The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Mr. Chris Bowen, has announced that the Australian Government will introduce a new Australian visa pricing system, beginning in January 2012
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have recently reviewed Australia’s Visa Application Charges (VACs) and decided to restructure the current visa pricing model, in an effort to create a ‘user-pays’ approach and to ensure that VACs reflect the actual expected cost of assessing, processing and delivering visa services in Australia.
“These changes will bring Australia's visa application charge structures in line with comparable countries. The user-pays approach means that taxpayers will no longer need to subsidise visa applicants.” Minister Bowen said.
Changes to the current Visa Application Charge system will begin to take effect from 1st January 2012, and will continue to be progressively introduced over the following 18 months.
Introduction of new VACs – changes applicable on 1st January 2012:
From the 1st January, 2012, the VAC applicable to student visas will decrease by %5. This is intended to improve Australia’s competitiveness in the international education sector.
Also from this date, the VAC for a range of Skills and Business visa subclasses will increase by a total of between %5 - %15.
It is unclear at this stage exactly which Australian visa subclasses will fall under the increased VAC from 1st January 2012. Haag Walker Lawyers will provide information regarding this as it becomes available.
Progressive Introduction to Visa Application Charges (VACs) – expected changes over the following 18 months:
From July 2012, it is expected that a CPI increase will be made to the VAC amount on most Australian visa subclasses. A surcharge will also be introduced for optional services, such as visa labeling.
From July 2013, the VAC applicable to longer-duration visas, or to visa holders currently within Australia who are seeking further visa services, is expected to increase.
Minister Bowen has also announced that from July 2013, a fee will be included for any dependants of a primary visa applicant who are included in the application.
“If people are bringing family members with them to Australia, the fee will reflect the additional processing and checks for these family members,” he said.
Bowen has also stated that in a bid to encourage the use of online applications, an additional VAC will be introduced for people who make a paper application where an online option is available.
Visas exempt from new Visa Application Charges:
It is expected that some programs, especially the visitor visa program, will remain completely unaffected by these changes, to ensure that there is no adverse impact on Australia’s tourism industry.
Any visitor arriving in Australia on an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or from the European Economic Community will not be affected by any future rise in VACs.
Humanitarian and Refugee visas will remain unaltered, as will Postgraduate research student visas, and Australian sponsoring businesses of temporary or permanent work visas.
Further Information on Visa Application Charges:
DIAC have advised that more information on these changes will be made available on the DIAC website, as the changes are implemented.
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