IN BRIEF
- The Department of Home Affairs increased visa application fees on 1 July 2026.
- The increase has cast doubt for some living or seeking to live in Australia, particularly those seeking permanent residency.
Gemma Gong has been studying in Australia since 2019. But recent changes to visa pricing have made her question whether staying is viable.
Studying accounting at Sydney University, Gemma secured permanent residency through her partner.
This visa helps her travel frequently back to China to visit her ageing parents, but in 2028 she will need to apply for a resident return visa (RRV) to do so.
However, on 1 July, the application fee for the RRV subclasses 155 and 157 more than tripled in price — from $490 to $1475.
Gemma wasn't made aware of the changes and instead found out while scrolling on social media.
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"I started checking each type of visa, and how much it increased. Most of them have around a 25 per cent increase, while the [subclass] 155 had nearly a 200 per cent increase — which is absolutely ridiculous," she said.
"I feel astounded."
She said she's intrigued as to why her visa fee has increased so dramatically, saying it's assessed and renewed by computer, not Home Affairs staff.
"You submit your application and it's reviewed by a computer. It's almost always granted immediately. I can't think of any reason to increase this other than the Department of Home Affairs just wanting to raise the bar to make it a little bit harder for us."
Gemma said while the fee increase doesn't impact her perception of Australia's position on immigration, it's "not a great signal" to those wanting to come to Australia and those seeking permanent residency.
It's also made her "reconsider" her future.
"It means that I have to pay more to be a permanent resident instead of becoming a citizen," she said.
"The Department of Home Affairs might change the visa fee next year ... if it gets to the level that I can't afford it, then maybe applying for citizenship is the best route to go.
"It's just very uncertain, and uncertainty is not a good thing."
A Home Affairs spokesperson told SBS News that the reforms to the migration system are to "ensure it operates in the national interest".
"Revenue from the Visa Application Charge (VAC) increases will support this reform and other government priorities," they said.
"The cost of visas remains a small proportion of the overall costs of visiting or migrating to Australia."
They noted that it is not departmental practice to announce "VAC changes ahead of implementation" and the increased application charge reflects "the importance of permanent residents retaining their eligibility to travel and return to Australia".
Home Affairs has increased fees for a range of visas. Student visa fees have increased from $2,000 to $2,500, temporary graduate visa fees have increased twice — from $2,300 to $4,600 in March and now to $5,750.
Ali Lakhani, a migration agent and CEO of migrant support agency Vision Consultants, said the increase came "without any notice".
He said some applicants who lodge applications for particular visas onshore, and may have to travel to their own country or another country, would have to apply for Bridging Visa B.
"The government is now charging more than double the fee at the moment for processing that visa," he said.
Bridging Visa B fees have risen from $190 to $575, and processing times for skilled migration visas have dramatically increased, SBS understands.
Wei Hong, president of the International Student Representative Council of Australia and a Sydney University PhD student, said Home Affairs was sending an unwelcoming message.
"It is not a welcome environment for international students and immigration," he said.
"If you really want healthy development and sustainability for the international industry, targeting the visa fee is not a proper approach. You will stop those senior students from coming here."
He said the council has issued a statement to "warn and alarm" students of the changes.
"They should be careful about their decision-making ... make sure they understand the new changes and prepare their future plan carefully.
"It's a huge investment, not just in money but also their time."
This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Chinese and SBS Arabic.
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