The Australian Department of Immigration (DIAC) has announced that there will be fee increase for many Australian visas on 1 July 2009.  In line with budget predictions and inflation some visa fee application charges may increase by as much as 20%. Others (for example the second visa application charges (VAC) for contributory visas) should not be increasing as they were raised already last year.

What does this mean for any potential applicants? The lesson, as always, is the same: the sooner you are able to apply for your visa, the better. Once your visa application is submitted it cannot normally be affected by any legislative changes after the time of lodgment of the visa application. But until your application is submitted you are at the mercy of the DIAC and the Australian Government.

We will publish more information as soon as we are aware of the level of fee increases.

However if you would like more information about the fees in the meantime, please feel free to contact us. Sort Out My Visa is a migration and visa specialist, offering visa services to individuals or business requiring assistance with Australian and New Zealand visas.