Updated 1 September 2026 · Skills in Demand Cost Guide
Current subclass 482 government charges for workers, families and sponsoring businesses, including nomination, SAF levy and changing employer.
The base 482 visa fee is AUD 4,015 for the primary applicant for applications lodged from 1 July 2026. Each additional applicant aged 18 or over also costs AUD 4,015, while each child under 18 costs AUD 1,005.
That Visa Application Charge is only the worker side of the budget. A sponsoring employer may also need to pay AUD 420 for Standard Business Sponsorship, the AUD 330 482 visa nomination fee, and a Skilling Australians Fund levy of AUD 1,200 or AUD 1,800 for each year of the proposed visa.
Quick answer: A single worker’s government visa charge is AUD 4,015. For a new four-year sponsorship, an employer that is not already an approved sponsor pays approximately AUD 5,550 if turnover is under AUD 10 million or AUD 7,950 if turnover is AUD 10 million or more. These employer figures include the AUD 420 sponsorship application, AUD 330 nomination and four years of SAF levy; they exclude professional, recruitment and compliance costs.
482 visa fees Australia overview
The 482 is now the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, with Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams. The same standard base VAC applies across these streams. VEM’s subclass 482 Skills in Demand guide explains the stream requirements, salary thresholds, work rights and possible permanent-residence planning.
| Government cost item |
Current amount |
Usually paid by |
When payable |
| Primary applicant VAC |
AUD 4,015 |
Worker, or employer voluntarily |
When the visa application is lodged. |
| Additional applicant aged 18+ |
AUD 4,015 each |
Applicant/family, or employer voluntarily |
With the combined or subsequent visa application. |
| Additional applicant under 18 |
AUD 1,005 each |
Applicant/family, or employer voluntarily |
With the combined or subsequent visa application. |
| Standard Business Sponsorship |
AUD 420 |
Employer |
Only where the business needs sponsorship approval. |
| Nomination application |
AUD 330 |
Employer |
For each position/worker nomination. |
| SAF levy—turnover under AUD 10m |
AUD 1,200 per visa year |
Employer |
Paid upfront when the nomination is lodged. |
| SAF levy—turnover AUD 10m+ |
AUD 1,800 per visa year |
Employer |
Paid upfront when the nomination is lodged. |
| Subsequent Temporary Application Charge |
AUD 700 where payable |
Applicant, or employer voluntarily |
May apply per person to certain onshore temporary visa applications. |
Home Affairs has introduced a lower visa cost from 1 July 2026 for certain eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Concessions are limited and fact-specific; use the official estimator rather than reducing the standard charge manually.
482 visa application fee for workers and family
Visa Application Charge from 1 July 2026
The standard 482 visa application fee rose from AUD 3,210 to AUD 4,015 for the primary applicant on 1 July 2026. The adult secondary charge increased to the same AUD 4,015, and the child charge increased from AUD 805 to AUD 1,005.
| Applicant group |
Government VAC calculation |
Total VAC |
| Single primary applicant |
AUD 4,015 |
AUD 4,015 |
| Primary applicant + partner |
AUD 4,015 + AUD 4,015 |
AUD 8,030 |
| Primary applicant + one child under 18 |
AUD 4,015 + AUD 1,005 |
AUD 5,020 |
| Couple + one child under 18 |
AUD 4,015 + AUD 4,015 + AUD 1,005 |
AUD 9,035 |
| Couple + two children under 18 |
AUD 4,015 + AUD 4,015 + AUD 1,005 + AUD 1,005 |
AUD 10,040 |
These calculations show the VAC only. They exclude card/payment surcharges, a possible AUD 700 Subsequent Temporary Application Charge, health examinations, police certificates, English testing, skills assessment, translations, insurance and professional fees.
Subsequent entrants
A partner or child applying later usually lodges a separate subsequent-entrant application. The main applicant in that later application is charged AUD 4,015 if aged 18 or over; an included child under 18 is AUD 1,005. VEM’s 482 subsequent entrant guide explains consent, relationship evidence, health insurance and worked fee examples.
When the AUD 700 STAC may apply
The Subsequent Temporary Application Charge is not the fee for a family member joining later. It is a separate onshore charge that can apply when a person lodges certain temporary visa applications in Australia after previously holding specified temporary visas. It is assessed per person where payable. Confirm the actual visa history through the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.
482 visa sponsorship cost for an employer
The 482 visa cost for employer depends mainly on whether the business is already an approved sponsor, its annual turnover and the proposed visa period. Sponsorship, nomination and the SAF levy are different charges for different stages.
Standard Business Sponsorship: AUD 420
A business that is not already an approved Standard Business Sponsor generally pays AUD 420 to apply. Sponsor approval is usually valid for five years. A business with current approval does not pay this charge again for every worker, but it must remain eligible and use the correct sponsoring entity.
