Total Cost of Migrating to Australia from the Philippines (2026): Full Breakdown
The total cost of migrating to Australia from the Philippines surprises most applicants. It is not just the visa application fee — it is a series of mandatory expenditures spread over 12 to 24 months, with several non-refundable payments that make mistakes expensive.
Here is the complete cost picture for a Filipino professional applying for skilled migration in 2026, from document procurement to landing in Australia.
Stage 1: Philippine Document Procurement
| Document | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| NBI Clearance | PHP 130–175 |
| PSA birth certificate + DFA eApostille | PHP 630–800 |
| PSA marriage certificate + eApostille (if applicable) | PHP 630–800 |
| PRC Certificate of Good Standing + authentication | PHP 1,500–2,500 |
| CHED CAV on academic documents | PHP 1,500–3,000 |
| DFA apostille on academic documents | PHP 500–810 per document |
| International police clearances (if OFW in Gulf) | AED 100–200 / SAR 50–100 per country |
Document procurement is the lowest-cost phase — typically PHP 5,000 to 15,000 in total — but it takes the most calendar time (2 to 4 months) due to processing queues at DFA, PRC, and CHED.
Stage 2: Skills Assessment
The skills assessment is the first major expenditure, and it is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
| Assessing Body | Assessment Type | Fee (AUD) | Philippine Peso Approx. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANMAC | Full Skills Assessment (nurses) | $595 | ₱22,000 |
| ANMAC | Modified Skills Assessment (AHPRA-registered) | $395 | ₱14,600 |
| ACS | General Skills Assessment (IT) | $530 | ₱19,600 |
| ACS | RPL Pathway | $530 | ₱19,600 |
| Engineers Australia | Standard (CDR pathway) | $700 (from July 2026) | ₱25,900 |
| Engineers Australia | Washington Accord pathway | Varies | — |
| VETASSESS | Professional Assessment | $715–$1,450 | ₱26,500–₱53,700 |
| CPA Australia | Skilled Employment Assessment | $450 | ₱16,650 |
For nurses: if you are pursuing AHPRA registration through the OBA process simultaneously, add the NCLEX and OSCE fees:
- NCLEX-RN exam fee: approximately USD $200 (PHP 11,500 at current rates) plus the Pearson VUE registration
- OSCE exam fee: $4,000 AUD (₱148,000) — non-refundable
The OSCE is the single largest cost in the nursing pathway and the highest-risk payment given the pass rate for first-time international candidates.
Stage 3: English Proficiency Testing
| Test | Fee in Philippines |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | PHP 13,660 |
| PTE Academic | PHP 11,950 |
| OET (all modules) | PHP 17,000–19,000 |
Plan for at least one full sitting, possibly two. If you use the IELTS One Skill Retake:
- OSR fee: approximately PHP 7,000 (half the full test cost)
Total English testing budget: PHP 12,000 to 30,000, depending on how many attempts are needed.
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Stage 4: Visa Application Fees (Department of Home Affairs)
Visa fees are paid to the Australian Government and are non-refundable if the visa is refused.
| Visa | Primary Applicant | Each Adult Dependent | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 | $4,910 AUD | $2,455 AUD | $1,230 AUD |
| Subclass 190 | $4,640 AUD | $2,320 AUD | $1,160 AUD |
| Subclass 491 | $4,640 AUD | $2,320 AUD | $1,160 AUD |
For a married couple applying together (primary + one adult dependent), the visa fee alone is approximately:
- 189: $7,365 AUD (₱272,000)
- 190/491: $6,960 AUD (₱257,000)
If the primary applicant has children being included as dependents, fees increase further.
Stage 5: Health Examination and Biometrics
Required for all visa applicants above a certain age.
| Component | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Medical examination (adult) | PHP 4,000–7,000 depending on clinic and any additional tests |
| Chest X-ray | Typically included in medical |
| Biometrics | Usually free for Philippine applicants at the Australian Embassy |
Medical examinations must be conducted at an AHPRA (or DHA) Panel Physician. In the Philippines, panel physicians are available in Manila, Cebu, and other major cities.
Optional: Migration Agent Fees
Professional migration agents charge milestone-based fees. For a Subclass 189/190 process:
- Large-scale migration firms (e.g., Aussizz Philippines): PHP 200,000–400,000
- Boutique registered migration agents: PHP 150,000–250,000
- Solo registered migration agent (single applicant): PHP 300,000+
- For a couple: PHP 600,000+
The DIY alternative — handling the process yourself with a comprehensive guide — is what most budget-conscious Filipino applicants pursue. The key risks in DIY are documentation errors, incorrect occupation code selection, and points miscalculation. A detailed guide that addresses these specific risks is substantially cheaper than agent fees and sufficient for most straightforward applications.
Stage 6: Relocation to Australia
Once the visa is granted, the next costs are:
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Airfare (Manila to Sydney/Melbourne) | PHP 25,000–60,000 depending on airline and timing |
| First month rent + bond (Sydney) | AUD 4,000–6,000 (₱148,000–222,000) |
| First month rent + bond (Melbourne) | AUD 3,500–5,500 |
| First month rent + bond (Adelaide/Perth) | AUD 2,500–4,000 |
| Household setup (bedding, kitchenware) | AUD 500–1,500 |
| Medicare enrollment | Free (as a PR holder) |
| Bank account setup | Free |
Most financial advisors and Filipino migrant communities recommend arriving with at least AUD 6,000 to 10,000 (₱220,000–370,000) as a buffer for the first few months before your first full paycheck. Housing scarcity in Sydney and Melbourne means securing accommodation before arrival — through kabayan networks or employer contacts — is strongly advisable.
Total Cost Summary: Single Applicant
| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Philippine documents | PHP 5,000 | PHP 15,000 |
| Skills assessment | PHP 19,600 | PHP 53,700 |
| OSCE (nurses only) | PHP 148,000 | PHP 148,000 |
| English testing | PHP 12,000 | PHP 30,000 |
| Visa fee (190) | PHP 171,680 | PHP 171,680 |
| Health/biometrics | PHP 4,000 | PHP 7,000 |
| Airfare | PHP 25,000 | PHP 60,000 |
| Arrival buffer (AUD 6,000) | PHP 222,000 | PHP 370,000 |
| Total (nurse, solo) | ~PHP 607,280 | ~PHP 855,380 |
| Total (IT, solo) | ~PHP 459,280 | ~PHP 707,380 |
For a couple (primary + partner), add approximately 50–75% to the visa fee (depending on the visa subclass and how many people are included), plus the partner's skills assessment and any additional English test costs.
Why Getting It Right Matters
The visa fee alone — $4,640 to $4,910 AUD — is non-refundable. If a visa is refused due to a documentation error, character issue, or incorrect claim in the EOI, the filing fees are lost. A single skills assessment done incorrectly must be redone at full cost.
At a total investment of ₱500,000 to ₱800,000, the decision to spend PHP 2,000 to 3,000 on a comprehensive guide that prevents even one documentation mistake or incorrect points claim pays for itself many times over.
The Philippines to Australia Skilled Migration Guide covers the complete document sequence, skills assessment strategy, and EOI lodgement process for Filipino applicants — structured specifically around the Philippine bureaucratic context and the most common errors that cost applicants their visa fees.
Get Your Free Philippines → Australia Skilled Migration Guide — Quick-Start Checklist
Download the Philippines → Australia Skilled Migration Guide — Quick-Start Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.