How Much Does Australia PR Cost from India? The Full Budget for 2026
How Much Does Australia PR Cost from India? The Full Budget for 2026
The question comes up constantly in Indian migration forums: "How much does it actually cost?" Most agents give a number that covers only their fee, not the full picture. The real figure is significantly higher, and it matters because visa fees are non-refundable if your application is refused.
Here is the complete budget for a Subclass 189 application from India in 2026, including every mandatory cost and the optional ones worth taking seriously.
Mandatory Costs: What You Cannot Skip
Skills Assessment
For ICT professionals, the ACS (Australian Computer Society) assessment costs AUD 1,498 (approximately INR 84,000 at current exchange rates). This is a one-time fee per application — you cannot split it across occupations and there is no partial refund if the assessment takes longer than expected.
Engineers Australia assessment: AUD 990-1,100 depending on the pathway (Accredited or CDR).
VETASSESS (for accountants, project managers, HR roles): AUD 900-1,200 depending on the assessment category.
English Language Test
PTE Academic costs approximately AUD 410 (INR 23,000) per attempt. Most applicants sit the test at least twice. Budget AUD 820-1,230 for two to three attempts.
IELTS costs approximately INR 17,000 per attempt through IDP or British Council.
If your goal is 20 points from Superior English (PTE 79 in each component), factor in preparation costs — a structured coaching program typically runs INR 10,000-30,000.
Visa Application Fee (from July 2025)
Subclass 189 primary applicant: AUD 4,910 (approximately INR 2,75,000).
Secondary applicant aged 18 or over: AUD 2,455 (approximately INR 1,37,500).
Secondary applicant under 18: AUD 1,230 (approximately INR 69,000).
For a couple with no children, the combined visa fee is AUD 7,365. This is the single largest expense in the process and it is payable at time of application lodgement — not on grant.
Medical Examination
Health examinations are conducted at approved Indian clinics (typically in major cities). The cost for one adult is approximately AUD 250-300 (INR 14,000-17,000). The examination includes chest X-ray, blood tests, and a general medical review. Results are submitted directly to the Department of Home Affairs.
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
The Indian PCC issued by the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) costs a nominal government fee of a few hundred rupees. However, if you have worked outside India (in the UAE, Singapore, or elsewhere), you need PCCs from each country where you lived for 12 or more months in the last 10 years. Third-party facilitation services for Indian PCCs typically charge INR 5,000-15,000 for convenience, though the government fee itself is minimal.
Optional Costs That Are Worth It
NAATI CCL Test
The Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test costs AUD 814 (approximately INR 45,700). It awards 5 bonus points on passing — potentially the difference between waiting indefinitely and receiving an invitation. For Hindi and Punjabi speakers, this is one of the best-value investments in the entire process.
Professional Year
A Professional Year program in Australia awards 5 points and is open to accountants and IT graduates who have completed an Australian degree. The cost is AUD 3,500-5,000 and requires 44 weeks of participation, including internship. Only relevant if you are already in Australia on a student or graduate visa.
Partner Skills Assessment
If your partner has an occupation on the relevant skilled list, completing their skills assessment adds 10 points (or 5 points for Competent English alone). Budget AUD 900-1,500 depending on the assessing authority.
Agent Fees: MARA vs. DIY
MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) registered agents in India typically charge:
- Skills assessment support: INR 30,000-75,000
- EOI and SkillSelect lodgement: INR 25,000-50,000
- Visa application lodgement and case management: AUD 2,000-5,000 (INR 1,12,000-2,80,000)
Total agent cost for a full-service engagement: INR 1,50,000 to INR 4,00,000, on top of all government and assessment fees.
Non-MARA agents operating in India (often marketed through YouTube and WhatsApp groups) charge similar fees with significantly less accountability and no recourse if mistakes are made in your application.
The DIY path is genuinely feasible for the skills assessment and EOI stages. The visa lodgement itself — once you have the Invitation to Apply — involves uploading documents and completing the IMMI account form, which many applicants manage independently using the Department's published checklists.
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Total Budget Summary
| Expense | AUD | INR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| ACS Skills Assessment | 1,498 | 84,000 |
| PTE Academic (2 attempts) | 820 | 46,000 |
| Visa Fee (primary applicant) | 4,910 | 2,75,000 |
| Visa Fee (secondary applicant 18+) | 2,455 | 1,37,500 |
| Medical Examination (2 people) | 550 | 31,000 |
| PCC | ~50 | ~3,000 |
| NAATI CCL | 814 | 45,700 |
| Total (couple, no agent) | ~11,097 | ~6,22,200 |
Add AUD 2,000-5,000 if engaging a MARA agent for visa lodgement.
Timing: When to Spend What
The worst outcome is spending AUD 1,498 on an ACS assessment, then discovering your score is too low to receive an invitation. The right sequence:
- Calculate your estimated points score before spending anything. Use the official Department of Home Affairs points calculator.
- Sit the PTE first — English improvement is the fastest points gain and does not require any prior steps.
- Lodge the ACS assessment once you know your English score and can estimate your total.
- Lodge the EOI (free) once the assessment is complete.
- Pay the visa fee only after receiving an Invitation to Apply.
The visa fee is non-refundable on application — not on grant. Pay it when the invitation arrives, not before.
The India to Australia Skilled 189 Guide includes a complete cost timeline and points calculation worksheet to help you sequence spending correctly and avoid the common trap of paying for an assessment before your score supports an invitation.
Get Your Free India → Australia Skilled 189 Guide — Quick-Start Checklist
Download the India → Australia Skilled 189 Guide — Quick-Start Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.