Total Cost of Australia PR from Indonesia: A Complete Breakdown in IDR and AUD

Most Indonesian professionals who research Australian skilled migration focus on the government visa fee — AUD 4,640 for a primary applicant. That number alone converts to over IDR 50 million. But the visa application charge is only one component. The total cost of getting Australian permanent residency from Indonesia, from the first English test to the visa grant, typically runs AUD 6,500 to AUD 10,000 for a single applicant, and significantly more for families.

Here is a complete cost breakdown with Indonesian Rupiah equivalents at current exchange rates.

Phase 1: English Proficiency Test

IELTS Academic or General Training

• Cost in Indonesia: IDR 3,490,000 (approximately AUD 310)
• Available in: Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, Bali, Yogyakarta

PTE Academic

• Cost in Indonesia: IDR 3,500,000+ (approximately AUD 315)
• Available in: Jakarta and Surabaya primarily

Most Indonesian applicants sit the test once, get their score, and decide whether to retest. Budget for at least one sitting, ideally two, as many applicants need a second attempt to reach the "Superior" threshold (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79) required for maximum English points.

If using the IELTS One Skill Retake: approximately IDR 1,500,000 for the single skill retake, saving IDR 2,000,000 compared to a full resit.

English test budget: IDR 3,500,000 to IDR 7,000,000 (1–2 sittings)

Phase 2: Skills Assessment

The skills assessment fee depends on your assessing authority and occupation. All fees are quoted in AUD.

NAATI-certified translation of Indonesian documents is a separate cost. Expect AUD 90 to 130 per page, and most applicants have 10 to 20 pages of documents (transcripts, degree certificates, employment letters). Allow AUD 1,000 to AUD 2,500 for translations, depending on document volume.

Skills assessment budget: IDR 5,000,000 to IDR 14,000,000 (assessment fees only) Translations: IDR 11,000,000 to IDR 28,000,000 (NAATI certified)

Phase 3: Indonesian Document Costs

Before lodging your visa application, you need several Indonesian-specific documents that have their own costs.

SKCK (Police Clearance from Mabes Polri)

• Official government fee: IDR 30,000 to IDR 50,000
• Third-party facilitation (optional): IDR 1,000,000 to IDR 3,000,000
• Valid 6 months — must be timed carefully

Kemenkumham Apostille (if required)

• Government fee: IDR 150,000 per document
• If apostilling SKCK + birth certificate + degree: IDR 450,000 in government fees
• Additional notary fees if documents need re-verification: IDR 200,000 to IDR 500,000 per document

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan records: Free to obtain via the BPJS app SPT income tax records (Form 1721-A1): Obtained from your employer HR, usually free

Indonesian document budget: IDR 500,000 to IDR 4,000,000

Phase 4: Visa Application Charge

The Visa Application Charge (VAC) is set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and is denominated in AUD. At current AUD/IDR exchange rates:

The credit card limit problem: The AUD 4,640 primary fee converts to over IDR 50 million — typically above the default international transaction limit on most Indonesian bank cards (BCA, Mandiri, BNI). Payment incurs a 1.40% surcharge for Visa and Mastercard through ImmiAccount.

Jenius (BTPN) is the most widely used solution in the Indonesian migrant community. The Jenius app allows permanent international limit increases by uploading SPT tax records, and the e-Card feature makes it easy to manage a specific card for the purpose. Alternative: ask your bank to temporarily increase your international credit limit before the payment date.

Visa application budget: AUD 4,640+ per primary applicant

Phase 5: Medical Examination

All visa applicants must undergo a health examination through BUPA-authorized panel physicians. In Indonesia:

• Jakarta: Medikaloka Health Care (Graha Irama), Premier Bintaro
• Surabaya: RS Premier Surabaya
• Bali: BIMC Hospital (Kuta or Nusa Dua)

Results are uploaded directly to DHA via the eMedical system. Costs apply per applicant — for families, multiply accordingly.

Indonesia is classified as a country with moderate tuberculosis prevalence, which means the chest X-ray is the most scrutinised component. If scarring is found, additional sputum testing may be required, adding 3 to 6 months to the timeline but no additional government cost (the tests are managed through the panel physician).

Medical budget: IDR 3,500,000–5,000,000 per applicant

Total Cost Summary: Single Applicant

In AUD: approximately AUD 6,800 to AUD 9,900 for a single applicant.

Family Applications

Each secondary applicant (spouse, children) adds the VAC cost plus their own medical examination cost. Spouses who are included in the application also need police clearances, translations, and potentially their own English test.

A family of four (two adults, two children) realistically adds IDR 50,000,000 to IDR 80,000,000 to the primary applicant cost.

What Is Not Included

This breakdown covers government and third-party fees only. It does not include:

• Migration agent fees (if used): add IDR 50,000,000–100,000,000
• State nomination application fees (typically AUD 50–250 depending on state)
• Flights to Jakarta for Mabes Polri SKCK or medical if you live outside Java
• Relocation costs after visa grant

The Financial Preparation Timeline

Knowing the cost breakdown allows you to plan financially even before your skills assessment is complete. The biggest single payment — the VAC — comes only after you receive an ITA and are ready to lodge. That gives you the 12 to 18 months of the skills assessment and EOI waiting period to accumulate the funds.

For a complete planning timeline that maps financial milestones against process milestones, the Indonesia → Australia Skilled Migration Guide includes a cash flow planner alongside the document and administrative timelines.

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