One of the first questions both employers and visa applicants ask about the 482 Skills in Demand visa is: how much does it cost?
The honest answer is: more than most people expect. The 482 visa involves fees at three stages — sponsorship, nomination, and visa application — plus the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which can be substantial. Understanding all the costs upfront helps both employers and workers plan properly.
At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) advises employers and workers on 482 visa costs and how to structure the process.
Fees are set by the Department of Home Affairs and change annually — the figures below reflect the current 2026–2027 fee schedule, effective 1 July 2026.
Quick Answer: As of 1 July 2026, the 482 Skills in Demand visa application charge is $4,015 for the primary applicant and for a secondary applicant aged 18 or over, and $1,005 for a secondary applicant under 18 — up from $3,210 the previous year. Employers also pay a sponsorship fee ($560 standard / $280 small business), a nomination fee (~$330), and the SAF levy ($1,200–$1,800 per year, paid upfront for the full nomination period). Full breakdown below.
Summary: All 482 Visa Costs at a Glance
Short on time? Here’s the core answer: total 482 visa cost and 482 visa fees depend on your nominated occupation stream, number of applicants, and whether the SAF levy applies — the full breakdown with exact current figures is below.
| Fee Type | Who Pays | Amount (2026–27) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application fee | Employer | $560 (standard) / $280 (small business) |
| SAF levy (nomination stage) | Employer | $1,200–$1,800/year (small); $1,800–$3,600/year (standard) |
| Nomination application fee | Employer | $330 |
| Visa application fee — primary applicant | Worker | $4,015 (all streams) |
| Visa application fee — secondary adult (18+) | Worker | $4,015 |
| Visa application fee — secondary child | Worker | $1,005 |
| Migration agent fee | Employer/Worker | $2,000–$6,000+ depending on complexity |
Important: Fees change annually and are reviewed each 1 July. The figures above reflect the 2026–27 schedule (effective 1 July 2026) — always confirm on the Department’s Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.
Sponsorship Application Fee
The first cost is the sponsorship application fee — paid by the employer when applying to become an Approved Standard Business Sponsor.
- Standard business (10 or more employees): approximately $560
- Small business (fewer than 10 employees): approximately $280
Sponsorship approval is valid for 5 years. Once approved, the employer can nominate multiple workers without paying additional sponsorship fees during the approval period. For full details, see: How to Become an Approved Business Sponsor in Australia.
The SAF Levy: The Biggest Cost Employers Need to Budget For
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is payable by the employer at the nomination stage. It is paid upfront for the entire duration of the nominated period — so a 4-year nomination for a Core Skills worker in a medium-sized business could mean a significant lump-sum payment.
SAF Levy Rates (2026)
| Business Type | Annual SAF Levy per Worker | Example: 4-year nomination |
|---|---|---|
| Small business (annual turnover under $10M) | $1,200 per year | $4,800 total |
| Standard business (annual turnover $10M+) | $1,800 per year | $7,200 total |
The SAF levy is paid upfront at nomination — not in annual instalments. If the visa period is, for example, 2 years and 6 months, the levy is charged at the 3-year rate (rounded up to the nearest year). If the nomination is later withdrawn, the levy is refunded on a pro-rata basis.
Key rule: Employers are legally prohibited from passing the SAF levy cost to the sponsored worker. Charging the worker for SAF levy costs — directly or indirectly — is a breach of sponsor obligations and can result in sanctions.
Nomination Application Fee
The employer pays a nomination application fee of approximately $330 per nomination. This is separate from the SAF levy. Each new nomination for a new worker (or renewal for an existing worker) incurs this fee.
Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee is paid by the worker (the applicant) and covers the primary applicant and any secondary applicants (spouse/partner and dependent children) included in the application.
Fees for 2026–27 (effective 1 July 2026), the same across all three streams:
- Primary applicant: $4,015
- Secondary adult (18 or over): $4,015
- Secondary child (under 18): $1,005
These fees vary by stream and are indexed annually. Always check the current fee schedule on the Department’s website before lodging. The visa fee is non-refundable if the application is refused.
Who Pays What — and What the Law Says
Australian law is clear about who bears the cost of the 482 process:
- Employer must pay: Sponsorship fee, SAF levy, nomination fee — these cannot be charged to the worker
- Worker pays: Visa application fee for themselves and secondary applicants
- Migration agent fee: Negotiated — often the employer pays for the sponsorship/nomination components and the worker pays for the visa application component
If an employer charges a worker for the SAF levy, sponsorship, or nomination costs — either upfront or as a deduction from wages — this is a breach of sponsor obligations and can be reported to the Department. The worker is also protected from visa cancellation as a result of reporting an employer for exploitation.
