Buried in Tuesday’s ABC exclusive on looming migration cuts was confirmation that visa-application fee increases, effective 1 July, will net an *extra* AUD 1.2 billion for Treasury this financial year—24 per cent more than forecast in December’s mid-year update. The scale of the hike is only now being felt as invoices land. A standard Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa for a family of four, once AUD 8,780, now tops AUD 10,900 before health checks or surcharges. Resident-return visas jumped from AUD 490 to AUD 1,475, while partner-visa fees sit at a record AUD 9,450. Migration Institute of Australia president John Hourigan warned the increases undermine the government’s stated goal of attracting highly skilled migrants: “If you add Australia’s already high cost of living and housing pressure, we risk pricing ourselves out of the global talent market.” HR directors agree; one ASX-50 energy firm told *Global Mobility News* it has re-allocated AUD 3 million to cover unexpected fee differentials on 180 planned moves through 2027. Practical steps for employers include revising cost-projection templates, using bulk nomination lodgements before further rises, and educating business units that fee hikes are part of a broader strategy to nudge down net migration. Companies with large graduate or rotational programmes may consider multi-year budget provisions or alternative immigration jurisdictions for regional project work.
Source: ABC News
