Australia Tourist Visa Fee for Indians 2026: AUD 250 per Person

This article explains who pays what, which costs can come on top, and what the visa gives you for the money. All figures are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. The full application process is in our Australia visa guide for Indians.

Does every visitor stream cost AUD 250?

Three of the streams open to Indians share the same base charge. The new charges came in with the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations, effective 1 July 2026.

The current figures are on the Home Affairs visa pricing table.

How much does a family pay?

There is no family application. Home Affairs says family members cannot be included: each person, including children, applies and pays separately. A couple travelling with two children therefore lodges four applications and pays the visa charge four times.

Children under 18 also need their own supporting papers: a birth certificate showing both parents, Form 1229 consent or a statutory declaration from any non-travelling parent with signed photo ID, and Form 1257 if they will not stay with a relative or guardian.

What other costs can come on top of the visa charge?

• Health checks, police certificates and biometrics. Home Affairs lists these as possible extra costs, requested case by case.
• Translations. Every non-English document must be translated into English, with the translator's details.
• Health insurance. It is not a listed requirement, but you are liable for all your healthcare costs in Australia and the Department strongly recommends adequate cover. Some visas are granted with Condition 8501, which requires you to maintain adequate health insurance.
• A security bond for some Sponsored Family stream applications, paid by the sponsor if asked.

There is no VFS service charge. Indians apply online through ImmiAccount, and India is not on the list of countries with Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (correct as of March 2026). Because the charge is set in AUD, the rupee cost depends on the conversion when you pay.

When do you pay, and what happens if you don't?

You pay the application charge online in ImmiAccount when you lodge, and Home Affairs does not process the application until the fee is paid. Online lodgement has been mandatory since 30 September 2021. You must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is decided. If granted, the visa is digitally linked to your passport; there is no label.

What does the AUD 250 visa give you?

• Tourist stream: a stay of up to 12 months, generally 3 months, decided case by case; single or multiple entry; study or training of up to 3 months is allowed.
• Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents: may get a visa valid for more than 12 months with multiple entries, but no more than 12 months' stay in any 18 months.
• Business Visitor stream: up to 3 months (up to 12 in certain circumstances) for business enquiries, contract negotiations and conferences, not for working for an Australian business.
• Sponsored Family stream: a standard stay of 3 months, generally single entry, with 6 months after grant to enter.

Your grant letter shows the stay period and whether the visa is single or multiple entry; entries can also be checked in VEVO. Visitor visas cannot be extended. You must apply for a new visa, which is not possible if condition 8503 (No Further Stay) is attached unless it is waived.

How long will you wait, and how often are Indians refused?

The Home Affairs global guide, which covers all nationalities, shows Tourist stream decisions at 50% in 21 days and 90% in 33 days; Business Visitor at 50% in 7 days and 90% in 19 days; and Sponsored Family at 50% in 40 days and 90% in 3 months. For Indian citizens, tourist visitor visas granted between October and December 2025 had a median of 14 days, with 75% within 23 days.

The Home Affairs Visitor visa program report gives grant rates for Indian citizens in October-December 2025, measured as grants as a percentage of grants plus refusals: 69.8% for Tourist visitor visas (73.2% in the same quarter of 2024), 61.0% for Sponsored Tourist and 80.9% for Business Visitor. These describe past decisions, not the outcome of a new application.

Before you pay: how to avoid wasting the fee

• Pick the Tourist stream for applicants outside Australia; the in-Australia stream costs AUD 630.
• Show money for the trip with itemised personal bank statements for a 3-month period, pay slips, tax records, term deposits or credit card statements.
• Show reasons to return: an employer letter confirming you will return to your job, proof of study in India, close family in India or property ownership.
• Scan every document in colour, with multi-page documents as one file.
• Do not buy non-refundable tickets before the grant; a verifiable flight reservation is enough to show your plans.

Yatra For Fun's Gurugram office prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for Australian visitor files. Packages start at INR 1,000 for a flight reservation and reach INR 3,000 for the reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter together. WhatsApp us on +91 95230 91018 or get in touch through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay the Australian visa fee in Indian rupees?

Home Affairs sets and charges the fee in Australian dollars and publishes no INR amount. You pay online in ImmiAccount when you lodge the application, and it is not processed until the payment goes through.

Is there a cheaper ETA or eVisitor option for Indian passport holders?

No. Indian passports are not eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or the eVisitor (subclass 651). Indian citizens need a Visitor visa (subclass 600) or another visa before travelling.

Do children pay the full Visitor visa charge?

Home Affairs says each person, including children, applies and pays separately, because family members cannot be included in one application. Budget for one AUD 250 Tourist stream charge per traveller unless the Home Affairs pricing tool shows otherwise for your child.

Do I need to give biometrics for an Australian tourist visa from India?

Only if the Department tells you to. VFS Global operates Australian Biometrics Collection Centres in listed countries, and India was not on that list as of March 2026.