Total Cost Example: Core Skills Stream, Small Business, Single Applicant
| Item | Paid By | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application fee | Employer | $280 |
| SAF levy (2-year nomination) | Employer | $2,400 |
| Nomination fee | Employer | $330 |
| Visa application fee (primary only) | Worker | $4,015 |
| Migration agent fee (estimate) | Shared | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Total employer cost (excl. agent) | ~$3,010 | |
| Total worker cost (excl. agent) | ~$4,015 |
Add a spouse as secondary applicant: additional $4,015 (paid by worker). Add a 4-year nomination for a standard business: SAF levy increases to $7,200.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 482 visa cost in Australia?
The total cost depends on the employer size, nomination period, and number of family members. For a small business sponsoring one worker for 2 years with no family: approximately $3,010 (employer costs: sponsorship + SAF + nomination) plus $4,015 (worker’s visa fee). For a standard business sponsoring one worker for 4 years with a spouse: total government fees alone can exceed $12,000 before agent costs.
Who pays the SAF levy for a 482 visa?
The employer pays the SAF levy. It is illegal for the employer to charge the SAF levy back to the worker — directly or indirectly. The SAF levy is paid upfront for the full nomination period at the time of lodging the nomination application.
Is the 482 visa fee refundable?
The visa application fee is non-refundable if the application is refused. The SAF levy is refundable on a pro-rata basis if the nomination is withdrawn before the visa is granted. Sponsorship and nomination fees are generally non-refundable.
Can the employer pay for the 482 visa application fee?
Yes — there is no rule preventing an employer from paying the worker’s visa application fee as part of an employment arrangement. However, the law prohibits the employer from recovering this cost from the worker (e.g., through deductions from wages).
Do 482 visa fees change every year?
Yes. The Department reviews and adjusts visa fees annually on 1 July. This guide reflects the 2026–27 schedule, effective 1 July 2026 — the visa application charge rose from $3,210 to $4,015 this year.
Key Takeaways
- Costs fall across three stages — sponsorship (employer), nomination + SAF levy (employer), visa application (worker).
- The SAF levy is the biggest cost for employers — $1,200/year (small business) or $1,800/year (standard business) per worker, paid upfront.
- Employers cannot charge SAF levy to workers — this is a legal obligation, not a preference.
- Visa fees are non-refundable — preparation quality matters.
- Fees increase annually — verify current amounts before lodging.
Planning a 482 Visa? Contact Magpie Consultants
Whether you are an employer budgeting for a 482 sponsorship or a worker understanding your costs, Magpie Consultants can advise on the full picture.
At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) assists employers and workers with 482 applications. We advise in English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi.
- Book a consultation: magpieconsultants.com.au/book-appointment
- Location: Office 3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076, Melbourne
Related Articles
- Subclass 482 Visa Australia: Complete Requirements Guide 2026
- How to Become an Approved Business Sponsor in Australia
- 482 Visa to Permanent Residency: ENS 186 Transition Period
- 482 Visa Annual Salary: TSMIT, Core Skills Rates, and What You Must Be Paid
DISCLAIMER: Fee information is indicative only and based on the 2026–27 schedule (effective 1 July 2026). Fees change annually. Always verify at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. This article does not constitute migration advice. Umar Ashraf — MARN 2619222 — verify at mara.gov.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 482 visa cost in total?
482 visa costs include a sponsorship application fee ($280–$560, employer-paid), the SAF levy ($1,200–$1,800 per year, employer-paid, charged upfront for the nomination period), a $330 nomination fee, and the visa application charge ($4,015 for the primary applicant, plus fees for secondary applicants) — all employer and worker portions combined.
Who pays the SAF levy on a 482 visa?
The employer pays the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, and it is charged upfront for the entire nominated period. Employers are legally prohibited from passing this cost on to the sponsored worker — doing so, directly or indirectly, is a breach of sponsor obligations that can result in sanctions.
Is the SAF levy refunded if a nomination is withdrawn?
Yes. If a nomination is withdrawn after the SAF levy has been paid, the levy is refunded on a pro-rata basis for the unused portion of the nominated period.
Umar Ashraf
MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC
Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
