Australia Employer Nomination Visa Cost Details for 2026

Are you planning to get permanent residency in Australia with the help of your employer this year? The rules for migration have changed a bit. The first thing you need to know is the Australia Employer Nomination Visa Cost Details for 2026. This will help you and your employer prepare well.

In 2026, there are updates to the Skills in Demand visa and the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). It is very important to know who pays which fee. This is not just about money—it is the law. Employers must follow the rules. This simple guide explains all the fees in easy words. It covers government fees, medical tests, and other costs. This way, you can avoid problems and stay safe.

Nomination-Specific Government Fees (NLP Entities)

The nomination step is in the middle of the process. Here, the Department of Home Affairs checks if the job is real and if the employer can sponsor a worker.

• Subclass 186 Nomination Fee ($540) The employer pays this fee to nominate you for permanent residency. In 2026, this fee is $540. This is the updated amount for the Employer Nomination Scheme.
• Nomination Training Contribution Charge (SAF Levy) This is the biggest cost for the employer. It is called the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. The employer pays it to help train Australian workers. The amount depends on the company’s yearly turnover. For small businesses (turnover less than $10 million): $3,000 (one-time payment). For bigger businesses (turnover $10 million or more): $5,000 (one-time payment). This levy is for permanent visas like Subclass 186. It is a one-off payment, not per year.
• Visa Pricing Index (VPI) Adjustment Every year, some fees go up a little. On July 1, 2025, there was a small increase of about 3% to 5% on many migration fees because of indexation. In 2026, all new applications must use these new prices. If you do not pay the updated fee, your application can get delayed or refused.
• Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Renewal ($420) Before the employer can nominate you, they need an active sponsorship approval. This is called Standard Business Sponsorship. It costs $420 to renew, and it lasts for five years. The employer must keep this active.

Employers pay these nomination fees. They cannot ask the worker to pay them back. This is against the law.

Legal Compliance & Employer Liability (LSI Keywords)

In 2026, the Australian Border Force checks employers more often. Employers must follow strict rules.

• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Installment Model New in recent updates, some businesses can pay the SAF levy in parts—like yearly or quarterly payments. This helps small businesses. But for permanent visas like 186, it is usually one full payment.
• Labour Market Testing (LMT) Advertising Expenses The employer must show they tried to find an Australian worker first. They advertise the job on Workforce Australia and at least two other websites. This advertising costs between $500 and $1,200. The employer pays for this.
• Nomination Refund Provisions If the nomination is refused for reasons not the employer’s fault (like a rule change), there are ways to get some money back, like part of the SAF levy. But this is not always easy.
• MARA Migration Agent Service Fees (Nomination Phase) Many employers hire a Registered Migration Agent to help write papers, like proving the job is genuine. These agent fees are paid by the employer only. The worker cannot pay this.

It is illegal for employers to make the worker pay for nomination costs, advertising, or SAF levy. This protects workers.

Worker-Facing Readiness Costs (Semantic Optimization)

The employer does the nomination part. But you, the worker, pay for your own readiness. These costs prove you are suitable for the job and can live in Australia.

• Mandatory Skills Assessment (VETASSESS / Engineers Australia) You need to show your skills and qualifications match Australian standards. You get this checked by groups like VETASSESS or Engineers Australia. The fee is usually between $1,050 and $1,650. You pay this.
• Subclass 186 Visa Application Charge (VAC) After the nomination is approved, you pay the main visa fee. In 2026, this is about $4,910 or more for the main applicant. This fee went up a little after July 2025 indexation.
• Bupa Medical Visa Services (Health Check) Everyone must do a health check at an approved clinic, like Bupa. This includes exams, x-rays, and tests. It costs around $350 to $500. You pay for this to meet visa condition 501.
• English Language Proficiency Test (IELTS/PTE) You need good English for the 186 visa. You take a test like IELTS or PTE. It costs about $410. You must get a valid score.

These are your personal costs. Plan for them early.

Also Read: China Job Visa Sponsorship Price 2026: Complete Expense Details

Regional & Incentive Entities (Long-Tail Keywords)

If your job is in a regional area (not big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane), you may get some help with costs.

• DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) Fee Concessions Some regional areas have special agreements. Employers there may pay less for nomination or SAF levy. This helps grow the local economy in places like Adelaide, Hobart, or parts of Northern WA.
• Specialist Skills Pathway Premium In the Skills in Demand rules, if you earn high salary (specialist level), you can get fast processing—like 7 days. But there may be extra nomination costs.
• Permanent Residency Transition (TRT) Stream Fees If you worked on a temporary visa (like 482) with the same employer for 2 years, you can use the TRT stream for Subclass 186. It is simpler and sometimes cheaper. In regional areas, nomination fee can be zero.
• Family Unit Surcharge (Dependent VAC) If you bring your spouse or children, each one pays extra. For adults over 18, it is about $2,455. For children under 18, it is about $1,230. These fees also increased with VPI in 2026.

Interactive Cost Breakdown Table 2026

Here is a simple table of main costs:

• Phase: NominationFee Description: Subclass 186 Nomination FeeResponsible Party: EmployerEstimated Cost (AUD): $540
• Phase: NominationFee Description: SAF Levy (Turnover < $10M)Responsible Party: EmployerEstimated Cost (AUD): $3,000 (one-off)
• Phase: NominationFee Description: LMT AdvertisingResponsible Party: EmployerEstimated Cost (AUD): $500 – $1,200
• Phase: Visa AppFee Description: Primary Applicant VACResponsible Party: WorkerEstimated Cost (AUD): $4,910+
• Phase: ReadinessFee Description: Skills AssessmentResponsible Party: WorkerEstimated Cost (AUD): $1,050 – $1,650
• Phase: ReadinessFee Description: Bupa Health CheckResponsible Party: WorkerEstimated Cost (AUD): $350 – $500

Summary & Next Steps

Getting an employer-nominated visa in 2026 needs good teamwork between you and your employer. Know the Subclass 186 Nomination Fee, SAF Levy rules, and your own VAC charges. This helps you avoid mistakes that cause refusals.

To start:

1. Check if your employer has active SBS status.
2. Book your English test (IELTS or PTE) soon.
3. Make sure your employer did Labour Market Testing in the last 4 months.

Would you like a “2026 Employer vs. Worker Legal Checklist” or a “Step-by-Step Guide to the Specialist Skills Pathway”?

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Always check the latest details on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website or talk to a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) before you spend money or apply. Fees can change, so confirm them.