The short answer
A partner visa in Australia in 2026 costs around $10,000–$15,000 in total for most couples, depending on whether you self-lodge or use a registered migration agent, your country of origin, and how complex the evidence work is. Cases with dependent children, complex prior visa history, or appeal requirements after a refusal can climb meaningfully higher.
The biggest single cost is the Department of Home Affairs application fee — currently $9,365 for the main applicant on subclasses 820/801, 309/100 and 300 (confirm at lodgement; it indexes each July). Everything else — medicals, police checks, professional fees, translations — sits on top.
The full breakdown
1. Application fee (Home Affairs)
- Main applicant: roughly $9,365
- Dependent applicant 18 or over: roughly $4,680
- Dependent applicant under 18: roughly $2,340
The same single fee covers both stages — the temporary visa (820 or 309) and the permanent visa (801 or 100). You don't pay a second fee at stage two.
2. Medicals
Most applicants need a full health examination ($400–$500), a chest X-ray ($80–$150) and, where required, an HIV test (~$50). Medicals must be done at a Home Affairs panel doctor.
3. Police clearances
Australian Federal Police certificate: around $54. Overseas police checks vary — typically $20–$150 each — for any country you've lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Multi-country histories can add $200–$500.
4. Document translations
Certificates and statements in languages other than English need NAATI-certified translations — plan on $40–$80 per page, often $300–$800 in total for Indian, Punjabi, Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cases.
5. Migration agent fees
For a straightforward case, expect roughly $3,500–$6,500. We quote a fixed fee at consultation — no hourly creep — covering everything through to grant.
Why use an agent at all?
You can self-lodge through ImmiAccount. But the refusal rate on self-lodged applications is meaningfully higher, and the cost of a refusal (re-lodgement fee, lost months, possible section 48 bar, the Tribunal appeal fee and the emotional toll) far exceeds the agent's fee. The four pillars of relationship evidence — financial, household, social and commitment — are the structure case officers actually use.
Cost summary — example couple
Australian sponsor + applicant from India, lodging onshore 820, no dependent children:
- Application fee: $9,365
- Health exams (both): $1,000
- Police checks + translations: $300
- Agent fees: $4,500
- Total: roughly $15,165
Want a fixed quote for your exact situation?
Book a consultation →Did you know?
The application fee for partner visas has roughly doubled in the past decade, and Home Affairs indexes it each July. If you can complete your evidence file in June, lodging before the indexation date can save real money.
Frequently asked questions
Around $10,000–$15,000 all-in, with $9,365 going to Home Affairs for the main applicant. Add medicals (~$1,000), police checks (~$300), translations ($300–$800) and optional agent fees ($3,500–$6,500).
No. Application fees are generally non-refundable, even on refusal. This is why the evidence file matters so much at lodgement.
No. The single application fee covers both the 820 (temporary) and 801 (permanent) stages — and the same applies offshore for the 309 and 100.
No — the fee is paid in full at lodgement. Make sure the funds are ready before submitting.