Moving to a new country can be both an exciting and a daunting experience, especially when it comes to navigating the costs involved. The TSS 482 Visa Class is a popular option for skilled workers looking to move to Australia, but it’s important to know all the 482 Vis costs associated with the process, not just the costs of the visa itself.

This article, will provide an overview of the costs you should consider if you are looking to move to Australia under the 482 Sponsored visa class. For this article, we’ll focus on the 482 Visa costs involved when moving from a non-English speaking country to Australia on a TSS 482 Visa Class, including IELTS tests, assessment centres, moving expenses, flights, and visa costs. With a clear understanding of these expenses, you can plan and budget accordingly, making the transition to your new life in Australia a little easier. When we provide costs in this article, we will use Australian Dollars (AUD), to translate this to your local currency; we’d recommend ‘googling’ a currency converter such as the one available at xe.com

What 482 Visa costs will the employer cover?

So before we start digging into some of the costs, let’s explore some of the 482 visa expenses that a potential Australian employer may cover as part of the migration process. This is important context, as some of these 482 visa costs you’ll find in this article may initially appear quite high and overwhelming, which may not be the case if the employer covers some of the larger sums.

When it comes to the 482 Visa cost, the actual TSS 482 visa, IELTS / English tests, assessment centre fees, and other expenses are typically the applicant’s responsibility. However, some employers may offer to cover some or all of these expenses as part of the employment contract.

The extent to which an employer will cover the 482 Visa costs can vary greatly and is dependent on the specific employer and the circumstances of the job offer. Some employers may cover all expenses related to the visa application, while others may only cover certain expenses or a portion of the overall cost. It’s important, therefore, to discuss the specifics of any offer with your potential employer as part of the interview process and to understand what expenses will be covered before accepting a job offer or beginning the visa application process. In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate the terms of the offer to suit your needs and budget better.

When browsing the sponsored job opportunities on our website, you will find that many employers call out some of the expenses they will cover. Some employers will cover travel, visas, temporary accommodation, or some employers will offer to pay an allowance, say, AUD 10,000 or more, to encourage candidates to apply for the sponsored job opportunity.

As a general rule of thumb, the more in demand a role is (or, the higher the expected salary), the more the employer is generally willing to offer to cover the 482 Visa costs associated with moving to Australia.

Costs involved with a TSS 482 visa

With the employers contributions to one side. Let’s look at the (worst case scenario) where you, as a candidate, have to pay for everything.

So let’s start with the cost of the TSS 482 visa itself. The 482 Visa cost can vary depending on several factors, including the type of visa you’re applying for, the length of your stay, and any additional expenses such as visa processing fees or health examinations.

As of 2023, a TSS 482 visa attracts a base fee of AUD 1,330 for a two-year visa and can go up to around AUD 2,770 for a four-year visa. In addition, there are fees for each additional applicant. The same fees apply to each applicant over 18 years of age. A smaller fee of between AUD 335 and AUD 695 applies to each applicant under 18 years of age. Additionally, other fees may be associated with the visa application process, such as visa processing fees, health examination fees, or police clearance certificate fees.

We’d recommend always checking the latest fees as they tend to change each year. The latest fees can be viewed on the Australian Migration website by clicking here.

Although it’s relatively straightforward to complete the visa application yourself, if you aren’t 100% comfortable, it’s a good idea to work with a trusted visa specialist, migration agent or immigration lawyer who can help guide you through the process and ensure that all of your expenses are accounted for. You can find an agent registered with the Australia department of registration here.  Using an agent registered with the Australian migration department is important as it guarantees they are qualified to give you advice. You may save some money on your 482 Visa costs by using a non-registered agent; however, this could cost you dearly in the long run if your application is declined.

The Cost of IELTS Tests

If you are from a country where English is not the official language, you will need to be able to demonstrate you can speak and write at a competent level of English to support your application to line and work in Australia. See this article to see if you would need to demonstrate your English speaking abilities.  Do you need an English Test For 482 Visa?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most widely recognized and accepted English language proficiency tests for visa purposes, including the TSS 482 visa. However, there are other options available, including:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• PTE (Pearson Test of English)
• OET (Occupational English Test)

It’s important to research and compare the different options to determine which test is best for your needs, as requirements and costs can vary; however, for this article, we’ll focus on IELTS as this is still the most popular and widely recognised English Language Testing System in Australia.

The cost of taking IELTS tests can vary depending on several factors, including where you take the test; however, as a general guide,  IELTS fees range from around AUD 300 to AUD $450. If you’re taking the test in your home country, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of travelling to the test centre and any overnight accommodations that may be required.

Additionally, if you aren’t currently at the right level of English proficiency, you may need to take classes or purchase study materials to prepare for the IELTS tests, which can add to the overall cost.

These preparation expenses vary widely, so shopping around and finding the best options for your needs and budget is important. You can also find a large number of online resources and videos which may help you with your IELTS test, such as these Free IELTS Preparation Videos.

Overall, the cost of IELTS tests and preparation can represent quite a large expense for TSS 482 visa applicants, so it’s important to factor this into your budget from the start.

The Cost of Australian Assessment Centres

Another expense that TSS 482 visa applicants may face is the cost of assessment centres. Not everybody will need to have their skills assessed; however, for some occupations and people from certain countries, having your skills assessed is a condition of your visa approval.

