How Much Will It Cost to Migrate to Australia in 2025?

Migrating to Australia is an exciting yet complex process that involves significant financial planning. Whether you’re pursuing a skilled migration visa, a partner visa, a student visa, or a business visa, the costs can vary widely based on your personal circumstances, visa type, family size, and lifestyle preferences. As of February 28, 2025, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the key expenses involved in migrating to Australia, providing detailed estimates and insights to help you budget effectively for your move.

1. Visa Application Fees

The cornerstone of your migration budget is the visa application fee, which varies depending on the visa subclass you’re applying for. Below are the costs for some of the most common visa categories as of early 2025 (note that these fees are subject to periodic adjustment by the Australian government):

Skilled Migration Visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491)

These visas are designed for skilled workers who can contribute to Australia’s economy. Costs include:

• • Primary applicant: AUD 4,240

• • Secondary applicant (18+ years): AUD 2,120

• • Child applicant (under 18 years): AUD 1,060

For a family of four (two adults and two children under 18), the total visa fee could reach AUD 8,480 just for the application.

Partner Visas (Subclass 820/801, 309/100)

For those joining a spouse or partner in Australia:

• • Primary applicant: AUD 8,850 (covers both temporary and permanent stages)

• • Additional fees apply for dependents, such as children, which could add AUD 2,220–4,440 per child depending on age and circumstances.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Ideal for those pursuing education in Australia:

• • Primary applicant: AUD 650

• • Dependents: Additional fees of AUD 488 per adult and AUD 162 per child.

Business and Investment Visas (Subclass 188, 132)

For entrepreneurs and investors:

• • Fees range from AUD 5,000 to AUD 9,000, depending on the specific subclass and investment amount.

Additional Visa-Related Costs

Visa fees are just the starting point. You’ll also need to budget for:

• • Health examinations: AUD 300–450 per person

• • Police clearance certificates: AUD 20–100 per person, depending on your country

• • Skill assessments (for skilled visas): AUD 500–1,500, depending on your occupation and assessing authority

For example, a single skilled migrant might spend AUD 5,500–7,000 on visa-related costs alone, while a family of four could see expenses climb to AUD 10,000–15,000.

English Language Proficiency Tests

Most visa categories (except some partner and student visas) require proof of English proficiency. Common tests include:

• • IELTS: AUD 395–420

• • PTE Academic: AUD 410

• • TOEFL iBT: AUD 330

You may need to retake the test if your scores don’t meet the required threshold, so budgeting AUD 400–500 for this step is wise.

3. Skill Assessment Fees

For skilled migration visas, a skill assessment is mandatory to verify your qualifications and experience. Costs depend on your profession:

• • Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): AUD 1,000–1,500 (e.g., for tradespeople)

• • Engineers Australia: AUD 875–1,265 (e.g., for engineers)

• • Australian Computer Society (ACS): AUD 500–600 (e.g., for IT professionals)

On average, expect to spend AUD 500–1,500 per applicant.

4. Medical Examinations

The Australian government requires all visa applicants to undergo a health check with an approved panel physician. Costs vary by country but typically range from AUD 300–450 per person. For a family of four, this could total AUD 1,200–1,800.

5. Police Clearance Certificates

You’ll need police certificates from every country where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Costs vary globally:

• • Australia: AUD 47 per certificate

• • Internationally: AUD 20–100 per certificate

For someone who has lived in multiple countries, this could add AUD 100–300 to the budget.

6. Migration Agent or Lawyer Fees

While not mandatory, many migrants hire professionals to navigate the complex visa process. Fees depend on the case complexity:

• • Basic applications: AUD 2,000–3,000

• • Complex cases (e.g., appeals or partner visas): AUD 5,000–10,000 or more

If you’re confident in handling the process yourself, you can save this expense, but errors can lead to delays or rejections, costing more in the long run.

7. Travel Costs to Australia

Once your visa is approved, you’ll need to arrange travel. Flight costs depend on your departure location, travel class, and booking timing:

• • From Asia or Africa: AUD 800–1,500 per person (economy)

• • From Europe or North America: AUD 1,500–2,500 per person (economy)

For a family of four traveling from North America, flights could total AUD 6,000–10,000.

