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 β sponsorship, nomination, and visa application β 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. All figures below reflect 2025β2026 fee schedules β verify current fees at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
Summary: All 482 Visa Costs at a Glance
| Fee Type | Who Pays | Approximate Amount (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application fee | Employer | $560 (standard) / $280 (small business) |
| SAF levy (nomination stage) | Employer | $1,200β$1,800/year (small); $1,800β$3,600/year (standard) |
| Nomination application fee | Employer | $330 |
| Visa application fee β primary applicant | Worker | $3,115 (Core Skills) / varies by stream |
| Visa application fee β secondary adult | Worker | $1,040 |
| Visa application fee β secondary child | Worker | $260 |
| Migration agent fee | Employer/Worker | $2,000β$6,000+ depending on complexity |
Important: Fees change annually and differ by stream. Always check the current fee schedule at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. The figures above are indicative for 2025β2026.
Sponsorship Application Fee
The first cost is the sponsorship application fee β 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 β 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 β 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 β directly or indirectly β 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.
Approximate fees for the Core Skills stream (2025β2026):
- Primary applicant: $3,115
- Secondary adult (18 or over): $1,040
- Secondary child (under 18): $260
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 β 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 β these cannot be charged to the worker
- Worker pays: Visa application fee for themselves and secondary applicants
- Migration agent fee: Negotiated β 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 β either upfront or as a deduction from wages β 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 | $3,115 |
| Migration agent fee (estimate) | Shared | $3,000β$5,000 |
| Total employer cost (excl. agent) | ~$3,010 | |
| Total worker cost (excl. agent) | ~$3,115 |
Add a spouse as secondary applicant: additional $1,040 (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 $3,115 (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 β 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 β 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, typically on 1 July each year. Always check the current fee schedule at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging β the figures in this guide reflect the 2025β2026 schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Costs fall across three stages β sponsorship (employer), nomination + SAF levy (employer), visa application (worker).
- The SAF levy is the biggest cost for employers β $1,200/year (small business) or $1,800/year (standard business) per worker, paid upfront.
- Employers cannot charge SAF levy to workers β this is a legal obligation, not a preference.
- Visa fees are non-refundable β preparation quality matters.
- Fees increase annually β 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 2025β2026 schedules. Fees change annually. Always verify at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. This article does not constitute migration advice. Umar Ashraf β MARN 2619222 β verify at mara.gov.au.
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.
