The visa fee is the smallest part of what an Australian visitor visa costs. Since 1 July 2026 the Subclass 600 Tourist stream charge is AUD $250 for one adult applying from outside Australia, but once you add insurance, medical checks, biometrics, translations and, for some families, professional help or a security bond, the total visa-related budget ranges from roughly AUD $500 for a simple solo trip to $10,000 or more for a large family or a complex case.
This guide breaks down each cost, shows what drives the total up, and explains how to build a realistic budget before you lodge. Figures here exclude flights and are estimates, not guarantees. Fees and requirements change, and your own costs will depend on your nationality, travel history and the stream you apply under.
Which Visa Do You Actually Need?
Before you budget, check whether you qualify for a cheaper option. The eVisitor (subclass 651) is free for eligible European passport holders, and the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) carries a small service charge for eligible passport holders from countries such as the US, Canada and several Asia-Pacific nations. Everyone else generally applies for the Visitor visa (subclass 600), which is the focus of this guide.
Using the wrong visa type wastes money. Home Affairs fees aren’t refunded if an application is refused, so confirm eligibility for the free or cheaper options before you apply for a subclass 600.
Subclass 600 Fees From 1 July 2026
The government application charge went up on 1 July 2026. Several sources report that the offshore Tourist stream rose from $200 to $250, and the onshore Tourist stream from $500 to $630. Older articles still quoting $190, $195 or $200 are out of date. The main charges are:
- Tourist stream, applying outside Australia: $250 per applicant.
- Tourist stream, applying inside Australia: $630 per applicant.
- Sponsored Family stream: $250 per applicant in most sources, although one source lists $415, so confirm the current figure on the Home Affairs website.
- Business Visitor stream: $250 per applicant.
- Frequent Traveller stream: $1,845 for eligible passport holders, valid for multiple entries over a longer period.
There’s no family or group discount. Each person, including each child, lodges a separate application and pays a separate charge. A refused application isn’t refunded, so mistakes cost the full fee.
Typical Budgets From AUD 500 to AUD 10,000
The table below shows typical visa-related budgets for three common scenarios, excluding flights, accommodation and daily spending. They’re planning estimates built from published fees and ranges, not quotes.
| Scenario | Typical visa-related budget (AUD) | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Solo adult, tourist, offshore | $500–$1,500 | $250 fee, insurance, possible medical and biometrics |
| Couple or family of four, offshore | $1,500–$5,000 | Separate fee per person, insurance and any medicals multiplied by head count |
| Sponsored family, Frequent Traveller or complex case | $3,000–$10,000+ | Higher charges, professional help, translations, plus a refundable bond if required |
The Low End: Around AUD 500 to AUD 1,500
A single adult with a straightforward application pays the $250 fee plus a few extras. Travel insurance for a short trip commonly runs around $100 to $400 depending on age, length of stay and cover. If you’re asked to provide biometrics, you may pay a collection fee, though some countries’ collection is included or free, so check the instructions for your passport country. A medical examination, where required, is commonly reported at roughly $300 to $600 per adult. Add translations of any documents that aren’t in English, usually $50 to $150 per document, and the total reaches the upper end quickly.
The Middle: Families and Small Groups
Costs multiply with each traveller. A family of four applying offshore pays $1,000 in government charges alone, before insurance for four people and any medical checks for each family member. Children under a certain age are sometimes exempt from some checks, but the visa fee still applies to every applicant.
The High End: AUD 3,000 to AUD 10,000 and Beyond
Totals above about $3,000 usually involve one of three things: the Frequent Traveller stream at $1,845, a large group, or professional help. A registered migration agent may charge somewhere between $500 and $3,500 for a visitor visa depending on complexity, and fees vary widely between agents. Complex cases, such as previous refusals or unclear finances, are where professional advice tends to pay for itself.
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Security Bonds in the Sponsored Family Stream
Under the Sponsored Family stream, Home Affairs can require an Australian sponsor to lodge a security bond, which sources commonly put between $5,000 and $15,000 per person. The bond is paid by the sponsor, not the visitor, and is returned if the visitor follows the visa conditions and leaves on time. Because it ties up a large sum, it should be budgeted as refundable cash flow and not as a cost, but the sponsor needs to be able to afford it up front.
