Massive Australia Visa Fee Changes From 1st July 2026 & Critical ImmiAccount Rules

Australia has introduced important immigration changes from 1 July 2026 that every visa applicant should know. The latest updates include higher visa application fees, an increase in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), and a new ImmiAccount application import limit.

If you're planning to study, work, visit, or apply for permanent residency (PR) in Australia, these changes could affect your application, eligibility, and budget. Most Australian visa application fees have increased by around 25%, while the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold has increased to AUD 79,423 for employer-sponsored visas.

Another important update is the new ImmiAccount application import rule. An application can now be imported only three times. A fourth import attempt will be blocked unless the Department of Home Affairs manually resets the limit. This change is especially important for students, migration agents, and families managing visa applications.

In this guide, we'll explain each update, who it affects, and what you can do to prepare your Australian visa application smoothly.

New ImmiAccount Update: Application Import Limit

From 1 July 2026, an application can only be imported into ImmiAccount three times. This applies to applications lodged online or on paper (where eligible).

If someone tries to import the same application for a fourth time, the system will block any further imports. To remove the block, you'll need to submit a request to the Department of Home Affairs through the ImmiAccount Technical Support Form.

Who is affected?

This update is especially important if you:

• Are working with a migration agent
• Are applying with your family
• Access your application from multiple accounts or devices

Without knowing the new rule, it's easy to use all three import attempts.

How to avoid the import limit

If more than one person needs access to your application, don't keep importing it into different ImmiAccounts.

Instead, use the Share or Assign feature in ImmiAccount. This is the method recommended by the Department of Home Affairs and does not count towards your three-import limit.

Why has this rule changed?

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the new limit is designed to:

• Protect applicants' privacy
• Prevent misuse of the import feature
• Improve the security of the ImmiAccount system

Before importing an application, make sure it really needs to be imported. Planning ahead can help you avoid reaching the three-import limit and prevent unnecessary delays in your Australian visa application. 

Australia Visa Fees Update 2026

From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government rolled out one of the steepest visa fee increases in recent years - a flat 25% hike across most major categories, well above the usual small annual adjustment.

What's driving this? Alongside the fee hikes, the government also raised the income thresholds that many of these visas are tied to. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) - the minimum salary an employer must pay to sponsor someone on a Subclass 482 visa - has gone up to $79,499 a year, from $76,515. The Specialist Skills Income Threshold has also risen, to $146,576.

Who feels this most:

• Skilled migration applicants (189, 190, 491) are now paying over $6,100 just in application charges, before skills assessments, English tests, or medical checks.
• Partner visa applicants face the largest jump in dollar terms - a $2,345 increase, taking the combined temporary-and-permanent stage fee to $11,710.
• Employers sponsoring overseas workers under the 482 visa need to budget an extra $805 per nomination, on top of meeting the new, higher salary threshold.

It's worth noting these are base application charges only - they don't include costs like skills assessments, health checks, police clearances, or fees for additional family members included on the same application.

Other Visa Fee Changes You Should Know

Beyond the main skilled and partner visa categories, several other visa types have seen fee changes from 1 July 2026:

Student & Graduate Pathway

• - Student Visa (Subclass 500): AUD 2,000 → AUD 2,500 (25% increase)
• - ELICOS (English-language) students: AUD 2,000 → AUD 2,050 (smaller rise)
• - Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): AUD 4,600 → AUD 5,750

Steep Increases (Over 200%)

• - Resident Return Visa (155/157): AUD 490 → AUD 1,475
• - Bridging Visa B (020): AUD 190 → AUD 575
• - New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (461): AUD 445 → AUD 1,330

These larger jumps affect permanent residents needing to travel, applicants awaiting decisions, and family members of New Zealand citizens - groups that received far less attention than skilled and partner visa applicants but are facing some of the steepest cost increases of all.

Which Visas Are Exempt From the Fee Increase?

Not every visa category was affected by the 25% hike. Two of the most commonly used short-stay options remain unchanged:

• - eVisitor (Subclass 651): Still free
• - Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601): Still around AUD 20

If you're travelling to Australia for tourism or short business visits and hold a passport eligible for either of these, the July 2026 fee increase does not apply to you.

What Should Applicants Do Now?

With visa application charges up 25% and ImmiAccount now limiting application imports to three attempts, applicants need to move carefully and prepare thoroughly before lodging. Here's exactly what to do:

Budget for the new visa fees before you apply

Australian visa fees have changed from 1 July 2026. Before submitting your application, check the latest government charges and make sure you have enough budget. 

Get your application right the first time 

Visa application fees are generally non-refundable. Double-check your documents, English test results, skills assessment, and supporting evidence before you apply to avoid costly mistakes.

Track your ImmiAccount imports carefully

An application can now be imported into ImmiAccount only three times. If you need to share your application with a migration agent or family member, use the Share or Assign feature instead of importing it again.

Confirm your application type is import-eligible

Not all applications are eligible for import. Some visa types, including Partner Visas, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas, and IRIS applications, cannot be imported into ImmiAccount. Always check your visa requirements before relying on the import feature.

Apply early and monitor ImmiAccount regularly 

Don't wait until the last minute. Apply as early as possible and regularly check your ImmiAccount for updates or requests from the Department of Home Affairs. Responding quickly can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Conclusion

Australia's July 2026 immigration updates mark one of the biggest shifts in visa costs and application processes in recent years. With fees up 25% across most categories and ImmiAccount now limiting application imports to three attempts, careful planning matters more than ever. Whether you're a skilled worker, partner visa applicant, or employer sponsoring overseas talent, the key is simple: budget accurately, get your documents right the first time, and stay on top of ImmiAccount's new rules to avoid unnecessary delays or costs. If you're unsure how these changes affect your specific visa pathway, it's worth speaking to a registered migration agent before you apply. 

Need help with your Australia visa application? Our experienced migration experts can help you understand the latest visa fee updates, ImmiAccount rules, and choose the right visa pathway. Get in touch with LEAMSS today.

You can contact us for more detailed information:

WhatsApp: +91 77383 52427 
Email - ladhani@leamss.com 
Website - https://leamss.com/