAC)

Occupations assessed: Osteopaths

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $2,000

Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Occupations assessed: ICT Professionals

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $500
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $500

Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)

Occupations assessed: Managers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $550
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $550

Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)

Occupations assessed: Migration Agents

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $2,015

Institute of Surveyors Australia (ISA)

Occupations assessed: Surveyors

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $1,890

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Occupations assessed: Surgeons

Fees:

• Assessment of Training (including comparability assessment): AUD $6,500

Australian Dental Council (ADC)

Occupations assessed: Dentists

Fees:

• Initial assessment (stage 1): AUD $2,240
• Final assessment (stage 2): AUD $4,485

Australian Institute of Building (AIB)

Occupations assessed: Building Professionals

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $550
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $550

Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AIBB)

Occupations assessed: Business Brokers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,485

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Occupations assessed: Quantity Surveyors

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $2,300

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)

Occupations assessed: Accountants

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $550
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $550

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

Occupations assessed: Actors and Theatre Professionals

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $350

Australian College of Nursing (ACN)

Occupations assessed: Nurses

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $640
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $640

Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)

Occupations assessed: Landscape Architects

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,450

Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)

Occupations assessed: Radiographers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $800
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $800

Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH)

Occupations assessed: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,980

Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management (AITPM)

Occupations assessed: Traffic Engineers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $2,200

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

Occupations assessed: Seafarers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $895

Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA)

Occupations assessed: Building Designers

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,200

Occupational Therapy Council (OTC)

Occupations assessed: Occupational Therapists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,000

Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)

Occupations assessed: Pharmacists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $1,295
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $1,295

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

Occupations assessed: Urban and Regional Planners

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,980

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Occupations assessed: Surgeons

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,950

Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)

Occupations assessed: Speech Pathologists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,200

Australian Dental Council (ADC)

Occupations assessed: Dentists

Fees:

• Initial Assessment of Qualifications: AUD $1,350
• Written Examination: AUD $3,000
• Clinical Examination: AUD $6,500

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

Occupations assessed: Nurses and Midwives

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $640 – $860 (depending on the occupation)
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $860

Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

Occupations assessed: Accountants

Fees:

• Skills Assessment (Temporary Graduate, Skilled Migration): AUD $550 – $1,100 (depending on the membership status)
• Skills Assessment (Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme): AUD $1,100

Australian Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (AIR)

Occupations assessed: Radiographers and Radiation Therapists

Fees:

• Skills Assessment: AUD $1,050

English Language test Fee

Most visa types require applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency through a recognized test. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) charges AUD $330 in for the General Training and Academic tests. The Pearson test of English (PTE) Academic test costs AUD $375.

Health Examination Fee

The cost of a standard medical examination for an adult is AUD $360.

Police Clearance Certificate Fee

All applicants for an Australian visa will need to provide a police clearance certificate from each country where they have lived for more than 12 months in the last ten years. The cost of obtaining a police clearance certificate varies depending on the country where the certificate is obtained. For example, the cost of obtaining a police clearance certificate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States is around USD $18.

Migration Agent Fee

If you decide to use a registered migration agent to assist you with your visa application, you’ll need to pay a fee for their services. The fee charged by a migration agent varies depending on the level of service provided and the complexity of your application. For example, a migration agent may charge anywhere from AUD $2,000 to AUD $10,000 for their services, depending on the type of visa and the level of assistance required.

Travel Costs

Once you’ve been granted a visa, you’ll need to consider the cost of travel to Australia. The cost of travel will depend on your country of origin, the airline you choose and the time of year you travel.

For example, a one-way economy class ticket from London to Sydney can cost anywhere from AUD $800 to AUD $2,500, depending on the time of year and the airline. Be sure to Book Direct with the Airline for the best price.

Initial Accommodation Costs

Upon arriving in Australia, you’ll need to arrange temporary accommodation while you search for a more permanent home. The cost of temporary accommodation will depend on your location, the type of accommodation you choose, and the duration of your stay. For example, a hotel room in a major city like Sydney can cost around AUD $150 to AUD $300 per night. Alternatively, renting an Airbnb apartment for a week can cost around AUD $600 to AUD $1,000. Booking directly with the hotel gives you the best long term savings in Australia.

Cost of Living

According to Numbeo, the cost of living index in Sydney is 77.04, while the cost of living index in Melbourne is 71.38. This means that Sydney is approximately 23% more expensive than Melbourne.

Costs to consider when calculating your cost of living include:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Utilities (water, gas, electricity, internet)
• Groceries and household items
• Dining out and entertainment
• Transportation (car, public transport)

Education Costs

If you’re moving to Australia with children, you’ll need to consider the cost of education. Australia has a high-quality education system, but the cost of education can be high. According to the Australian Scholarship Group, the average annual fee for a private school in Australia is around AUD $26,000.

Superannuation Contributions

If you are planning to work in Australia you will need to contribute to the country’s superannuation scheme. Superannuation is Australia’s retirement savings system, and employers are required to contribute a percentage of your salary into a superannuation account on your behalf. The current superannuation guarantee rate is 10% which means your employer must contribute 10% of your salary into your superannuation account. You can also make additional voluntary contributions to your superannuation account.

Taxation

Australia has a progressive tax system which means that the more you earn, the more tax you pay. The tax rate varies depending on your income with the highest marginal tax rate currently at 45%.

Driver’s License

If you plan to drive in Australia you will need to obtain an Australian driver’s license. The cost of obtaining a driver’s license is AUD $80.

Pet Relocation

The cost of relocating a pet to Australia can cost several thousand dollars.

Language Courses

The cost of English language courses are between AUD $300 to AUD $600 per week for a full-time course.

Initial Settling-In Expenses

Once you arrive in Australia, you may need to pay for some initial settling-in expenses, such as purchasing furniture, household items and a vehicle. These expenses can add up quickly so it’s essential to budget carefully.

The cost of purchasing furniture and household items will depend on your personal preferences and the quality of the items you choose. You can save money by purchasing second-hand items or shopping during sales periods. If you plan to purchase a vehicle you will need to consider the cost of registration and maintenance.

Professional Registration and Certification

If you work in a regulated profession such as medicine or engineering you will need to obtain professional registration or certification in Australia. You may need to complete additional education or training to meet the requirements for professional registration or certification.

Banking Fees

Australian banks charge various fees for services such as ATM withdrawals and account maintenance. It’s essential to research different banks and their fee structures to find a bank that offers competitive rates and low fees.

Social Activities

The cost of social activities can vary depending on your interests and preferences.

Cultural Adjustment

Moving to a new country can be a significant cultural shock and you may need to budget for expenses such as language classes and networking events.It’s important to be prepared for the cultural differences you may face and to take steps to integrate into the local community.

Work out your options with a Free Visa Assessment

Are you interested in immigrating to Australia but unsure of the easiest pathway for you? Take our free visa assessment today to find out! Our assessment takes into account your personal circumstances and qualifications to determine which Australian visa options are the easiest and most suitable for you. Don’t let the complexity of the immigration process hold you back from achieving your dreams. Take our free assessment today to discover the easiest ways to immigrate to Australia in 2023 from the Global Visa Bureau