482 Skills in Demand Visa Cost Calculator 2025
482 Skills in Demand visa costs in 2025: mandatory Home Affairs fees, attorney costs and hidden expenses. Calculate your total.
Applying for a 482 Skills in Demand visa in 2025? Don't get surprised by hidden fees. This calculator shows every mandatory and optional cost — Home Affairs filing fees, attorney fees, and extras like biometrics and premium processing — so you know the real total before you apply.
Mandatory Home Affairs fees for the 482 Skills in Demand
These are the fees you cannot avoid when filing a 482 Skills in Demand application in 2025.
| Fee | Amount | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base application charge (main applicant) | A$4,015 | Approximate — reflects the 1 July 2026 Home Affairs charge increase; confirm exact gazetted figure. | Official ↗ |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy | A$1,800 | A$1,200–A$1,800 per year, paid by the sponsor. | Official ↗ |
Source: Visa Pricing Estimator. Fees change — verify before filing. Last full data review: August 2026. See our methodology.
Optional costs
Attorney fees
A$2,600 – A$6,500 in Sydney. Typical cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth.
Premium processing
Not available for this route.
Medical exam
A$300 – A$700 — Bupa Medical Visa Services health examination.
Translation services
A$50 – A$200 — NAATI-certified translations of supporting documents.
Other optional fees
- Skills assessment: A$800 — A$400–A$1,200 set by the assessing authority.
How to apply for the 482 Skills in Demand
- 1
Employer becomes a Standard Business Sponsor
The employer applies for approval to sponsor overseas workers before nominating anyone for a position.
- 2
Employer nominates the position
The nomination must satisfy the genuine position test and labour market testing (where required), and the employer must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
- 3
Confirm the pathway and salary threshold
Core Skills (occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold), Specialist Skills (broader occupation eligibility, salary at or above the higher Specialist Skills Income Threshold), or Labour Agreement (employer-specific negotiated terms).
- 4
Worker lodges the visa application
Often lodged concurrently with the nomination for efficiency, including skills assessment, English language, health and character evidence.
- 5
Decision
Home Affairs assesses the nomination and visa application together; processing time varies significantly by pathway.
Typical processing time: Highly pathway-dependent: Specialist Skills nominations are fastest (around 7–9 days at the 50th percentile), Core Skills nominations take roughly 30–47 days, and Labour Agreement nominations 41–76 days. End-to-end (sponsorship, nomination and visa combined) realistically runs 8–16 weeks for well-prepared cases. Check Home Affairs' live processing-time tool for current figures.
Documents you'll need
- Skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (occupation-dependent)
- English language test evidence (Competent English), unless exempt
- Evidence of at least 1 year of relevant work experience within the last 5 years
- Health examinations (chest x-ray and/or medical exam depending on country and visa length)
- Police/character certificates from countries of residence
- Employer-side evidence: genuine position documentation, labour market testing records, and proof of the SAF levy payment
Common mistakes to avoid
- The nominated position fails the "genuine position" test — Home Affairs doubts the role reflects a genuine, ongoing business need
- Occupation isn't on the Core Skills Occupation List (for the Core Skills pathway)
- Labour market testing doesn't meet the required platform or duration rules
- Salary below the relevant income threshold (Core Skills or Specialist Skills) or below the local market rate for the role
- Missing or incomplete Skilling Australians Fund levy payment
Sources: Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa · Home Affairs — Core Skills stream · Home Affairs — Specialist Skills stream
Cost breakdown by scenario
| Scenario | Includes | Total estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| A — Solo, no attorney | Mandatory government fees only | A$5,815 |
| B — With attorney | Government fees + attorney, no premium | A$8,415 – A$12,315 |
| C — Attorney + premium + dependents | Everything included | A$9,625 – A$17,965 |
How to save money on your 482 Skills in Demand
- File without an attorney if your case is straightforward — you can cut A$2,600–A$6,500.
- Skip premium processing unless you genuinely need a fast decision.
- Prepare documents yourself to avoid translation and document-prep fees.
- Double-check every fee on the Home Affairs website so you never overpay a third party.
482 Skills in Demand cost FAQ (2025)
How much does a 482 Skills in Demand visa cost in 2025?
The total estimated cost of a 482 Skills in Demand visa in 2025 ranges from about A$8,415 to A$17,965, depending on whether you use an attorney, pay for premium processing, and include dependents.
What is the 482 Skills in Demand application fee?
The government application fee varies by visa and year. Home Affairs publishes the current schedule, and this calculator itemises every mandatory fee with a link to the official source.
How much do immigration lawyers charge for a 482 Skills in Demand visa?
Attorney fees typically add A$2,000–A$5,000 depending on the city and case complexity. The calculator lets you toggle attorney costs on or off to compare.
Can I apply for a 482 Skills in Demand visa without a lawyer?
Yes. Many applicants file without a lawyer and only pay the mandatory government fees. An attorney is optional but can reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
What hidden costs should I budget for?
Beyond the filing fee, budget for biometrics, medical examinations, certified translations, and premium processing if you need a faster decision.
Is premium processing available for a 482 Skills in Demand visa?
Premium or priority processing is available for many routes for an extra fee, but not all. Check the calculator's options and the Home Affairs website for eligibility.
Do I have to pay extra for dependents?
Yes — each dependent usually requires an additional application fee and, in some countries, a health surcharge. Toggle the dependents option to include them.
Are visa fees refundable if my application is refused?
In most cases government application fees are not refunded if the application is refused. Always verify current policy with Home Affairs before paying.
How often do Home Affairs fees change?
Fee schedules are reviewed periodically and can change each year. This calculator is updated from official sources, but confirm the current fee before you file.
What is the cheapest way to apply for a 482 Skills in Demand visa?
Applying without an attorney, without premium processing, and without dependents keeps you at the low end of the cost range — usually just the mandatory government fees.
Use the calculator above for your specific case
Get an instant total and download a free PDF report.