Government hikes visa fees – opportunity to save $$

To help save the taxpayer $563 million over 4 years the government is increasing visa application fees from 1 October 2024. The new fees are to fund IT upgrades, visa processing, compliance activity, risk management and English as a Second Language (ESOL) tuition for schools that have been under increasing pressure with new enrolments from children needing this additional support.

The extra costs will impact employers who recruit and employ migrant workers. If you have plans to recruit migrant workers, extend work visas of existing staff or support staff to apply for residence then applications should be lodged before the fees increase.

This table illustrates some examples of the level of fee increases that may apply to your business and/or migrant workers.

If you have anyone in your team is planning to apply for a visa the team at Malcolm Pacific Immigration can help them lodge before the fees increase.

There are very high decline rates for people who apply on their own for residence, work or visitor visas and did not engage a trusted licensed immigration adviser.

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