The Real Partner Visa Cost: Fees, Extras, and Hidden Expenses

The government visa application charge is the first thing most couples will consider when they start to research the Partner Visa cost, but in our experience this is just the tip of the iceberg. Building a life together in a new country is a huge financial outlay, but for the couples that dream of a life together in Australia, it’s the best investment you can make into your future!

In our experience, couples can become a little shell-shocked when they see the Partner Visa cost and are working out how to budget for these expenses. I’d liken this to my experience in the early stages of wedding planning… I’d never planned an event as big as a wedding before, or used any of the services that are typically associated with a wedding (like a florist or a celebrant) so I just had no idea what to expect in terms of costs. I also had to consider how the total monetary price compared to other costs – like my time and my stress levels!

The same goes with migration and the Partner Visa process! An Australian passport ranks 5th on the Global Passport Ranking with access to 189 countries visa free, BUT we don’t return to favour to ANY country! Learning about visas as well as the Partner Visa cost is usually a new experience for at least one half of the couple and there is a lot to learn.

If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say “I had no idea it was going to be this complicated or this expensive” or “We just don’t know where to start” in one of our visa planning sessions… well I’d have a lot of dollars! Maybe not quite enough to cover the visa application fee, but certainly enough for a shopping spree!

Put simply, you don’t know what you don’t know, so I’ve put this guide together to help you plan for your future and get an idea of the real Partner Visa cost. It’s not just the financial commitment and the visa application charges you need to consider, but the deeply personal and logistical challenges you will encounter as part of the process that represent the true Partner Visa cost.

Basic Partner Visa cost – application fees

Let’s start with the easy tangible Partner Visa cost – the government visa application fees. These are typically increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the start of each new financial year on 1st July. If you want to avoid price hikes, consider this date when planning your budget. If you aren’t eligible to apply before this date – you may need an extra cash buffer compared to when you started the Partner Visa process.

As of 1 July 2025 the government visa application charge for both the onshore and offshore Partner Visa, as well as the Prospective Marriage Visa is $9,365 for the main applicant.

If there is more than one applicant (such as a dependant child), additional fees apply and are calculated based on the number of additional applicants and their individual ages.

The visa fee for a secondary applicant over 18 is $4,685 and $2,345 for any child under 18. (These costs are calculates based on the age on the day you apply).

Onshore Partner Visa cost for Prospective Marriage Visa holders

If you apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa, you will need to lodge an onshore Partner Visa after it has been granted and you have married. Thankfully, this further application fee is substantially less than the initial outlay.

These fees are also increased along with the other visa application charges on the 1st of July each year so be warned, it is impossible to calculate the total Partner Visa cost at the time of applying for your Prospective Marriage Visa as the processing times, as well as when you travel to Australia and get married, will impact the date you are eligible able to lodge the onshore Partner Visa.

As of 1 July 2025 the application fees for an onshore Partner Visa if you are the holder of a Prospective Marriage Visa are:

• Main Applicant: $1,560
• Secondary applicant over 18: $785
• Secondary Applicant under 18: $390

Surcharges and payment methods

Additional Partner Visa costs will apply depending on the method of payment. Clients opting to use BPAY won’t have any further costs – but we warned, the time it takes to process payment (typically 1-5 business days) will delay lodgement of your application. This payment option is also often suspended temporarily during periods of IT maintenance.

The credit card surcharges range from 1.4 -1.9%. Even the lowest surcharge for the online payment option of PayPal which is 1.01% is adding an extra $94.59 in fees where there is only one applicant.

Other tangible Partner Visa costs

As part of your visa application you will need to complete a medical examination with the Department’s approved medical provider. In Australia this is through Bupa and the total starts from $418.50, depending on the tests required. If you undertake your medical outside Australia you should check with the medical centre to confirm the exact fees. Travel to and from the medical centre is also a relevant consideration in terms of cost of transport and/or time off work or study to attend the appointment. For some applicants this can include international travel and other visa costs.

Sponsors and visa applicants will need to factor in the expense of police checks into their total Partner Visa cost. The AFP check is currently $56. Costs for overseas police clearances will vary depending on the country, and you may also need to consider things such as costs for fingerprinting services, international postage and/or document translations.

The cost of document translation can vary significantly depending on the translator and type of document. It’s worth doing your research and comparing a few quotes by searching the NAATI directory.

If you’ve lost or don’t have copies of important documents such as your birth certificate or marriage certificate, you may need to pay for and order new ones.

Costs associated with immigration advice

Please please please get professional advice before you lodge anything. The Department’s website is an overview of the key requirements only and isn’t a replacement for tailored and comprehensive legal advice. You are about to make a huge investment in your future together – and the application is going to be assessed against a complicated legal framework, it will cost you a lot more if you get it wrong than it will to seek some initial advice.

What are the costs to use a Registered Migration Agent?

