How Much Does a Partner Visa Cost in 2026? Government Fees and the Hidden Extras

Most couples ask one question first. How much does a partner visa actually cost? The honest answer has two layers. First, there is the government application charge. Then, there is a stack of smaller costs that quietly add up. Below, we break down both layers for 2026 so you can budget with confidence.

This guide focuses on the onshore Subclass 820/801 pathway. For the full eligibility picture, read our complete guide to the partner visa as well.

The main cost: the visa application charge

The biggest single cost is the visa application charge, often shortened to VAC. The Department of Home Affairs sets this fee under the Migration Regulations. Because it is a combined application, one charge covers both the temporary and the permanent stage.

For most applicants, the base application charge is AUD 11,710. However, concessions apply in limited circumstances. For example, a lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. So your circumstances can change your starting figure significantly.

Why you pay the charge only once

The onshore pathway has two visas. First comes the temporary Subclass 820. Then comes the permanent Subclass 801. However, you lodge them together as one combined application.

The temporary Subclass 820 charge is nil. As a result, you pay the base charge on the permanent Subclass 801 application. Also, the second instalment payable before grant is nil. Therefore, most couples pay a single government charge, plus the smaller extras below.

The concession for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens

This concession started on 1 July 2026. Are you an eligible Pacific Island or Timor-Leste citizen? If so, your base charge is $9,600 rather than $11,710. So it pays to check your eligibility for this lower rate early.

A lower charge for Prospective Marriage visa holders

Another concession helps engaged couples. Do you already hold a Prospective Marriage visa, the Subclass 300? If so, your onshore partner visa application charge starts from $1,955 instead. Because you paid a full charge for the Subclass 300, the partner stage costs far less. Therefore, the fiancé pathway spreads the cost rather than doubling it.

Extra charges for family members

The base charge covers the main applicant. However, each family member you include costs extra. These are called additional applicant charges, and they depend on age.

For most applications, an additional applicant aged 18 or over costs $5,860. In addition, an applicant under 18 costs $2,935. The Pacific Island and Timor-Leste concession lowers these too. As a result, the reduced rates are $4,805 and $2,405.

So a family application costs more than a couple applying alone. First, count everyone you plan to include. Then, add the right charge for each person. Therefore, you avoid a nasty surprise at lodgement.

The hidden extras couples forget

Now for the costs that rarely make the headline figure. These extras are not government application charges. Still, you cannot complete a partner visa without most of them. As a result, they belong in every realistic budget.

Health examinations

Every applicant must complete an immigration medical examination. A panel clinic runs these checks. Because the clinic sets its own price, the cost varies by location and by the tests required. First, you receive a referral. Then, you book and pay the clinic directly.

Police and character checks

Character checks form a core part of the application. First, you need an Australian Federal Police check. In addition, you need police clearances from overseas. This applies to any country where you lived for 12 months or more. The test looks back over the last 10 years. Each certificate carries its own fee. So applicants with long overseas histories pay more here.

Biometrics, documents and translations

Small costs gather quickly at this stage. For example, biometrics may apply for some applicants. Then, certified translations are needed for any document not in English. Also, you may pay for certified copies, statutory declaration witnessing and courier fees. Individually, these look minor. Together, however, they matter.

Professional and relationship-evidence costs

Some couples choose to engage a lawyer or registered migration agent. This is optional, yet many find it reduces stress. In addition, gathering strong relationship evidence can carry small costs. For example, you might pay for printed photo books or official relationship registration. As a result, your total spend depends heavily on your circumstances.

How to budget for your partner visa in 2026

So how should you plan? First, treat the base application charge as your anchor figure. For most applicants, that means $11,710. Then, add each family member charge that applies to you.

Next, add a realistic buffer for the hidden extras. Because health checks, police checks and translations vary widely, a generous estimate protects you from surprises. As a result, your final budget reflects your real situation. Remember the waiting period too. Our guide to realistic partner visa processing times in 2026 helps you plan the months after lodgement.

Finally, verify the current charge at the source. Fees change through indexation, and only the current amount matters on lodgement day. Our partner visa overview also helps here. It walks you through each stage in plain English.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the partner visa base application charge in 2026?

For most applicants, the base charge is $11,710. However, a lower charge of $9,600 applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Family members attract extra charges on top.

Do I pay the partner visa charge once or twice?

You pay the base charge once for the combined application. The temporary Subclass 820 charge is nil, and the second instalment before grant is nil. So most couples pay a single government charge, plus smaller extras.

Does adding children increase the cost?

Yes. For most applications, an additional applicant aged 18 or over costs $5,860. An applicant under 18 costs $2,935. Under the Pacific Island and Timor-Leste concession, these drop to $4,805 and $2,405.

I hold a Prospective Marriage visa. Do I pay the full charge?

No. Subclass 300 holders pay a reduced onshore partner visa charge, starting from $1,955. This recognises the charge you already paid for the Prospective Marriage visa.

Is the partner visa charge refundable if the visa is refused?

Usually not. In most cases, Home Affairs does not refund the application charge after a decision. Limited refund situations exist, so check the current refund rules before you lodge.

Where can I confirm the current fee?

Check the Migration Regulations on legislation.gov.au, or use the official Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator. Because fees update through indexation, these sources are the ones to trust on lodgement day.

By Sam Kanjo, Migration Lawyer, Skyline Migration Lawyers, Melbourne.