482 visa fee

Detailed 482 visa fee (Skill in Demand visa) for Employees and Sponsoring Employers (Latest Update)

If you are considering applying for the Subclass 482 visa, it’s important to understand the full cost involved. Both the sponsoring employer and the visa applicant (employee) may have to pay different fees as set by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). According to the latest updated information on visa costs effective (from 1 July 2025), let’s explore in detail the 482 visa fee that you should be aware of, along with HTE Law Group

What does the overall 482 visa fee cover?

The Subclass 482 visa is Australia’s key program that helps local businesses hire skilled workers when they cannot find local staff. It allows skilled migrants and their families to live, work, and gain a potential pathway to permanent residency in Australia. The total 482 visa fee is paid across three required steps – sponsorship, nomination, and the visa application – with the costs strictly divided as mandatory payments between the sponsoring employer and the applicant.

Mandatory Employer Costs

These costs are the legal responsibility of the sponsoring business and the company must pay them. Under Australian migration law, the employer is strictly prohibited from trying to recover these fees from the employee. The mandatory costs include the Standard Business Sponsorship Fee, the Nomination Fee, and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy.

482 visa Fee – Applicant’s Government fee

These fees are the government charges that go directly to the visa application and are normally paid by the migrant and their family. They include the main 482 visa fee for the primary applicant, plus fees for any adult and child dependents. There is also an extra fee called the Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC) if you apply while already in Australia under certain rules.

Common ancillary costs included in the 482 visa fee

These are extra costs that applicants usually have to pay themselves to prove they meet the required standards for health, character, and skills. These fees are not government charges but are necessary for the visa to be granted. They typically include the costs for:

• Health Exams

• Police Checks

• English Language Tests

• Migration Agent Fees (if you hire one)

Detailed 482 visa fee for the employee (applicant)

The 482 visa fee applicants are divided into the mandatory government fees, which cover the visa grant itself, and variable ancillary expenses required to meet the health and character criteria.

Government Visa Application Charges (VAC)

The main 482 visa fee for the skilled worker and their family applying is the Visa Application Charge (VAC), which goes to the Department of Home Affairs. This fee recently went up. As of July 1, 2025, the base 482 visa fee for the main person applying is AUD 3,210. The total amount you pay will change based on how many family members you include and their ages.

Applicant Type	Visa Application Charge (VAC) (Effective July 1, 2025)
Primary Applicant	AUD 3,210
Dependent Applicant (Aged 18 and over)	AUD 3,210 per person
Dependent Applicant (Under 18)	AUD 805 per person

Therefore, the minimum cost for a single applicant is AUD 3,210, with the total increasing incrementally for each dependent.

Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC)

An additional government fee applies to applicants who are lodging their visa application while in Australia and have held certain prior temporary visas:

• STAC Fee: An extra AUD 700 per person is payable at the time of lodgement. This fee applies regardless of family size, and like the VAC, it is typically borne by the applicant.

Variable Ancillary Costs and Compliance

Applicants must budget for mandatory assessments and other non-government expenses necessary for visa eligibility. A total 482 visa fee for a single applicant, including the VAC and these variables, often exceeds AUD 4,000–6,000.

Expense Category	Typical Cost Range (AUD)	Purpose
Health Examinations	AUD 350–500 per person	Mandatory medical checks by a panel physician.
Police Checks	AUD 50–200 per country	Required for character assessment from countries of residence.
English Tests	AUD 410–450	Required to demonstrate language competency, unless an exemption applies.
Document Translations	AUD 25–100	For certifying non-English documents by an accredited translator.
Migration Agent Fees	AUD 2,000–5,000	Variable cost if professional legal assistance is retained.

The 482 visa fee for employer to become a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)

For an Australian business to legally hire a skilled worker on the 482 visa, the company must first be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). This requires a one-time government fee of AUD 420, which is non-refundable and must be paid by the employer. Once approved, the SBS status is typically valid for five years, allowing the business to sponsor multiple employees without paying this fee again. It is a legal requirement that this cost cannot be charged to the visa applicant.

How much is the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy for the 482 visa Australia?

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy is a mandatory fee the sponsoring company must pay when nominating a worker for the 482 visa. Its purpose is to help fund skills training for Australian workers. The cost depends on the size of the business:

Business Size	SAF Levy Rate
Small (Turnover Under AUD 10M)	AUD 1,200 per year of the visa
Large (Turnover AUD 10M or More)	AUD 1,800 per year of the visa

The company must pay the full amount upfront based on the visa’s length (up to 4 years). For example, a small business sponsoring a worker for four years pays AUD 4,800 upfront. This fee is tax-deductible for the business but cannot be charged to or recovered from the employee in any way.

Nomination fee for the Subclass 482 visa

The Nomination fee is the government charge for the second stage of the 482 visa, where the approved company officially nominates the job for the worker. The fee, which has been unchanged as of July 1, 2025, is AUD 330 for each position nominated. The employer must pay this fee, and it is strictly separate from the employee’s visa application charge and the SAF Levy. This fee is non-refundable and cannot, under any circumstances, be charged to or taken back from the employee.

How much is the 482 visa fee when applying for a subsequent Subclass 482 visa?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Subclass 482 visa fee in Australia

How much does it cost for a 482 visa?

The primary applicant’s 482 visa fee is AUD 3,210 (as of July 1, 2025), which also applies to any adult dependents. Dependents under 18 pay AUD 805 each. Applicants lodging onshore may incur an additional AUD 700 Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC) per person. 

How much is the sponsor fee?

The term “sponsor fee” generally refers to the Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) application fee, which is $420 AUD. If the term is used broadly to include all employer-mandatory costs, it encompasses the SBS fee, the Nomination fee ($330), and the SAF Levy.

Who pay for a 482 visa in Australia?

Do I need to pay visa fees upfront for a 482 visa?

Yes, generally all mandatory government visa fees for the Subclass 482 visa must be paid upfront at the time of lodging the respective application stage.