Most Registered Migration Agents work on a fixed fee basis. This means they will quote you at the start of your application for a defined scope of work and that is the total amount you can expect to pay unless there is a significant change in your circumstances.

This fixed fee system is different from what you might expect if you engage the services of a lawyer, who may charge you on an hourly or smaller incremental basis.

Honesty and openness are important here, as in an extreme example, if you did not tell the agent about your extensive criminal record when they quoted you and this information comes to light during the process, it is highly likely you will be requoted.

The overall cost really depends on two things;

1. How complicated your case is, and
2. How experienced the agent is in this area.

Complications such as your previous visa history, conflicting information in past applications, health and character concerns or child custody arrangements can all impact the complexity of a case and level of work involved which directly correlates to the overall cost.

While we know a lot of other migration agents promise the world in their speedy 15-minute free chats, that’s not how we operate. At Freedom Migration, we value your time and the expertise of our team, which is why we charge a consultation fee of $270, and everyone’s Partner Visa journey starts with our comprehensive visa planning session.

This ensures you receive tailored, high-quality advice specific to your immigration needs from a qualified professional, not just generic information. It also allows us to dedicate the time and attention needed to thoroughly understand your situation and provide actionable solutions.

A word of caution; be very wary if someone gives you a straight-up quote before assessing your situation in detail. While it may be annoying to read, it is totally impossible for us to say how much work/cost is involved in your case until we have had a visa planning session. You wouldn’t book a doctor in to perform surgery without a specialist consultation and pre-screening, so would you really feel safe and confident being represented by a migration agent or lawyer after a quick chat on the phone?

We need to spend time to get to know you, understand the history of your relationship and discuss your fears and concerns to ensure we are the right fit and can assist you with an application. At the end of our session, we will give you our considered opinion based on what you have told us on whether we feel you meet the relevant requirements and the level of support you might need to achieve your goals.

We will answer any burning questions and bust any of the myths you might have heard. You’ll also receive a detailed letter of advice and a fixed fee quote for how much it will cost to engage our services if you are able (and choose) to proceed with an application.

The cost of getting your life started in Australia

Flights/Travel and other Relocation Costs are going to be your big ticket items. This includes the cost of travel to Australia, or travel to spend time with each other during the processing of your visa, shipping of belongings, excess luggage, costs of importing pets, temporary accommodation whilst looking for a rental or home to buy as well as furnishings and home decor. All these start up costs add up! You might also need to consider the cost of purchasing a new or used vehicle, interest rates or eligibility for finance and cost for converting international driving permits…the list goes on!

Pro Tip! Make sure to check with the airline you fly with for their requirements on the validity period of your passport. It is a requirement to hold a valid travel document in order for your Australian visa to be granted, but individual airline policies, or immigration in transiting countries may have different rules to Australia!

The costs you can’t see

Your time as well as lost time are huge costs that often get overlooked! I won’t sugar coat the fact that no matter how you choose to proceed with a Partner Visa, it’s going to take a lot of time and energy to prepare your documents. If you’re trying to do all of this without a background or qualification in Australian immigration law, you are going to have to spend even more time researching the process not to mention worrying about the process.

The cost of getting things wrong, or even just not getting it 100% right the first time can be significant in terms of big life goals. Couples we have worked with have pointed to job security and finding employment in their preferred field, meeting lending criteria to purchase property, along with significant tax implications are as motivations for getting their Partner Visa grant as quickly as possible. Some couples are forced to consider adjusting timelines to start planning for children based on eligibility for parental leave payments, or pursue further study.

Mistakes in your application can have serious consequences, often with a ripple effect that impacts many aspects of your life. A simple oversight or misunderstanding can result in your visa being refused or leave you without lawful status. Where a Partner Visa is refused, the processing times for an appeal can be up to 4 years. This is a long time to be in visa limbo and feel like there is no stability or security for your future together.

The cost of not getting professional advice might include losing your right to work, travel, or remain in the country, disrupting your income and plans. In some cases, it might reset the time required for permanent residency or citizenship, delaying your long-term goals. These errors can even lead to separation from your partner, creating emotional strain and distress. The costs aren’t just financial—such as lost wages or fees to rectify the mistake—but also deeply personal, affecting your mental health and relationships. Proper guidance from the start helps you avoid these risks and ensures your path to a secure future.

The bottom line

While we hope the Partner Visa costs you have read in this blog haven’t totally blown your dreams apart, remember there is always a way and we are here to help. The monetary component remains significant, but the true Partner Visa Cost will be different for every couple depending on their goals for the future and their values.

Remember you are applying for a permanent visa so you can continue your future together in Australia. To us, that is priceless.

IMPORTANT: Please note, this does not constitute Immigration advice. Always seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before applying for an Australian Visa. Migration Law is constantly changing. This information is accurate only at the time of publication.