Subclass 491 visa fees in 2026: what the Skilled Work Regional visa really costs
The subclass 491 is the visa most people land on when their points aren't quite enough for a 189 or 190. It's provisional, it ties you to a regional area for at least three years, and it leads to permanent residency through the subclass 191. It also got noticeably more expensive on 1 July 2026, when the base charge rose 25% in line with most skilled visas.
This guide lays out every cost, from the government fee to the ones nobody budgets for.
Subclass 491 visa application charge from 1 July 2026
| Applicant | Charge |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | AU$6,140 |
| Additional applicant 18 or over | AU$3,070 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AU$1,535 |
| Second instalment (adult without functional English) | AU$4,890 |
The fee is locked by the date Home Affairs receives your application, not when you receive your state nomination or invitation. Applications lodged before 1 July 2026 were charged at the previous rate of AU$4,910 for the primary applicant.
Eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste pay a reduced charge based on the primary applicant's passport. Everyone else pays the full amount.
The second instalment explained
This one surprises people. If a family member aged 18 or over is included in your application and cannot demonstrate functional English, Home Affairs charges an extra AU$4,890 for that person. It's only requested if the visa is about to be granted, so it doesn't appear at lodgement, but it needs to be in your budget from day one. Functional English can be shown through an English test, a qualification taught in English, or citizenship of certain countries.
Costs on top of the visa charge
The AU$6,140 is the fee everyone quotes. It's rarely the biggest number on your spreadsheet. Here's what a primary applicant typically pays before and alongside lodgement:
| Cost item | Typical range (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skills assessment | $500 to $2,000 | Varies widely by assessing body (ACS at the low end, EA and TRA at the high end) |
| English test | $410 to $480 | IELTS, PTE or equivalent |
| State or territory nomination | $0 to $300 | Some states charge, some don't; fees change each program year |
| Health examinations | $350 to $550 | Per person, via Bupa Medical Visa Services in Australia |
| Police certificates | $0 to $100 | Per country lived in 12+ months in the last 10 years |
| NAATI certified translations | $300 to $800 | Any document not in English; see below |
Add it up and a single applicant from a non-English-speaking country usually spends AU$8,500 to AU$10,000 in total. A couple with one child, both adults needing translations and one adult without functional English, can approach AU$20,000 without anything going wrong.
Optional costs on top: a registered migration agent (AU$3,000 to AU$6,000 for a 491), and travel or relocation to your regional area.
Where translations fit in
Skilled migration is the most translation-heavy visa pathway there is, because the same documents get assessed twice: first by your skills assessment body, then by Home Affairs. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries typically need 8 to 15 NAATI certified translations across both stages, covering:
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts
- Employment references and payslips for claimed work experience
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, if including a partner
- Police certificates from every country lived in 12+ months
- Partner's identity and qualification documents, if claiming partner points
At EzyTranslate a NAATI translation costs AU$69 for the first page and AU$49 per additional page, delivered in 24 to 48 hours. A typical 491 applicant with a 3-page transcript, a diploma, a birth certificate and two police checks lands around AU$440. The Skilled Worker package bundles the common documents and saves up to 23%.
For the full document list, see our skilled migration documents guide.
What the subclass 191 costs later
The 491 isn't quite the end of the spend, but the next step is cheap by comparison. After three years living, working and studying in a designated regional area, and with three ATO Notices of Assessment from that period, you apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, subclass 191. There's no points test, no new nomination and no minimum income requirement in the Regional Provisional stream.
The 191 application charge is AU$630 for the primary applicant from 1 July 2026, with smaller charges for a partner and children. The one large number to watch is the same second instalment as the 491, AU$4,890 for any adult family member with less than functional English. Health and police checks may need to be redone if the originals have expired, and any new overseas police certificate will need a fresh translation.
491 vs 189 vs 190: is the fee any different?
Practically no. From 1 July 2026 the 190 and 491 sit at AU$6,140 for the primary applicant and the 189 at AU$6,135, with matching family member charges across all three. The differences are in nomination requirements, points, regional obligations and processing, not price. If cost is your deciding factor between the three, it shouldn't be.
Estimate your total with the calculator
Our visa fee calculator takes your subclass, family composition and document count and gives you a total including translations. Useful before you commit to a state nomination.
FAQ
How much is the 491 visa in 2026?
AU$6,140 for the primary applicant from 1 July 2026, plus AU$3,070 per additional adult and AU$1,535 per child under 18.
Did the 491 visa fee increase in July 2026?
Yes, by 25%, from AU$4,910 to AU$6,140, in line with most skilled visa charges. The new rate applies to applications received on or after 1 July 2026.
Is the state nomination fee included in the visa charge?
No. Nomination fees are set by each state or territory and paid separately, and some states charge nothing. Check your nominating state's current fee schedule.
Can I get a refund if my 491 application is refused?
No. The visa application charge is non-refundable regardless of outcome, which is why an incomplete or poorly documented application is so expensive.
Do I need NAATI translations for a 491 visa?
Yes, for any supporting document not in English, at both the skills assessment and visa stages. Home Affairs does not accept uncertified or machine translations.
How much does the subclass 191 cost after the 491?
AU$630 for the primary applicant in the Regional Provisional stream, far below the 491 fee. The AU$4,890 second instalment still applies to adult family members without functional English.
Is there a minimum income requirement for the 191?
Not anymore. Since June 2023 the Regional Provisional stream only requires three ATO Notices of Assessment showing you lodged tax returns during your 491 years.