Nomination fee for 482 visa: AUD 330
The employer pays an AUD 330 nomination application charge for each nominated position and worker. The nomination identifies the SID stream, occupation, role, salary, location, proposed period and sponsoring business. The nomination fee for 482 visa is separate from the SAF levy and the worker’s VAC.
Skilling Australians Fund levy
The SAF levy is normally the largest employer government charge. For a temporary subclass 482 nomination, it is AUD 1,200 per proposed visa year for a business with annual turnover under AUD 10 million and AUD 1,800 per year for a business with turnover of AUD 10 million or more. It is paid upfront at nomination.
| Proposed visa period |
New sponsor, turnover under AUD 10m |
New sponsor, turnover AUD 10m+ |
If already an approved sponsor |
| 1 year |
AUD 420 + 330 + 1,200 = AUD 1,950 |
AUD 420 + 330 + 1,800 = AUD 2,550 |
Subtract AUD 420 if no new sponsorship application is required. |
| 2 years |
AUD 420 + 330 + 2,400 = AUD 3,150 |
AUD 420 + 330 + 3,600 = AUD 4,350 |
Employer total becomes AUD 2,730 or AUD 3,930. |
| 3 years |
AUD 420 + 330 + 3,600 = AUD 4,350 |
AUD 420 + 330 + 5,400 = AUD 6,150 |
Employer total becomes AUD 3,930 or AUD 5,730. |
| 4 years |
AUD 420 + 330 + 4,800 = AUD 5,550 |
AUD 420 + 330 + 7,200 = AUD 7,950 |
Employer total becomes AUD 5,130 or AUD 7,530. |
A shorter nomination period reduces the SAF levy but also shortens the worker’s potential visa period. The period should follow workforce need, eligibility and long-term strategy, not merely the cheapest line in a calculator. Employers comparing 482, 186 and 494 can use VEM’s employer-sponsored visa Australia guide.
Who pays 482 visa costs: employer or employee?
Australian sponsorship law fixes responsibility for employer-side costs. A sponsor must not transfer, recover or seek reimbursement of prohibited sponsorship expenses from the worker through payroll deductions, cash repayment, salary reduction or a side agreement.
| Cost |
Employer responsibility |
Worker responsibility |
Important rule |
| Sponsorship application |
Must pay where required |
Must not be made to reimburse |
Employer-side sponsorship cost cannot be passed to the worker. |
| Nomination fee and SAF levy |
Must pay |
Must not pay or reimburse |
These are mandatory sponsor costs and cannot be recovered from the worker. |
| Employer’s nomination professional fees |
Employer pays costs for securing sponsorship/nomination |
Should not be charged prohibited sponsor-side expenses |
Scope professional invoices carefully between employer and applicant work. |
| Visa Application Charge |
May voluntarily pay |
May pay own VAC |
Parties can agree the employer will assist; it is not the SAF levy. |
| Medical, English, police, translation |
May voluntarily assist |
Usually personal applicant costs |
Employment contract or workplace law may affect reimbursement arrangements. |
Salary is not a visa fee
For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576. The nominated salary must also meet the Annual Market Salary Rate. An employer cannot reduce lawful salary to recover sponsorship, nomination or SAF costs.
482 visa transfer to a new employer cost
There is no single government charge called a “482 transfer fee.” A new employer normally needs to become or remain an approved sponsor and lodge a fresh nomination before the worker starts in the new sponsored role, subject to the worker’s visa conditions and current rules.
What the new employer may pay
- AUD 420 sponsorship fee if the new business is not already an approved sponsor.
- AUD 330 new nomination fee for the worker and proposed position.
- A new SAF levy calculated using the new employer’s turnover and proposed nomination period.
- Professional and recruitment costs where used, subject to sponsor obligations and workplace law.
Does the worker need a new visa application?
Not always. If the existing 482 visa remains valid and the new approved nomination supports employment under its conditions, a separate new VAC may not be required merely because the sponsor changes. A new visa application may still be necessary if the worker needs a longer stay, the current visa is expiring, the proposed occupation or arrangement is not covered, or another visa criterion requires it.
The worker should not start with the new employer until the legal requirements are satisfied. The period allowed after sponsored employment ends is not permission to disregard condition 8607 or work for any employer without an approved nomination. Review the grant notice and VEVO record before changing work.
482 visa cost calculator: worked examples
Example 1: single worker, small business, four years
Employer: AUD 420 sponsorship + AUD 330 nomination + AUD 4,800 SAF = AUD 5,550. Worker VAC: AUD 4,015. Combined government charges: AUD 9,565, excluding personal and professional expenses.
