It’s a new financial year and, as is customary, we have seen another increase to the Partner Visa Application Charge.
New Partner Visa fees as of 1 July 2026
For the subclass 820/801 and subclass 309/100 Partner Visas as well as the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300, the fees are as follows
- Primary Applicant: $11,710
- Dependent Applicant over the age of 18: $5,860
- Dependent Applicant under the age of 18: $2,935
For those who have already been granted the Prospective Marriage Visa and are now applying for the subclass 820 Partner Visa, the fees are as follows
- Primary Applicant: $1,955
- Dependent Applicant over the age of 18: $980
- Dependent Applicant under the age of 18: $485
We recognise that this is a significant increase and appreciate that it may affect applicants and their planning. Like many of you, we’re disappointed by this increase.
In fact, this is exactly why we created the Partner Visa Academy.
When we founded the Academy in 2018, we recognised that couples were already paying a substantial amount in government visa fees. Many people wanted professional guidance and reassurance throughout the process but didn’t necessarily need, or couldn’t justify the cost of having a migration agent manage the entire application.
Our goal was pretty simple – make quality migration support more accessible, so more couples could prepare strong Partner Visa applications without the additional expense of full representation.
The steady rise in Partner Visa fees has only reinforced why this approach matters.
To put it into perspective:
- In January 2013, the Partner Visa application fee was $3,975.
- In September 2015, it increased from $4,575 to $6,865.
- From 1 July 2026, the fee is now $11,710.
That represents an increase of $7,735 since January 2013.
We recognise the financial impact this has on couples and families. While we can’t change the government’s fees, we remain committed to helping as many people as possible navigate the Partner Visa process with confidence and at a price that is far more accessible than traditional full-service representation.
If you’ve been thinking about applying, or you’re unsure about the best timing for your application, I’d be happy to chat.
Lower fees for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders
From 1 July 2026, the government introduced a reduced Partner Visa application charge for applicants who hold a valid passport from one of 13 Pacific Island countries or Timor-Leste.
For eligible applicants, the fees are:
- Main applicant: $9,600 (instead of $11,710 — a saving of $2,110)
- Additional applicant 18 or over: $4,805 (instead of $5,860)
- Additional applicant under 18: $2,405 (instead of $2,935)
There’s no separate form or concession application. The discount is applied automatically when you lodge through ImmiAccount. The system recognises eligible applicants from the passport used in the application.
The reduced fee is based on the main applicant’s passport. If the main applicant qualifies, any family members included in the application also pay the lower rate, even if they hold a passport from a different country.
To be eligible, the main applicant must hold a valid passport from one of these countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
You can double-check the exact amount for your situation using the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
Previous Partner Visa Changes
In November 2023 and July 2024 respectively, Partner Visas and Prospective Marriage Visas can be granted while the applicant is either in or outside Australia.
Additionally, there continues to be discussion online about a change to Partner Visa sponsorship that would require the sponsorship application to be approved before the visa application can be lodged.
This change has already been made to the legislation previously. As it stands, the legislation change hasn’t been implemented in the application process. In other words, the legislation has been changes, but there has not been any impact to the current Partner Visa process. There is also no indication that the current process will be changing any time soon.
What’s happening with the processing times?
It’s no secret that Partner Visa applications have been taking a really long time to process. There’s also been a lot more media coverage around the Partner Visa backlog, understandably, as couples are frustrated with how long it takes to bring their loved ones over.
If you haven’t already, have a read of the Partner Visa Newsletter blog that we published recently. The Department is cracking down on Partner Visa applications and I think it’s a great thing for everyone (as long as you know what you’re doing).
Getting Started
As we always say, the best time to get started with your Partner Visa application is usually now (provided you meet the eligibility criteria). If you’re looking for some guidance while you DIY your application, we would love to help. The first step is to take a look at how the Academy works.
IMPORTANT: Please note, this does not constitute Immigration advice. Always seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before applying for an Australian Visa. Migration Law is constantly changing. This information is accurate only at the time of publication.
