The new financial year has brought a number of important Australian immigration changes for visa applicants, employers, sponsors, international students and working holiday makers.
Below is a summary of the key updates clients should be aware of for the 2026–27 program year.
1. Visa Application Charges Have Increased
From 1 July 2026, many Visa Application Charges have increased, with rises ranging from CPI-based increases through to larger targeted increases for specific visa categories.
The Government has implemented:
- a broad increase to the first instalment of the Visa Application Charge for many visas, and
- concessional or differential fee arrangements for certain passport holders from Pacific-regional countries, Timor-Leste and some ASEAN countries
According to the Explanatory Statement, the Government increased Visa Application Charges from 1 July 2026 to raise revenue across the migration program in a broad-based and administratively efficient way, while maintaining the existing visa charge structure.
For most affected visas, the first instalment of the Visa Application Charge increased by 25%. The Government described this as a consistent approach that supports administrative simplicity across visa categories.
Common temporary visa fees from 1 July 2026 include:
Common permanent skilled visa fees from 1 July 2026 include:
Common partner visa fees from 1 July 2026 include:
Importantly, the sponsorship/nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund Levy have not increased.
*Concessional arrangements apply for certain applicants holding a valid passport from specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. These concessional arrangements also apply to eligible family members and dependents.
2. Skilled Visa Salary Thresholds Have Increased
Employers sponsoring skilled workers should carefully review salary arrangements for new nominations lodged from 1 July 2026.
Core Skills Income Threshold – Subclass 482 – Core Skills Stream
The Core Skills Income Threshold, known as the CSIT, has increased to: $79,423
Specialist Skills Income Threshold – Subclass 482 – Specialist Skills Stream
For Skills in Demand visa applications in the Specialist Skills stream, the SSIT has increased to: $146,576
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold – Subclass 494 and 187
The TSMIT has increased to: $79,423.
3. Fair Work High Income Threshold
The Fair Work High Income Threshold, or FWHIT, has increased to: $190,100
This is particularly relevant for certain Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme applicants relying on the age exemption. Applicants seeking to rely on this exemption must be able to demonstrate earnings above the FWHIT for the relevant qualifying period.
4. Working Holiday Maker Program Changes
As of 1 July 2026, the Australian government has introduced two changes to the Working Holiday Maker program.
Increased Age Limit for Certain Subclass 417 Applicants
From 1 July 2026, passport holders from the following countries may apply for a Working Holiday Subclass 417 visa if they are aged 18 to 35 inclusive:
- Cyprus;
- Finland;
- Germany; and
- Republic of Korea (South Korea).
This is a significant expansion for eligible applicants from those countries who may previously have aged out of the program at 30.
Age Requirement Now Assessed at Lodgement
From 1 July 2026, the age requirement has been moved from Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994. This means the age requirement is now a validity requirement for making the visa application, rather than a criterion assessed later during processing.
This means that applicants must satisfy the relevant age requirement at the time the application is lodged. If an applicant lodges after exceeding the applicable age limit, the application will be invalid. An invalid application is treated as not having been validly made, and the Department is not required to assess the supporting documents or consider the application on its merits.
5. Citizenship Application Fee Update
The fee for Form 1300t – Application for Australian Citizenship by Conferral, General Eligibility is now: $595
Concessional rates may apply depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances.
6. Administrative Review Tribunal Fees
Administrative Review Tribunal application fees have increased from 1 July 2026.
The new fees are:
For protection visa reviews, the fee is generally payable only if the review application is unsuccessful.
The new fees apply to any application fee paid on or after 1 July 2026, even if the review application was lodged before that date.
Need Assistance with a Visa, Sponsorship or Citizenship Matter?
The 2026–27 financial year changes affect application costs, eligibility, sponsorship compliance and timing strategy.
For assistance with employer sponsorship, skilled visa planning, citizenship applications, Working Holiday Maker visas or review matters, contact Migration Affairs’ immigration team.
📧 info@migrationaffairs.com.au
🌐 migrationaffairs.com.au/contact
📞 +61 2 8226 8777
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.