← All posts

Family of three, one skilled visa: budgeting for Australia's higher application charges from Tanzania

News · 2026-08-06 · 4 min read

Start with a single case. A family of three, meaning a main applicant, a spouse and one child, applies for a Skilled Independent (189) visa. Government charges alone come to $10,745. That example matters to any household in Dar es Salaam or Arusha, because the Australian Government raised application charges across nearly every visa category as of 1 July 2026, and everything lodged from that date is charged at the new rate.

Where that figure comes from

The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa is now $6,135. Each additional family member adds a separate government charge on top. The point is not the arithmetic itself but the habit: always price the whole household, not only the person who has the job offer.

The other visas, for comparison

Employer-sponsored routes: Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) is $4,015, up from $3,210; Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) is $6,140; Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) is $6,140.

Other skilled routes: Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) is $6,140 and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) is $6,140.

Study and graduate routes: Student Visa (Subclass 500) is $2,500, student guardian visa (Subclass 590) is $2,500 and Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) is $5,750.

Partner route: the Partner Visa is $11,710, the single biggest government charge in the system.

Costs that sit outside the visa charge

The government charge is only one part. The same family should expect separate costs for English language testing, skills assessments, medical exams and police clearance certificates. In Tanzania, police clearance comes from the Tanzania Police Force. Your NECTA results and VETA certificates should be ready too, though a local qualification never automatically equals an Australian licence, skills assessment or registration. To understand the assessment side, RPLDirect explains how qualifications are looked at in Australia.

A simple budgeting sequence

1. Pick the visa you are actually eligible for, not the cheapest one on the list.
2. Write the government charge for the main applicant, then add a separate charge for each family member applying with you.
3. Add the outside costs: English language testing, skills assessments, medical exams and police clearance certificates.
4. Check how the total compares with what you can save before you lodge, since the charge in force on the day of lodgement is the one that applies.
5. Only then speak to an employer or adviser about timing.

Working through the list in this order stops a common surprise, where a household discovers the family charges and the extra costs only after it has set a date.

Applications already lodged

If your application went in before 1 July 2026, you are locked into the old fee, even if it is still being processed. The new charges apply only to applications lodged from 1 July 2026 onward.

Why the effort can still make sense

Higher fees have not changed demand. Australia remains short of skilled workers in carpentry, electrical, mechanics, welding, chef roles, butchery, HVAC, nursing, engineering and heavy vehicle mechanics, and thousands of employer-sponsored roles are still open to qualified overseas applicants. Explore the jobs page to compare roles with the cost of the route.

Common mistakes with family budgets

Several are worth naming. One is treating the primary applicant's fee as the total. Another is ignoring the cost of tests and medicals until late. A third is hiring a helper who cannot be checked; check a MARA registration for Australia, or use a licensed immigration adviser or lawfully exempt person for New Zealand. A fourth is to choose a visa only because it looks cheaper, when the requirements may not fit your background. Related reading includes the visa slowdown and what it means for nurses, teachers and employers and why skilled trades are a smart pathway.

Frequently asked questions

Does each child have a separate charge?

Each additional family member adds a separate government charge.

What changed for the 482?

It is now $4,015, up from $3,210.

Can I still get the older fee?

Only if your application was lodged before 1 July 2026.

Where can I see my chances with employers?

A clear CV helps; Build AI CV can help you set one out for a specific role.

Where do I read the official list?

See the visa listing.

Key takeaways

• Government charges for a family of three on a 189 total $10,745.
• Charges rose across nearly every visa category from 1 July 2026.
• Earlier applications keep the old fee.
• Budget for tests, assessments, medicals and police clearance as well.

#skilled visa #family budget #visa charges #australia #tanzania #application cost