The visa application charge for Australian partner visa applications will increase on 1 July 2018.

The new visa application charge for Australian partner visas will be $7,160.

I urge everyone who can submit their application now to not delay. However be mindful that submitting incomplete applications may not be a good idea.

Once again I’m disappointed in this move by the government. When I first received the notice of this I thought to myself “the Australian government has done it again!”

As if the price of Australian partner visas was not high enough, they’ve decided to index it to inflation.

Whilst this increase is not as high as the previous one, I know couples have to forego a lot, scrimp and save to even get together the visa application charge. Not to mention the other associated fees.

So while this increase is a drop in the proverbial visa fee ocean, an extra $160 may still pose a problem for some couples trying real hard to stay afloat. This is especially true if the foreign partner does not have a job in Australia or due to visa restrictions can only work limited hours.

But like I always say, chin up and don’t be disheartened by this news. Love will find a way!

Full text here: Migration Amendment (Visa Application Charges) Regulations 2018