Australian Visa Costs are different according to the type of visa you are looking for. Not to mention the other costs you should consider when relocating to Australia. It can be expensive. However, if you plan it right and get the right advice up front, then the savings can certainly start adding up. Let’s break it down for you.
Migration Agents/Solicitors Costs
When you are looking to get a visa for Australia, most people will do a lot of online research to try and discover the type of visa they are eligible for and the process. It is at this time the decision to either go it alone, or engage the services of an Australian Registered Migration Agent or Australian Solicitor is taken.
As with all things, you get what you pay for. Costs can vary depending on the type of visa and the complexity of the visa. Remember the Agent/Solicitor has costs too, which include their time, insurance, overheads and registration fees.
Some agents charge a flat fee for their services and others an hourly rate – be sure to check how much the final figure may be before proceeding.
Visa application fees
Fees for common visas are as follows:
Australian skilled migration subclass 189, 190 or 489 application fees
AUD $3670 for the main applicant, $1835 for the second adult and $920 for each child.
Australian Partner, Spouse or Prospective Spouse visa application fees
AUD $7160 for the main applicant and $1795 for each child (if not Australian by descent)
Australian Business visa subclass 188 Innovation stream
AUD4,985 for the main applicant, $2495 for the second adult and $1245 for each child.
For all Australian visa application fees there is also a 1-1.32 % application surcharge (depending on the card you use to make the online payment) – unless paying by Bpay from an Australian bank account.
Visa application fees are payable at the time of lodging the visa application and are non refundable in most cases no matter what the outcome of the application is.
Now think of this. When you complete your Visa Application Form with the Australian Government – get it wrong and you and you can lose your money. With an agent/solicitor you are covered by insurance. Of course, you need to provide the correct information to start with.
If you want a discount from an Agent/Solicitor, simply ask – you never know what can happen.
Book a Call with Visa Advice and get the process started – CLICK HERE
Foreign Exchange
One of the biggest challenges of moving to Australia is affordability. The Cost of Living in Australia can be quite expensive and you need to plan for this. Watch our video on the Cost of Living in Australia where we went down each aisle of a Food Shopping Centre.
With the costs of relocating, fees, travel, setting up a new home, car and more, the costs can really start building up. With a Foreign Currency (FX) plan, you can change the risk of your currency conversion simply by signing up to an FX company and discussing your FX position with a qualified advisor. By the way, it’s Free. So you have nothing to lose.
I hear you say “why not a bank for my currency exchange?”. Well it’s simple. Banks generally charge more money for the currency conversion that an FX company does. We have selected two companies that we think provide excellent service. These are Sable FX and XE.com, both who provide a free account setup and no obligations. They also provide you with free advice as well – just what you need.
Relocation Costs
There are two general lines of thought with relocating to another country. First thought is to take everything with you and the second is to downscale and take only what you need or what is important to you. Either way, you will need to get a quote for your removal if you need items shipped to Australia. Most companies are moving to an online quote system and you need to have a tape measure handy and may lose the will to migrate. I would always recommend choosing PSS Removals as they generally have the best price up front anyway. Not only that, they have this brand new system whereby you can do a PSS video call in your own home or request a face-to-face survey. Either way, they are one of the best in the market and really take care of your move.
Banking
There are four major banks in Australia and quite a few smaller banks or tier 2 banks. All banks in Australia are highly regulated and that means a certain level of protection with your money.
Not all banks are represented offshore for migration. The two banks that are focused on migration are the CBA and Westpac. The process for setting up a bank account with either is straight forward – it is generally done online by completing a form. The CBA Application Form can be found here: CBA APPLICATION FORM
When setting up an account, you need to know the terms and conditions of the bank in relation to money laundering and identity. Most banks require you to identify yourself in Australia when you first land, to access your funds that you have transferred.
Footnote: It is very common for people to setup the FX Account and Bank Account at the same time and use the FX account to transfer to the Australian bank account. That way you have access to all of your money when you land in Australia.
Airfares
Australia is a long way for most people and depending on your circumstances, you can save a bunch of money, just by planning your air travel well. For instance, if you are travelling as a family, make sure you set up Frequent Flyers for all family members and combine these into a single household account. You never know when that might come in handy, such as upgrade o discounted Family Holiday.
Where you travel from makes a big difference to the price. Sometimes starting the major journey form a city outside of your country is a great choice. For instance, people in the UK can normally get a better deal by travelling to Australia from an EU country such as Ireland, Netherlands or France. Give it a try. Also consider doing a return airfare, especially if you plan on returning in the first year. This can save you a lot of money.
Migration Insurance
When you are planning to migrate, most people are worried about leaving family behind, especially if they become sick or they are afraid of a sudden death. Quite morbid, I know, but it does happen quite regularly. Now think that you are on the other side of the world and something happens – what would you do?
Migration Cover has created a product of insurance that will return you home if this was to occur. The insurance cover also allows an extensive add-on travel insurance which may suit your needs. Check them out and GET A QUOTE. They have pay by the month as well.
Conclusion
So the question was how much does it cost for an Australian Visa? Well, the answer is a little more complex than a straight forward number. It does depend on the visa type, how it is applied for and what your circumstances are.