Costs That Aren’t on the Visa Fee Page
Several smaller costs add up and are easy to miss. Police certificates, where required, vary by country. Overseas visitor health cover is strongly recommended, because Australian hospital costs for uninsured visitors can be high, and for some stays it’s expected. Payment surcharges on cards and currency conversion fees also apply, and the exchange rate you get can change the real cost by a few percent. For large payments such as a bond or agent fees, it’s worth comparing a specialist currency transfer service with your bank.
Proof of Funds
Australia doesn’t publish a fixed bank balance for visitor visas, but you need to show you can support yourself for the whole stay without working. As a rough planning figure, many applicants budget around $150 to $250 a day for accommodation, food and incidentals, depending on travel style and who is paying for what. Recent bank statements showing consistent savings are generally more persuasive than a single large deposit just before you apply. These figures are planning estimates only, and they aren’t government requirements.
How to Build Your Budget
- Confirm whether you can use the free eVisitor or the ETA before choosing the subclass 600.
- Identify your stream and the exact fee for each traveller on the Home Affairs website.
- Check whether your passport country requires biometrics or a medical examination, and get quotes.
- Price travel insurance for the exact dates and the number of travellers.
- List documents needing translation or certification and estimate the cost.
- Decide whether your case warrants a registered migration agent, and get a written fee quote.
- Add a buffer for currency fees and any additional document requests during processing.
Compliance Considerations
Only apply through the official Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal, and be cautious of third-party sites that add large fees for submitting a form you can lodge yourself. Make sure every detail is accurate, because errors can lead to refusal and a forfeited fee. A visitor visa doesn’t permit work, so don’t count on income during your stay. If you’re using a migration agent, check that they’re registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Australian tourist visa cost in 2026? The Subclass 600 Tourist stream costs $250 per person when applied for outside Australia and $630 when applied for inside Australia, from 1 July 2026. Other costs such as insurance, medicals and biometrics are extra.
Do children need to pay the visa fee? Yes. There is no family discount, and each applicant, including children, pays a separate application charge.
Is the visa fee refunded if my application is refused? No. The visa application charge isn’t refunded if the application is refused, so check your documents carefully before lodging.
Do I need a medical examination for a visitor visa? Only in some cases, depending on your nationality, length of stay and health history. Where required, sources report costs of roughly $300 to $600 per adult.
What is the security bond for the Sponsored Family stream? It’s a refundable bond lodged by an Australian sponsor, usually between $5,000 and $15,000 per person according to published sources, and it’s returned if the visitor complies with their visa conditions.
Can I work on a visitor visa? No. Visitor visas don’t allow work, so you need to show you can fund your stay yourself.
Conclusion
The cost of an Australian visitor visa runs from about $500 for a simple solo application to $10,000 or more for large or complex cases, and the government fee is usually only a fraction of the total. Check whether you can use the free eVisitor or the ETA, budget for every traveller separately, and confirm current fees on the Home Affairs website before you lodge.
Sources
Fees changed on 1 July 2026 and may change again, and cost ranges are estimates. Verify current figures with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Asia Pacific Group, Fee for Australian Tourist Visa: The Complete 2026 Cost Guide: https://asiapacificgroup.com/blog/australian-tourist-visa-cost-fees/
- Migratio, Australia visitor visa (subclass 600): full cost breakdown for 2026: https://migratio.com.au/blog/australia-visitor-visa-600-cost-fees
- Widen, Visitor (600) visa cost 2026-27: https://www.widen.com.au/visa-fees/600/
- Oracle Immigration, Subclass 600 Visitor Visa Fee 2026: https://oracleimmigration.com.au/subclass-600-visitor-visa-fee-2026/
- 600 Visa Insurance, Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Fees Increased from 1 July 2026: https://600visainsurance.com.au/blog/australia_visitor_visa__subclass_600__application_fees_increased_from_1_july_2026
- Gaura Travel, Australia Visitor Visa Fees 2026: https://gauratravel.com.au/blog/family-kids-travel/australia-visitor-visa-fees-are-increasing/
- Abbasi Migration, Tourist Visa Australia 2026 Guide: https://abbasimigration.com.au/tourist-visa-australia-proven-2026-guide/
- Edvise Hub, Visitor Visa Australia Fee 2026: https://www.edvisehub.com/visitor-visa-australia-application-fee/
- Australian Department of Home Affairs (official fees and visa information): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority: https://www.mara.gov.au