482 Visa Fees & Costs
Every cost in the 482 process — mandatory government charges, the SAF levy, worker preparation costs, and real budget examples for typical trade placements.
A note on visa guidance: RecruitUp Global is a recruitment agency, not a migration agent. All content on this site is for general educational purposes only. For immigration advice or to lodge a visa application, consult a MARA-registered migration agent. RecruitUp specialises in finding and placing qualified South African tradespeople with Australian employers who are ready to sponsor — we handle the recruitment side, not the visa lodgement.
Who Pays What
The cost structure is divided between the employer and the worker — with a strict legal prohibition on passing certain costs across the line.
Employer pays
Skills and Training (SAF) levy
Nomination application charge
Sponsorship application charge (if new)
Migration agent fees
Recruitment agency fees
Worker pays
Visa application charge
Skills assessment (TRA)
English language test
Medical examination
Police clearance certificate
Legally prohibited
Employer passing SAF levy to worker
Employer recovering nomination charge via deductions
Any indirect mechanism that transfers these costs
Skills & Training (SAF) Levy
The SAF levy is the largest government charge for most employers. It is paid upfront at nomination and funds Australian apprenticeship and workforce training programmes. It is non-refundable.
The levy rate depends on your annual business turnover and the length of the visa period being nominated. It is calculated on the period nominated, not the period ultimately granted.
The most common employer surprise: The SAF levy is paid in full upfront and is not refunded if the worker leaves the role before the visa expires.
<$10M turnoverLarge Business
≥$10M turnover
Visa Application Charges
The worker pays a visa application charge (VAC) when lodging their visa application. Charges apply to the primary applicant and separately to each secondary applicant included.
Figures reflect the Skills in Demand visa charge schedule current as of 1 July 2026 and are indexed annually. Always verify current amounts at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
Worker Preparation Costs
Before the visa application is lodged, a South African tradesperson typically incurs several preparation costs. These are not government visa charges — they are the cost of getting ready to apply.
The TRA skills assessment is typically the highest-cost and longest-lead item. We encourage candidates to begin their TRA assessment early — before an employer is in the picture — to avoid it becoming a bottleneck.
Budget Illustrations
Illustrative total government charges for typical trade placements. Does not include migration agent fees, recruitment fees, or relocation support.
Example 1
Small construction company (<$10M), sponsoring an electrician for 4 years, no dependants
Example 2
Large mining contractor (≥$10M), sponsoring a boilermaker for 2 years, with partner and one child
Figures current as of 1 July 2026. Visa charges are indexed annually — verify current amounts on the official Department of Home Affairs pricing page before budgeting.
Common Questions
Can the employer pass the SAF levy cost to the worker?
Is the SAF levy refunded if the worker leaves or the visa is refused?
Does the employer have to cover the worker's visa application charge?
Are migration agent fees included in the government charges?
Related 482 Visa Guides
← Back to 482 Visa Hub482 Visa Requirements
Full eligibility criteria for employers and workers.
Read guide →482 Visa Processing Time
How long each stage takes and what affects your timeline.
Read guide →482 Occupation List (Trades)
Which trades are on the CSOL and their ANZSCO codes.
Read guide →482 Visa to Permanent Residency
The 482 to 186 ENS permanent residency pathway.
Read guide →English Language Requirements
Accepted tests, minimum scores, and exemptions.
Read guide →482 Visa Hub
Complete overview of Australia's Skills in Demand visa.
Read guide →