Are you planning to secure your future in Australia this year? Navigating the financial landscape of Australian immigration has become more complex with the full implementation of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa framework. Whether you are a business looking to sponsor or a professional aiming for the “Lucky Country,” understanding the Australia Employer-Based Work Visa Charges You Must Know 2026 is the difference between a smooth move and a costly mistake.
In 2026, the Department of Home Affairs has shifted away from the old 482 model to a more dynamic, pathway-based system. Here is the definitive, step-by-step breakdown of the costs involved.
Mandatory Government Charges
These are fees you must pay to the government. They help run the visa system and support training for Australians.
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Base Charge
The SID visa is the main employer-sponsored work visa now. It has three streams: Specialist Skills (for high salary jobs), Core Skills (for most jobs), and others like Labour Agreement or Essential Skills.
The main visa application charge (VAC) for the primary applicant is $3,210. This is the same for most streams after the increase on 1 July 2025.
For family members:
- Adult dependents (18 years or older): $3,210 each
- Children under 18: $805 each
This fee is usually paid by the worker (applicant). It is non-refundable if the visa is refused because of mistakes in documents.
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy
This is a big cost for employers. The SAF levy helps train Australian workers. Employers must pay it. They cannot ask the worker to pay this fee. It is against the law to pass this cost to the employee. The amount depends on the business size:
- Small businesses (turnover less than $10 million per year): $1,200 per year of the visa
- Larger businesses (turnover $10 million or more): $1,800 per year of the visa
For a 4-year visa, a large business pays $7,200 in total. In 2026, employers can pay this levy in quarterly installments. This makes it easier for cash flow. Before, they had to pay everything at once.
- Visa Pricing Index (VPI) Adjustment Every year on 1 July, fees go up a little. This is because of inflation. In 2025, fees increased by about 3%. So, if you apply after 1 July 2026, the fees might be higher than in June. Always check the latest fees before you apply.
- Subsequent Temporary Intermediary Charge If you are already in Australia on a temporary visa and you add a family member (like a partner or child) later, there is an extra charge of about $700. This is for onshore applications.
Legal Employer-Only Expenses
Australian law says some costs must be paid only by the employer. The employer cannot make the worker pay these through lower salary or direct payment.
- Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Fee This is $420. It lets the company become an approved sponsor for 5 years. The employer pays this to start sponsoring foreign workers.
- Nomination Fee This is $330. It is the cost to nominate a specific job and a specific worker for the visa. The employer pays this.
- Nomination Training Contribution Charge This is another name for the SAF levy. Again, the employer must pay it fully.
- Labour Market Testing (LMT) Costs Before sponsoring, the employer must show they tried to find an Australian worker. They advertise the job on Workforce Australia and two other websites. This advertising costs between $500 and $1,000. The employer pays for this too.
Applicant Out-of-Pocket Costs
The worker (applicant) pays for these personal things. The employer does not cover them.
- Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) You need private health insurance to meet visa condition 8501. In 2026, this costs about $100 to $280 per month. The price depends on your age, family size, and coverage. You must buy this before the visa is granted.
- Medical Examination You need a health check at a Bupa clinic or approved panel doctor. This includes a physical exam and chest X-ray. The cost is usually $350 to $500.
- Skills Assessment Fee For many jobs, you need to prove your skills and qualifications. You pay an assessing authority like VETASSESS or Engineers Australia. The fee is between $900 and $1,450.
- English Language Test Fee Most streams need proof of English. Tests like IELTS or PTE Academic cost around $410.
Other small costs include police checks or document translations if needed.
Regional and Other Factors
Some things can change the total cost.
- DAMA Concessions If you go to a regional area (not big cities like Sydney or Melbourne), you may get lower fees or waivers. Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) help regional places. They can reduce SAF levy or other costs.
- Migration Agent Fees A registered migration agent can help with complex applications. They charge $2,500 to $5,000 or more. This is optional but useful for fast processing in Specialist Skills stream (sometimes 7 days).
- Priority Processing In some high-skill paths, faster processing is included or costs extra.
2026 Budget Summary Table
Here is a simple table of main costs:
- Item → Payer → Estimated Cost (AUD)
- SID Visa Application → Worker → $3,210+
- Sponsorship & Nomination → Employer Only → $750 ($420 + $330)
- SAF Levy (per year) → Employer Only → $1,200 – $1,800
- Skills Assessment → Worker → $900 – $1,450
- Medical Exam → Worker → $350 – $500
- Health Insurance (monthly) → Worker → $100 – $280
- English Test → Worker → Around $410
Total for a single worker can be $5,000 to $10,000 or more. For families, it is higher.
How to Avoid Refund Risk
The visa application charge is mostly non-refundable. If your visa is refused because of wrong or missing documents, you lose the money. Always check:
- Skills assessment is valid
- Medical results are correct
- All documents are ready
- English test is not expired
Use official checklists from the Department of Home Affairs. This guide gives you the main costs for employer-based work visas in 2026. The system is complex, but knowing these helps you plan better.
Disclaimer: This is for information only. Fees change, so always check the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website for the latest details before you make any decisions.