Who this may suit
Couples budgeting for 820/801, 309/100 or a Prospective Marriage 300 pathway.
Key considerations
- Published base charges are not a complete quote for every family.
- The normal combined Partner application and a 300 followed by a Partner application have different cost structures.
- No Ausdirect professional price is quoted here; obtain an individual written scope and fee agreement.
Current standard government charges
The current standard base application charge is AUD11,710 for the combined 820/801 pathway and AUD11,710 for the combined 309/100 pathway. The standard subclass 300 base charge is also AUD11,710. These amounts apply to the ordinary categories, not every concession or special case.
The regulations list standard additional-applicant charges of AUD5,860 for an applicant aged at least 18 and AUD2,935 for one under 18. An additional person must be eligible to be included; paying an extra charge does not establish eligibility.
Use the Home Affairs pricing estimator and the charge displayed for the actual application. Record the subclass, number and ages of applicants and the date checked, so a later change can be identified.
The permanent stage is normally included in the combined charge
For the normal 820/801 and 309/100 combined applications, the government charge covers both stages. Do not budget a second full base application charge simply because the permanent stage is assessed later.
Further evidence and other costs may still arise. If you engage an adviser, ask whether the permanent-stage work is included in the original professional scope. A government charge covering two stages does not automatically mean a professional service agreement covers both.
A Prospective Marriage pathway has a later application
Subclass 300 is a separate visa. After marriage, a couple pursuing the usual onshore Partner pathway makes a new 820/801 application. A standard reduced base charge of AUD1,955 can apply to eligible subclass 300 holders, with concessions and special categories checked separately.
Do not assume that the same reduced amount applies after the 300 expires or in every changed circumstance. Check the exact eligibility and charge before relying on a combined budget. Immigration timing and lawful stay should be resolved independently of the fee calculation.
Check concessions rather than assuming the headline price
Current rules provide lower charges for eligible applicants holding passports from specified Pacific-region countries, including Timor-Leste. The concession depends on the statutory category and relevant passport, not simply on where an applicant lives.
Other special categories can also affect the charge. Give the adviser or estimator the actual visa history and applicant details. Do not choose an application category merely because its price is lower.
Build a complete budget worksheet
Keep each cost on a separate line, with the payer, supplier and due date. Mark an amount as an estimate until confirmed. This practical worksheet helps avoid treating a single advertised number as an all-inclusive price.
- Government charges: the correct base category and any eligible additional applicants.
- Required third-party work: health examinations, police certificates, translations and any other evidence costs relevant to the application.
- Travel and document logistics: only the expenses your actual plan requires, rather than a generic allowance presented as mandatory.
- Professional services: the agreed work, payment stages, applicable taxes and what happens if the scope changes.
- Payment: check the final amount and available payment methods in the official payment screen, and any currency conversion costs charged by your own provider.
Ask what a professional quote includes
Before engaging an agent, ask for the services and fees in writing. Clarify whether the work includes the initial application, sponsorship, permanent-stage evidence, responses to further requests and advice about changed circumstances. Review what is excluded and how additional work would be authorised.
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority explains the importance of agreeing services and fees before work begins. A professional fee is separate from the government application charge. No payment, whether to the Department or an adviser, buys a guaranteed approval.
Understand refund limits before paying
Home Affairs does not refund a charge simply because an application is refused or the applicant changes their mind. Refunds are available only under the relevant legal or administrative grounds; withdrawal alone should not be treated as a refund entitlement.
Check the official refund instructions if there has been an incorrect payment or another potentially qualifying circumstance. Professional-service refunds are a separate issue governed by the agreement and applicable law. Keep receipts and the written scope rather than assuming the same rule applies to both types of payment.
How we can help
Ausdirect can identify the relevant pathway and charge category, explain the expected evidence work and provide a written professional scope before you decide whether to engage assistance.
Questions to consider
Is AUD11,710 the total cost for my whole family?
No. It is the standard base charge at the stated check date. Additional applicants, concessions, other expenses and professional services can change the total.
Does the initial 300 charge include the later Partner application?
No. The later Partner application has its own charge. A reduced category may apply, but the exact position must be checked before lodgement.
Your next step
Prepare the intended pathway, each applicant’s age and passport, and any current or previous subclass 300 details. Request a written cost breakdown and recheck government charges before payment.