The DIAC has recently announced that visa pricing changes are set to take place on 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013.
The goal of the new pricing model is to establish a sustainable visa pricing arrangement by:
- Enhancing the efficiency and integrity of visa applications; and
- Encouraging greater use of the available online services.
The key points of the new pricing model are:
- Charges are per person, rather than per application;
- Provide price flexibility in response to changes to business direction;
- Provide incentives to use lower cost services; and
- Maintain Australia’s competitiveness in key sectors and with comparable countries.
The proposed changes also means that:
- Skilled and temporary economic resident visas will be effected;
- More services will be available online;
- Quicker processing times;
- Electronic visa system containing real-time visa information;
- You will pay for optional services, such as visa labels (which are not required by Australia); and
- Visa price will recognise access to associated services, such as health care).
The proposed implementation timeframe is as follows:
- From 1 July 2012 –
- There will be charges for visa labels, where requested.
- From 1 July 2013 –
- There will be surcharges for:
- Duration (457 visa only).
- Onshore subsequent visa applications (676 tourist, 456 short-stay business, and 457 visas).
- Additional applicants (dependents).
- Paper applications (progressively introduced).
- There will be surcharges for:
By implementing these changes, the DIAC hopes to encourage temporary and long-term residents to consider permanent migration.