The DIAC has recently announced that visa pricing changes are set to take place on 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013.
DIAC is adopting a new pricing model in July 2012 designed to encourage on-line lodgments, and the use of electronic services.
These proposed changes will:
- see DIAC charge a fee per person (rather than per application).
- Effect skilled and temporary economic resident visas.
- Make more on-line services available.
- Speed up visa processing.
- Allow applicants to pay for optional services, such as visa labels (which are not required by Australia).
- Ensure that Visa prices reflect access to associated services, such as health care.
- Allow for DIAC to charge surcharges (effective from 1 July 2013) for:
- Duration (457 visa only).
- Subsequent onshore visa applications (676 tourist, 456 short-stay business, and 457 visas).
- Additional applicants (dependents).
- Paper applications (these will be progressively introduced).
By implementing these changes, the DIAC hopes to encourage temporary and long-term residents to consider permanent migration.
We have previously posted about this in our news feed.