Assessment centres are used to evaluate a visa applicant’s skills and qualifications and the cost of assessment centres can vary depending on the occupation and the location of the centre itself.

Typically, you can expect fees between AUD 500 to AUD 2,500 or more.

Check out our skills assessment article for more details!

We have a very detailed article that provides further information about the 482 Visa Assessment process, which you can view here: A guide to the Australia Skills Assessment. This article includes further information about the occupations that must be assessed when applying for an Australian 482 Sponsored Visa.

It’s important to note that the cost of assessment centres may include additional expenses, such as transportation to and from the centre, overnight accommodations if necessary, and any fees for rescheduling or additional testing. When planning for the cost of assessment centres, it’s important to do your research and understand what fees are required for your particular occupation. This will help you budget accurately and avoid any unexpected expenses along the way.

The Cost of Moving Your Goods To Australia

Now, onto moving itself. Moving from one country to another can be a significant expense, and this is no exception for TSS 482 visa holders.

When moving to Australia, you’ll need to factor in the cost of packing and shipping your belongings, storage fees if necessary, and setting up a new home in your new country. As you’ll be moving from a country with a different currency, you will likely need to convert some of your money into Australian dollars, which may attract fees.

The cost of packing and shipping your belongings can vary widely depending on the number of belongings you have and the distance they’re being shipped. It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from different shipping companies to find the best option for your budget as a general indication. The cost of moving from the UK to Australia will set you back from AUD 1500 for a small number of items to as much as AUD 20,000 if you were to ship all of the contents of a four bedroom house and your car to Australia.

Generally speaking, the closer to Australia you live geographically, the cheaper it will be to ship your goods.

Setting up a new home in Australia can also be expensive, with costs such as rent, utility deposits, and new furniture or household items to consider.

When planning for these expenses, it’s important to do your research and find the best options for your budget. Consider renting items in Australia or finding a furnished home as an example.

The Cost of Flights To Australia

When moving to Australia, one of the largest expenses you’ll face is the cost of flights. The cost of flights can vary widely depending on the country you are flying from, the time of year, and the airline you choose.

Given that the costs of flights change daily, we won’t get into specifics here as the range could be anything from $250 to $5000 per person; however, it’s safe to say to save on the cost of flights, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare prices from different airlines.

You may also be able to save money by booking your flights well in advance or by being flexible with your travel dates and times. Also, consider any additional expenses associated with flying, such as baggage fees, travel insurance, and visas. These expenses can add up quickly, so it’s important to factor them into your budget and plan accordingly.

Overall, the cost of flights can be a large expense for TSS 482 visa holders and their families, so it’s important to budget accordingly and plan ahead. With careful planning and research, you can find the best options for your budget and make your move to Australia a little bit easier.

How Much Does It Really Cost To Move To Australia?

Let s now pull all this together and look at your overall 482 Visa costs based on a couple of scenarios.

Scenario 1:

• You don’t need to take an IELTS test as you come from an English speaking country.
• You are moving to Australia to undertake an occupation where you do not have to have your skills assessed.
• You only intend to take the minimum provisions with you (perhaps cloths and some small furnishings).
• You live in a country relatively close to Australia or get a good deal which means the costs of flights aren’t going to be expensive (say AUD 1000)

Your 482 Visa costs in this scenario would be in the region of AUD 3800.

Scenario 2:

On the other hand.

• You need to take an IELTS test
• You need to have your skills assessed.
• You want to bring yourself, your partner and two children under the age of 18 with you (visa costs for each)
• You want to bring the contents of a large four bedroom house and your car to Australia with you.
• You need flights for four people (at the high end of $4500 per person).

Your 482 Visa costs in this scenario would be at a figure closer to AUD 50,000!

The latter number can be a very scary reality; however, remember that your Australian employer may be willing to cover a large portion (or in sone instances, all) of these costs, so speak to them to understand what kind of investment they are willing to make to help move you to Australia.

Conclusion:

Moving to Australia on a TSS 482 visa can be expensive, with costs including IELTS tests, assessment centre fees, moving expenses, flights, and the cost of the visa itself. However, as we mentioned in this article, your circumstances will influence the need to pay some of these costs (e.g. IELTS and assessment centres), and the Australian employer who is looking to sponsor you may be willing to cover some or all of these expenses.

It’s important to plan and budget accordingly to avoid unexpected expenses. When researching these costs, it’s a good idea to compare prices from multiple sources, book well in advance, and work with a trusted migration agent, visa specialist or immigration lawyer if you don’t feel comfortable processing the 482 Visa Application yourself.

Considering all these 482 Visa costs and budgeting accordingly, you can make your move to Australia a smoother and more manageable experience.

Also, please remember that the cost information provided in this article is intended to be a general guide only and should not be relied upon as a definitive estimate. Moving to a new country like Australia involves many variables beyond just the 482 visa costs and can be complex. The actual costs may vary greatly depending on your individual circumstances. We strongly recommend seeking professional advice from a licensed immigration agent or financial advisor to get a more accurate estimate for your specific situation.

Did you find these 482 Visa costs less or more expensive than you originally thought?

Were these numbers in the ballpark, or are these costs much more than you initially expected? We would love to hear your thoughts, so hit us up in the comments below and share your views with other 482 Visa Job Seekers.