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December 5, 2011 – A new Australian visa fee system was just recently announced to take effect from 1 January 2012 by Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.

While Australian student visa application will see a reduction in visa costs in an effort to attract foreign students, other Australian visas are set to see a sharp increase in Australian visa application fees.

As recently announced, the Australia student visa application fees will decrease by 5%. However, a hike in the Australia visa processing fees in the tune of between 5 and 10% is set to take effect in January. This recent move is feared to negatively impact the recruitment drive particularly in Western Australia.

Along with the 5-15% visa to Australia fee increase for the range of Australia skilled visa and business immigration to Australia visas, family members and dependents seeking visa Australia will also be charged a special fee for the additional processing costs and checks required. The said fee changes are set to take effect from July 2013 onwards and are aimed to help the Australian government save funds to the tune of $613 million over the next four years.

However, these recent visa fee changes are expected to negatively impact most significantly Western Australia, which has relied on the tens of thousands of skilled migrants to help them meet its estimated shortfall of 150,000 workers, mostly in the resource sector, by 2016.

The higher cost of Australian skilled visas might deter skilled immigration to Australia. Currently, Australian skilled visa cost is nearly £4,500 while those with recognized skills and sponsored by an employer are required to pay nearly £1,000.

Moreover, the cost of an Australian business visa is around £150 and those wanting to establish a new business or manage a new or an existing business need to pay £650.

According to Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief economist John Nicolaou, the latest visa fee increases would bring little benefit to the government while making it more difficult to attract desperately needed workers.

source:
australiamagazine.co.uk