8. Shipping and Relocation Costs

Moving your belongings to Australia adds another layer of expense:

• • Small shipment (e.g., a few boxes): AUD 500–1,500

• • Full household (e.g., furniture, appliances): AUD 2,000–5,000+

Costs vary based on volume, distance, and whether you use sea or air freight. Some choose to sell items and repurchase in Australia to save money.

9. Initial Living Expenses in Australia

Upon arrival, you’ll need funds to cover essentials until you settle in and, if applicable, secure employment. The Australian government recommends having:

• • Singles: AUD 20,000–30,000

• • Families: AUD 40,000–60,000

Here’s a breakdown of initial costs:

• • Temporary accommodation:
    • • Hotels/Airbnb: AUD 100–300 per night (AUD 700–2,100 for a week)

• • Long-term rental:
    • • Shared apartment: AUD 150–300 per week
    • • 1-bedroom apartment: AUD 350–600 per week (higher in cities like Sydney or Melbourne)

• • Utilities (electricity, water, gas): AUD 150–250 per month

• • Groceries: AUD 100–200 per week per person

• • Public transport: AUD 50–100 per week

For a family of four arriving in Sydney, the first month could easily cost AUD 5,000–8,000 for accommodation, food, and transport.

10. Health Insurance

Many visas (e.g., student or temporary skilled visas) require private health insurance upon arrival:

• • Singles: AUD 50–150 per month

• • Families: AUD 150–400 per month

Medicare, Australia’s public health system, is available only to permanent residents, so temporary visa holders must budget for private coverage.

11. Education Costs for Children

If migrating with children, consider schooling:

• • Public schools: Temporary visa holders may pay AUD 5,000–12,000 per year per child

• • Private schools: AUD 15,000–40,000 per year per child

Childcare for younger kids can cost AUD 100–200 per day.

12. Miscellaneous Costs

Unexpected expenses can arise, such as:

• • Document translation: AUD 50–100 per document

• • Furniture/appliances: AUD 1,000–5,000 to set up a new home

• • Driving license conversion: AUD 50–200

Budgeting an extra AUD 1,000–2,000 for contingencies is prudent.

Total Cost Estimates

Here’s a rough estimate based on different scenarios:

Single Skilled Migrant

• • Visa fees: AUD 4,240

• • Skill assessment: AUD 1,000

• • English test: AUD 400

• • Medical/police checks: AUD 400

• • Flights: AUD 1,500

• • Initial living costs (3 months): AUD 10,000

• • Total: AUD 17,540

Family of Four (Skilled Migration)

• • Visa fees: AUD 8,480

• • Skill assessment: AUD 1,000

• • English test: AUD 400

• • Medical/police checks: AUD 1,600

• • Flights: AUD 6,000

• • Shipping: AUD 3,000

• • Initial living costs (3 months): AUD 20,000

• • Total: AUD 40,480

Student (Single)

• • Visa fees: AUD 650

• • English test: AUD 400

• • Medical/police checks: AUD 400

• • Flights: AUD 1,500

• • Initial living costs (3 months): AUD 10,000

• • Total: AUD 12,950

Partner Visa (Couple)

• • Visa fees: AUD 8,850

• • Medical/police checks: AUD 800

• • Flights: AUD 3,000

• • Initial living costs (3 months): AUD 15,000

• • Total: AUD 27,650

Tips to Reduce Costs

DIY Applications: Skip migration agents if you’re confident in the process.

Early Planning: Book flights and shipping well in advance for discounts.

Minimalist Move: Sell items instead of shipping them.

Shared Housing: Start with cheaper accommodation options.

Regional Areas: Consider moving to less expensive regions like Tasmania or South Australia instead of Sydney or Melbourne.

FAQs

How much should I save before migrating?

• • Singles: AUD 20,000–30,000

• • Families: AUD 40,000–60,000

Can I get financial assistance? No, Australia doesn’t offer grants or loans to new migrants. You must prove financial self-sufficiency.

How long does the process take? Visa processing can take 3 months to over 2 years, depending on the subclass and your circumstances.

Conclusion

Migrating to Australia in 2025 is a significant investment, with costs ranging from AUD 15,000–30,000 for singles to AUD 40,000–80,000 for families. By understanding the breakdown—visa fees, travel, living expenses, and more—you can budget effectively and make your transition smoother. Start saving early, research thoroughly, and prepare for a rewarding new chapter Down Under!