Example 2: worker, partner and child; large business; four years
Employer: AUD 420 sponsorship + AUD 330 nomination + AUD 7,200 SAF = AUD 7,950. Family VAC: AUD 4,015 + 4,015 + 1,005 = AUD 9,035. Combined government charges: AUD 16,985, before STAC, medicals, police, English, translations and advice.
Example 3: move to an already approved small-business sponsor for two years
New employer: AUD 330 nomination + AUD 2,400 SAF = AUD 2,730. If the current visa remains suitable and no new visa application is required, there may be no new AUD 4,015 VAC. If a fresh 482 visa is needed, add the applicable VAC and personal expenses.
A static 482 visa cost calculator cannot test sponsor approval, SAF exemptions, turnover, visa history, concessions or whether a new visa is required. Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator at lodgement and document the assumptions behind any total.
Other expenses beyond the 482 visa price
The final cost of 482 visa preparation can include:
Applicant evidence
English tests, skills assessment where required, medical examinations, police certificates, biometrics, translations and document certification.
Health insurance
Primary and secondary applicants must maintain adequate health cover unless an applicable arrangement satisfies the requirement.
Employer preparation
Recruitment advertising, labour market testing, payroll and market-salary evidence, HR compliance, business records and professional assistance.
Future pathway
A later subclass 186 nomination and visa have new government charges and eligibility tests; the 482 payment does not prepay permanent residence.
Occupation choice can affect skills assessment and evidence costs. Check VEM’s current 482 Core Skills Occupation List guide before spending on a nomination. For Labour Agreement or DAMA cases, use VEM’s DAMA visa Australia guide to understand the extra employer-led agreement stages.
Are 482 visa fees refundable?
Government application charges are generally not refunded simply because an application is refused, withdrawn, delayed or the applicant changes their mind. The nomination charge is also generally not refundable. The SAF levy has limited statutory refund circumstances; eligibility depends on the exact event and evidence, not general unfairness or an unsuccessful recruitment outcome.
Do not structure a budget around receiving a refund. Check the applicable refund provision before lodging or withdrawing, and keep evidence of the nomination, visa outcome, employment commencement and any event said to trigger the refund.
Planning the 482-to-186 cost
A subclass 482 can support a later permanent pathway, but it is not automatic. The employer and worker may later pay new subclass 186 nomination, SAF and visa charges if eligible. VEM’s Employer Nomination Scheme 186 guide explains Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry and Labour Agreement options.
Need an accurate 482 cost plan?
VEM can map the sponsoring entity, stream, occupation, salary, proposed visa period, family members and employer/worker payment responsibilities before lodgement.
Discuss your 482 visa with VEM
FAQs
How much is the 482 visa fee in Australia in 2026?
For applications lodged from 1 July 2026, the primary applicant VAC is AUD 4,015. Each additional applicant aged 18 or over is AUD 4,015 and each child under 18 is AUD 1,005. Employer sponsorship, nomination and SAF levy charges are separate.
What is the nomination fee for a 482 visa?
The nomination application charge is AUD 330 per nomination. The sponsoring employer must pay it and cannot recover it from the worker. The SAF levy is an additional employer charge paid with the nomination.
How much does a 482 visa cost an employer?
For a new four-year sponsorship, government employer charges are approximately AUD 5,550 for turnover under AUD 10 million or AUD 7,950 for turnover of AUD 10 million or more. If the business is already an approved sponsor, subtract the AUD 420 sponsorship application charge where no new approval is needed.
Can an employer make the employee pay the SAF levy?
No. The sponsor must pay the SAF levy and cannot transfer or recover it from the worker through reimbursement, deductions, reduced salary or another arrangement. The same prohibition applies to mandatory sponsorship and nomination costs.
Can an employer pay the employee’s 482 visa application fee?
Yes. The parties may agree that the employer voluntarily pays or reimburses the worker’s VAC and personal application costs. That does not change the separate rule that employer-side sponsorship, nomination and SAF costs cannot be passed to the worker.
What is the 482 visa transfer to a new employer cost?
There is no fixed transfer fee. A new employer generally pays AUD 330 for a fresh nomination, a new SAF levy based on turnover and proposed period, and AUD 420 if it needs sponsorship approval. A new AUD 4,015 visa application charge applies only if the worker must lodge a fresh visa application.
Does the 482 visa cost change by Core, Specialist or Labour Agreement stream?
The standard VAC is AUD 4,015 for the primary applicant in each SID stream. Total cost can still differ because nomination period, agreement steps, concessions, skills assessment, salary evidence, family composition and professional work vary.
Are 482 visa application fees refunded after refusal?
Generally no. Refusal, withdrawal or a change of plans does not ordinarily create a VAC refund. SAF refunds exist only in limited statutory circumstances. Check the exact provision and evidence before relying on a refund.
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