Professional fees by visa type
| Visa type | Professional fee (AUD) | Government charge |
|---|---|---|
| Partner visa (820/801 or 309/100) | $3,000 - $6,000 | $4,640+ (couple) |
| Skilled Independent (189) | $4,000 - $7,000 | $4,640+ (single) |
| Skilled State-Nominated (190) | $4,500 - $7,500 | $4,640+ + state nomination |
| Skilled Regional (491/491-PR) | $5,000 - $8,000 | $4,640+ + state nomination |
| Employer-sponsored (482 TSS) | $5,000 - $10,000 | $1,455 - $3,035 |
| Employer-sponsored permanent (186) | $6,000 - $12,000 | $4,770+ |
| Student visa (500) | $1,500 - $3,500 | $1,600+ |
| Business / investor (188) | $8,000 - $20,000+ | $10,000+ |
| AAT review / appeals | $5,000 - $25,000 | AAT fee $3,374 |
Ranges reflect typical Australian market pricing as of 2026. Always get written fixed-fee quotes from at least 3 agents before engaging.
What is included in the professional fee
A reputable migration agent fee typically covers:
- Initial visa eligibility consultation (usually 60-90 minutes)
- Document checklist + collection guidance
- Drafting of all application forms and supporting statements
- Quality review of submitted documents
- Lodgement of the application with Department of Home Affairs
- Liaison with the Department on additional information requests
- Updates throughout processing (usually monthly)
- Notification of decision + next steps
What is typically NOT included (charged separately): police clearances from multiple countries, medical examinations, English language tests, document translations, additional Department of Home Affairs application fees for accompanying family members.
Why fees vary so much for similar visas
A partner visa with no complications can take 8-15 hours of agent work. A complex partner visa with relationship history issues, overseas applicants, or prior visa refusals can take 40+ hours. Same visa subclass, vastly different scope.
Other complexity drivers that push fees higher:
- Health issues (PIC 4005 requirements)
- Character issues (PIC 4001 requirements, AFP and overseas police clearances)
- Family members on multiple visa types being coordinated together
- Bridging visa management while waiting for decision
- Strategic switches between visa subclasses mid-process
- Complex employer-sponsorship requiring SBS nomination, LMT, market salary rate documentation
Cheap quotes for inherently complex cases are usually a warning sign. The agent may not understand the complexity yet, or may not be planning to handle it properly.
Payment schedules: what is reasonable
Standard practice in Australia is staged payments aligned with workflow milestones:
| Stage | Typical % of fee |
|---|---|
| Engagement + initial consultation | 30-50% |
| Lodgement of application | 30-40% |
| Decision (grant or refusal) | 20-30% |
Government application charges are usually paid directly to Department of Home Affairs (not through the agent). Some agents offer to pay government fees on your behalf with reimbursement, ask whether this is included or extra.
Red flags that you are being overcharged
- 100% upfront payment demanded. Standard practice is staged. Agents demanding all fees upfront before work begins are often cash-flow desperate or planning to underservice.
- "Guaranteed visa grant" claims. Breach of MARA Code of Conduct. No agent can guarantee outcomes for Department of Home Affairs decisions.
- Quotes substantially below market. A $1,500 partner visa quote when market rate is $4,000+ usually means corner-cutting on documentation quality or bait-pricing where extras get added later.
- Hourly billing for routine visa work. Most visas have predictable scope, fixed-fee is standard. Hourly billing without a cap creates open-ended risk.
- No written fee agreement. All MARA-registered agents must provide a written Statement of Services + fee agreement. Refusal to provide one is non-compliant.
- Pressure to engage immediately. Reputable agents are comfortable with you comparing 2-3 quotes. Pressure tactics suggest unethical practice.
When DIY makes financial sense
For genuinely simple, low-stakes visas, self-lodging can save the full professional fee. Suitable candidates:
- Tourist / visitor visas (600 series). Straightforward eligibility, low risk.
- Onshore partner visa with simple facts. Both parties already in Australia, clear relationship history, no children from previous relationships, no character or health issues.
- Student visa renewals for current students. Where circumstances have not materially changed.
- Basic eVisitor and ETA applications. No professional input needed.
DIY is NOT suitable for: any visa with a prior refusal in your history, complex partner visa fact patterns, employer-sponsored visas (which have technical compliance traps), skilled migration where points assessment is borderline, or any case involving character issues.
Migration agent vs immigration lawyer: cost comparison
Both can represent you on visa applications. Migration agents are MARA-registered and trained specifically in immigration law. Lawyers have broader legal training and can represent you in tribunals and courts.
| Pathway | Migration agent | Immigration lawyer |
|---|---|---|
| Routine visa application | $3,000-$8,000 | $5,000-$15,000 |
| AAT tribunal review | $5,000-$15,000 | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Federal Court appeal | Cannot represent | $20,000-$80,000+ |
| Character review | $8,000-$20,000 | $15,000-$50,000 |
For most visa applications, MARA-registered migration agents are equally effective at materially lower cost. Reserve lawyers for cases requiring court representation or complex character matters.
How to compare quotes
- Request fixed-fee quotes in writing for the same scope of work from 3 agents.
- Verify MARA registration by searching the MARA register before any engagement.
- Ask about complexity assumptions. A cheap quote based on "simple case" assumptions can balloon if your case is actually complex.
- Check the inclusions list. Some agents quote low base fees then charge separately for everything (each child applicant, each police clearance, each communication round).
- Ask about success rate for your specific visa subclass and similar fact patterns. Honest agents share this; deflecting answers are a yellow flag.
- Read recent client reviews on Google and the agent's website. Look for specifics, not just generic praise.