The cost of Australian permanent residence is more than the visa charge. Skills assessment fees, English tests, health checks, police certificates and family add-ons all come before the grant, and most are paid in Australian dollars. This guide lists every cost for 2026-27, works through three examples, and shows how long each stage usually takes.
By Meeras Resource | Published 24 October 2026 | Last reviewed 24 October 2026
Key Takeaways
From 1 July 2026 the base visa application charge is A6,135forthesubclass189andA6,140 for the subclass 190 and 491.
Adding a partner or adult dependant costs about A3,070,andeachdependentchildunder18aboutA1,535.
A skills assessment adds about A500toA1,500 depending on the authority and pathway.
For a single applicant, the visa charge and skills assessment alone come to roughly A6,600toA7,650, before English tests, health checks and police certificates.
Most of the timeline sits before the invitation: English testing, skills assessment and the wait in the SkillSelect pool.The short answer
For a single Indian applicant, the government and assessment costs of Australia PR usually start at about A6,600andcommonlyreachA7,500 to A8,500onceEnglishtests,healthexaminationsanddocumentsareincluded.Acouplewithonechildapplyingforasubclass190shouldexpectthevisachargesalonetobeclosetoA10,750. The rupee cost depends on the exchange rate on the day each fee is paid.
This guide supports our main article on Australia PR from India, which explains the routes these costs apply to.
Visa application charges from 1 July 2026
| Visa | Main applicant | Partner or adult dependant (18 and over) | Dependent child (under 18) |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | A$6,135 | About A$3,070 | About A$1,535 |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | A$6,140 | About A$3,070 | About A$1,535 |
| Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) | A$6,140 | About A$3,070 | About A$1,535 |
The visa application charge is paid when you lodge, after you receive an invitation. Charges are usually indexed from 1 July each year, so an application lodged after the next 1 July may cost more. Holders of a 491 pay a separate, smaller charge later when applying for permanent residence through the subclass 191. Our 189 vs 190 vs 491 visa comparison explains the differences between these routes.
Every other cost before the visa is granted
| Cost | Typical amount | When it is paid |
| Skills assessment | About A | Before the Expression of Interest |
| English test (PTE, IELTS or another accepted test) | Paid in rupees at the test provider’s current fee; budget for at least one retake | Before the Expression of Interest |
| State or territory nomination | Free in some states, a fee in others | When applying for nomination (190 and 491 only) |
| Health examinations | Set by the panel clinic, per person | After lodging, when requested |
| Police clearance certificates | A small fee in India through Passport Seva; separate fees for other countries | Before or after lodging |
| Document certification and translation | Varies with the number of documents | Throughout |
| Professional fees | Set by the consultancy and given in writing before payment | As agreed |
Published skills assessment fees for 2026 include A940 for an Engineers Australia Competency Demonstration Report and A$1,096 for an offshore VETASSESS professional assessment. Our guide to the skills assessment for Australia PR lists every authority, fee and processing time.
Police clearance certificates are needed for India and for every country where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Each country sets its own fee and timeline.
Three worked examples
These examples count only the visa charge and skills assessment, the two largest fixed costs. English tests, health examinations, police certificates, documents and professional fees are added on top.
| Profile | Visa charges | Skills assessment | Total before other costs |
| Single accountant, subclass 189, CPA Australia offshore | A$6,135 | A$514 | A$6,649 |
| Single software engineer, subclass 189, ACS | A$6,135 | A$1,498 | A$7,633 |
| Civil engineer with partner and one child, subclass 190, EA CDR | A | A$940 | About A$11,685 |
If a partner is claiming partner points with their own skills assessment, add a second assessment fee. If an English retake is needed to reach a higher band, add a second test fee. Both can be worth the cost when they move a profile above the invitation score. Our Australia PR points calculator guide shows when that is the case.
How long the process takes
| Stage | Typical duration |
| English test preparation and result | A few weeks to three months, depending on the band targeted |
| Skills assessment | About 2 weeks to 4 months, depending on the authority |
| Waiting in the SkillSelect pool | Varies widely with occupation and score, from weeks to many months |
| State nomination (190 and 491) | Depends on the state’s intake windows and processing |
| Lodging after invitation | Within 60 days of the invitation |
| Visa processing | Set by Department of Home Affairs service standards, which change over time |
The parts you can control are the first two stages. A higher English score and a correctly prepared skills assessment both shorten the wait in the pool by raising your score. Our guide to the PTE score for Australia PR explains which band is worth targeting.
How to keep costs under control
- Confirm the occupation code before paying any assessment fee. A wrong code means paying for a second assessment.
- Prepare reference letters properly the first time. A request for further information or a negative outcome adds time and, with a review, cost.
- Take the English test when you are ready. A retake costs a full test fee.
- Track validity dates. An expired English result or skills assessment has to be paid for again.
- Lodge before 1 July where you can. Visa charges usually rise from that date.
- Ask for professional fees in writing. Any consultancy should state its scope and refund terms before payment. Our article on avoiding misleading immigration claims explains what to look for.
Common cost mistakes
- Budgeting only for the visa charge. Assessment, testing, medical and document costs add a substantial amount.
- Forgetting family members. Each additional applicant pays a charge and needs health examinations and, if 16 or over, police certificates.
- Paying for an assessment in the wrong occupation. This is the most expensive avoidable mistake.
- Ignoring the 491 to 191 cost. The regional route has a second application charge before permanent residence.
- Paying anyone who promises an outcome. No consultancy can promise an invitation or a visa. Decisions rest with the Department of Home Affairs.
How Meeras Resource supports applicants on cost and timing
We map the full cost of your route before you pay any fee, including family members, assessments and likely retests, and we plan the sequence so that results stay valid and nothing has to be paid for twice. Our own fees cover profile assessment, documentation and preparation support, and their scope and refund terms are given in writing before any payment.
We provide consultancy, documentation and preparation support. Visa decisions rest solely with the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant state or territory. Our Australia page outlines the routes we advise on, and you can request a profile evaluation through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Australia PR cost from India in 2026?
For a single applicant, the visa application charge from 1 July 2026 is A
6,140 for the 190 and 491. With a skills assessment, the total starts at about A
7,500 to A$8,500 once English tests, health examinations and documents are included.
How much does it cost to add my spouse and children?
A partner or other dependant aged 18 or over costs about A1,535. Each family member also needs health examinations, and those aged 16 or over need police certificates.
Is the Australia PR fee paid at the start?
No. The visa application charge is paid when you lodge the application, after you receive an invitation. Skills assessment and English test fees are paid earlier, before you submit your Expression of Interest.
How long does Australia PR take from India?
The preparation stages, English testing and skills assessment, usually take between one and six months. The wait for an invitation depends on your occupation and score and can range from weeks to many months. After an invitation you have 60 days to lodge, and processing then follows Department of Home Affairs service standards.
Are Australian visa fees refundable if the application is refused?
Generally no. The visa application charge is a processing fee and is not normally refunded if a visa is refused. This is why confirming eligibility and preparing documents carefully before lodging matters.
About Meeras Resource
Meeras Resource Pvt. Ltd. is a career and immigration consultancy established in 2022 and based at 913, 9th Floor, Hemkunt Chambers, 89 Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019. We advise individuals on overseas study, work and migration routes, and we support them through eligibility assessment, documentation, application preparation and interview preparation. Our guidance is grounded in the published rules of the issuing authorities, and we tell clients what those rules mean for their specific profile, including when a route is not open to them.
