How Much Does the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Cost?

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is one of the most popular visas among individuals wishing to move permanently to Australia. The reason for that is simply that the perks are just too good to pass up. One of the best ones is that, unlike other skilled visas, this visa does not require you to secure sponsorship from an employer, family member, or state government to apply.

If this Subclass 189 visa seems like exactly what you were looking for, you can go for it. But, before beginning the application process, like any other applicant, you must be wondering: How much does the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) actually cost?

Currently, the basic application fee for Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is from AUD $4,910. However, this isn’t the overall cost. There are other charges involved, such as skills assessments, English tests, medical examinations, police clearances, and more.

Having clarity into these fees before applying for the visa is important to help you save from future surprises. Read this blog to learn about the latest costs for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).

Understanding Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a points-based permanent residency visa designed specifically for overseas workers possessing specific skills relevant to high-demand occupations in Australia. The visa is extremely flexible and beneficial, as it doesn’t demand sponsorship but still offers benefits like the following:

• It allows you to live anywhere in Australia.
• You can acquire permanent residency from day one.
• You are free to work for any employer.
• You can pursue your studies in Australia.
• You will be able to access public healthcare, such as Medicare.
• If you are eligible, you can even get Australian citizenship later.
• You can sponsor your relatives for PR as well.

As it provides all of these benefits, the Subclass 189 visa is highly competitive and can be costly.

Complete Cost Breakdown for A Subclass 189 Visa 

Here are some of the basic charges that you may be required to pay for your Subclass 189 visa in Australia.

Government Visa Application Fee

You must pay a Visa Application Charge (VAC) to the Australian government when applying for a Subclass 189 Visa. Currently, the approximate fees are:

• Main applicant: AUD 4,910.00
• Additional applicant (age 18 or older): AUD $2,455.
• Child applicant (under 18): AUD $1,230

Clearly, these charges are quite high even for a single person. Plus, when you apply together with your family, you must expect much higher overall costs. Additionally, these visa application fees are typically non-refundable, even if the visa is denied.

Note: The above-specified Australian visa fees are present costs. They are updated on a regular basis, mostly yearly.

Skills Assessment Costs

Since you need to get a positive skills assessment in your occupation from the relevant authority to apply for a Subclass 189 visa, you would need to pay charges for that as well.

To give you an idea, these fees can range from AUD $500 to $1,500 or more, depending on your profession and the assessing body. For example, if you apply for a VETASSESS occupation, you will typically be required to pay between AUD $900 and $1000, or more.

Some occupations may even require additional verification procedures or competency testing. Hence, when applying under them, you may incur further costs.

English Language Test Fees

The Department would also require you to demonstrate your proficiency in English when applying for Subclass 189. Hence, you would have to take an approved test, such as IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English, etc. The costs vary depending on the exam and the country from which you apply, but on average, they range between AUD 400 and 500 per attempt.

Scoring excellently in this exam is important, as it directly increases your migration points. Obviously, if you can’t score well in the exam on a single attempt, you need to pay the extra costs for multiple attempts.

Medical Examination Expenses

Getting health examinations from an approved clinic (authorised by Australian immigration authorities) is mandatory when applying for Subclass 189. These examinations are essentially routine tests such as blood tests, chest X-rays, and overall health assessments. These medical expenses typically range between AUD 350 and AUD 500 per adult, though they can vary by country and the approved clinic.

Police Clearance Certificates

Police clearance certificates are necessary for character approval. However, they also add some costs to the overall visa expense.

You need to get these certificates from the country where you have been living for a while, and these expenses vary per country. On average, you may need to pay between AUD 50 and 150 for police documentation.

Functional English Charges

If you are also applying for a spouse or adult family member with your visa application, they need to fulfil the functional English requirement. This fee can reach approximately AUD 4,800–4,900 per person.

Final Thoughts

Therefore, you need to pay multiple charges when applying for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). So, it is better to prepare your budget for the entire migration process, not just the visa application fee.

Indeed, this visa is a little expensive, but it is worth the investment. It delivers greater long-term security with direct Australian permanent residence and even provides flexibility to live and work anywhere in Australia.

At Ozee Migration, we provide professional guidance for individuals planning for Australian migration. If you are also seeking Australian permanent residency and applying for a Subclass 189 visa, our registered MARA agents can help you at every stage of the process, from eligibility assessment to documentation and submission.

Book a consultation to avoid costly mistakes and improve your chances of a visa approval.

Recommend Read: Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) 2026: A Complete Guide