Australia Visa Fees from Dubai: All Costs Explained

The visa application charge (VAC) is the official government fee paid to the Australian Department of Home Affairs. It varies depending on which visa type you apply for — and which type you can apply for is determined by your passport nationality, not your UAE residency.

A health examination may be required for some Subclass 600 applicants — for stays of six months or more, or if the Department requests one after you lodge (Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals are treated as higher-TB-risk, but a short tourist visit under six months usually does not need one). When required, it is an additional cost on top of the visa application charge and must be completed with an approved panel physician in Dubai.

You will only be asked to undergo a health examination after lodging your application, when ImmiAccount issues a notification with a HAP (Health Assessment Portal) ID. Do not pay for a health exam before receiving this notification — requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis after lodgement.

Here are realistic total cost scenarios for common Dubai resident profiles applying for an Australia visa.

These costs are only the visa-related expenses. Budget separately for flights (return to Australia from Dubai: AED 3,000–7,000), accommodation, travel insurance, daily expenses, and activities.

The Australia visa application charge (VAC) of AUD 250 is non-refundable. This is a firm policy with very limited exceptions.

The Australia visa application charge is paid online through ImmiAccount at the time of lodging your application. No cash payments are accepted — only electronic payments through the secure payment gateway.

• Accepted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal are generally accepted through ImmiAccount.
• Currency: The fee is charged in Australian Dollars (AUD). Your bank will convert at the prevailing exchange rate — this may vary slightly from the AED equivalent stated in this guide.
• International card charges: Some UAE banks charge international transaction fees (1–3%) on AUD payments. Check with your bank.
• Payment timing: You pay at the time of lodgement — there is no option to pay later. Ensure your payment card has sufficient credit before starting your application session.
• Payment confirmation: Keep a screenshot or PDF of your payment confirmation. This is your proof of fee payment if any queries arise.

Beyond the visa fee and health exam, there are a few additional costs to be aware of when applying for an Australia visa from Dubai.

• Document translation — if any of your documents are in Arabic or another language, certified English translations are required. Budget AED 50–150 per document for certified translation services.
• Biometrics — Australia does not currently require biometrics for tourist visa applications lodged in the UAE. This may change, so check at the time of application.
• Courier fees — if any physical documents need to be sent (rare for online applications), budget for courier costs.
• Professional assistance — using a visa consultancy like OraVisa for document preparation, GTE narrative drafting, and application submission adds professional fees but significantly reduces the risk of costly refusals.
• Travel insurance — not mandatory for lodgement but strongly recommended and sometimes required by tour operators or accommodation providers. Budget AED 150–400 for comprehensive travel insurance for an Australia trip.
• Reciprocal health agreement — Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with some countries. Residents of the UAE generally should not rely on this and should purchase private travel insurance.