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What an Australian skilled visa now costs in government charges: a budgeting guide for Ugandan applicants

News · 2026-08-06 · 4 min read

A family in Kampala or Entebbe planning a move for work will usually start with one question: how much will the application itself cost? The Australian Government raised application charges across nearly every visa category as of 1 July 2026. Anything lodged from that date onward is charged at the new rate. Here is what that means, set out as plain questions and answers.

What do employer-sponsored visas cost now?

• Skills in Demand (Subclass 482): $4,015, up from $3,210
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): $6,140
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494): $6,140

Bringing a spouse or children? Each additional family member adds a separate government charge on top of these figures.

And the skilled migration visas?

• Skilled Independent (Subclass 189): $6,135
• Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190): $6,140
• Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491): $6,140

What about study and graduate visas?

• Student Visa (Subclass 500): $2,500
• student guardian visa (Subclass 590): $2,500
• Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485): $5,750

And the partner visa?

The Partner Visa costs $11,710, the single biggest government charge in the system.

A worked example for a family

Take a family of three: the main applicant, a spouse and one child, applying for a Skilled Independent (189) visa. Government charges alone come to $10,745. That is before any of the following, each of which you should budget for separately:

• English language testing
• Skills assessments
• Medical exams
• Police clearance certificates, which for Uganda includes an Interpol police clearance

For English testing practice, PractiseNow is one option. For documents, keep your UNEB results and Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) certificates in order, remembering that a local qualification never automatically equals an Australian licence, skills assessment or registration.

How to turn the numbers into a savings plan

Write the list down before you talk to anyone. Start with the government charge for the visa you are considering, then add one separate charge for each family member who will apply with you. Next, add the four outside costs: the English test, the skills assessment, the medical exams and the police clearance. Finally, look at how long you realistically need to save, because the charge is paid when the application is lodged and the rate on that day is the rate you pay. A household that sees the full total early can decide calmly whether to wait, to choose a different visa, or to speak to an employer first about what the role requires.

Does this change an application I have already lodged?

No. If your application went in before 1 July 2026, you are locked into the old fee, even if it is still being processed. The new charges apply only to applications lodged from 1 July 2026 onward.

Is it still worth planning a move?

Higher fees have not changed the fact that Australia is still short on skilled workers, especially in carpentry, electrical, mechanics, welding, chef roles, butchery, HVAC, nursing, engineering and heavy vehicle mechanics. Thousands of employer-sponsored roles are still open to qualified overseas applicants. Look through the current jobs to see what employers are asking for, and think about whether a clear CV could help; Build AI CV can help you present your trade or professional experience.

Common mistakes Ugandan applicants make with costs

The most frequent slip is to budget for one person. Another is to assume the charge is refundable if plans change; check the official conditions before lodging. A third is to pay an unregistered helper, when a registered one is easy to check. Use the Register of Migration Agents for a MARA registration in Australia; for New Zealand, a licensed immigration adviser or lawfully exempt person. A fourth is to compare only the headline number between visa types without asking which one fits your skills. For related reading, see why visa fees rise and why timing matters for the Training visa.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest visa in the list?

The Student Visa (Subclass 500) and student guardian visa (Subclass 590) are $2,500 each.

What is the most expensive?

The Partner Visa at $11,710.

Is the 189 the same as the 190?

No. The 189 is $6,135 and the 190 is $6,140, and they are different visas with different requirements.

Where do I find the official list?

The visa listing on the Home Affairs site shows each visa.

Key takeaways

• Charges rose across nearly every visa category from 1 July 2026.
• Earlier lodgement keeps the old fee.
• A family of three on a 189 faces $10,745 in government charges.
• Plan for tests, assessments, medicals and police clearance as well.

#visa charges #australian visa #skilled workers #family budget #uganda #sponsored visa