Are you planning to get a sponsored job in Australia this year? Moving to Australia with an employer-sponsored visa can change your life. But in 2026, the costs have changed a lot. The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is now fully in place. It replaced the old 482 visa. There are new rules for payments and levies. It is very important to know who pays what. This helps you avoid problems like illegal charges from employers. It also helps you plan your money well.
This guide explains every cost step by step. It covers from skills checks to permanent residency. All amounts are in Australian dollars (AUD). These are based on the latest rules in 2026. Fees can change, so always check the official Department of Home Affairs website.
Primary Visa Application Charges
These are the main fees paid to the Department of Home Affairs. In 2026, the big change is the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. It took the place of the old Temporary Skill Shortage visa. The SID visa has three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills (or Labour Agreement). The fees are the same for most streams now.
- Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Fee This is the main fee for entering Australia on a sponsored job. For the primary applicant (you), the base fee is around AUD 3,210. This fee went up a little from last year because of the Visa Pricing Index adjustment. For family members: Adult dependents (18 years or older): AUD 3,210 each. Children under 18: AUD 805 each. The visa lets you stay up to 4 years. Some people from Hong Kong can stay up to 5 years.
- Subclass 186 (ENS) Application Charge If you want to go for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme, the fee is higher. It is usually around AUD 4,910 for the main applicant. This is for the Direct Entry or other streams.
- Visa Pricing Index (VPI) Adjustment Australia changes visa fees every year on July 1. In 2025 to 2026, most fees went up by about 3%. This is to match inflation. So, if you apply later in the year, check the latest fees. The increase was around 3% for SID and ENS visas.
- Subsequent Temporary Intermediary Charge If you add family members later, after your first visa is granted, there may be an extra fee. This is a special charge in 2026 for some cases. It can be around AUD 700 or more per person in some situations.
These fees are paid by the worker or applicant. But many employers help pay the visa fee as part of the job offer. It is not required by law, but it happens often.
Employer-Only Mandatory Costs
Australian law is very clear. Employers must pay some costs. They cannot ask you to pay these. If they try, it may be against the rules. You can report it.
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy This is a training levy. Employers pay it to help train Australian workers. In 2026, for SID visas, it uses a yearly payment model. This means no big upfront cost. Employers pay it each year or part of a year. The amount depends on business size: Small businesses (turnover less than AUD 10 million): AUD 1,200 per year. Larger businesses (turnover AUD 10 million or more): AUD 1,800 per year. For a 4-year visa, a large business pays AUD 1,800 x 4 = AUD 7,200. Employers pay this at nomination time. They cannot take it from your salary.
- Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Fee Companies must become approved sponsors first. The fee is about AUD 420. This lasts for 5 years. Only the employer pays this.
- Migration Agent Professional Fees Many employers hire a migration agent or lawyer for the nomination. These fees are for the employer. Workers do not have to pay.
- Labour Market Testing (LMT) Advertising Cost Before sponsoring, employers must show they tried to hire local people. They advertise the job. This costs around AUD 500 to AUD 1,000. The employer pays for ads.
All these are employer costs only.
Worker-Facing “Out-of-Pocket” Expenses
Employers handle sponsorship. But you pay for your own preparation.
- Health Insurance (Bupa or Similar) You need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC). This meets visa condition 8501. It costs AUD 100 to AUD 300 per month. The price depends on cover level and family size. You pay this yourself.
- Skills Assessment Fees (AHPRA, VETASSESS, etc.) You must check your qualifications. Bodies like VETASSESS or Engineers Australia do this. Fees are AUD 800 to AUD 1,500. It depends on your job and authority.
- Medical Examination (Bupa Medical Visa Services) You need a health check. This includes the 501 exam and 502 chest X-ray. It costs about AUD 350 to AUD 500.
- Police Check (Australian Federal Police or Home Country) If you lived in Australia for 12 months or more, you need an AFP check. It costs around AUD 42. You may also need police checks from other countries.
These are your personal costs. You pay them directly.
Regional Discounts & Compliance Rules
Australia wants more people in regional areas. There are benefits in 2026.
- DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) Discount If your job is in a regional place like Northern Territory, employers get lower SAF levies. There may be visa fee cuts too.
- Visa Application Charge (VAC) Waiver In special cases, like health worker shortages or after disasters, the government may waive some fees. This is rare.
- Nomination Refund Rules If you leave early (in first 12 months), the employer may get some SAF refund. But they cannot take money back from you. Rules are strict.
Interactive Cost Summary Table 2026
Here is a simple table of main costs:
- Fee Category | Paid By | Estimated Cost (AUD)
- Sponsorship/Nomination | Employer | $420 + SAF Levy (yearly)
- SID Visa (Primary) | Worker* | $3,210+
- Skills Assessment | Worker | $800 – $1,500
- Health Check | Worker | $350 – $500
- Health Insurance (monthly)| Worker | $100 – $300
- Police Check | Worker | $42+
Note: Many employers pay the visa fee to attract workers. But law does not force them. Total personal budget for you: Around AUD 4,500 to AUD 6,000 or more. This depends on family and extras.
Conclusion: Plan Your Australian Journey
Getting an employer-sponsored visa in 2026 needs good money planning. Employers pay big costs like sponsorship, nomination, and SAF levy. You pay for visa fee (sometimes helped), skills check, medical, insurance, and police. Plan to have at least AUD 5,000 to AUD 6,000 ready for your costs.
This is a great chance to live and work in Australia. Be careful and check official sources. Would you like a simple checklist of non-refundable fees? Or a comparison of health insurance costs for people moving to Australia?
Disclaimer: This is for information only. Always check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website or talk to a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) before you decide or pay money. Rules can change.