Australia Visa for Nigerians 2026: Visitor, Student and Skilled Visa Fees, Requirements and How to Apply

📌 Quick answer (checked 19 October 2026): Nigerian passport holders cannot use Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), so every trip needs a full visa application lodged online through ImmiAccount. On the Department of Home Affairs pages as read today, the Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) costs from AUD250, the Student visa (subclass 500) costs from AUD2,500, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) costs from AUD6,135, and the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas cost from AUD6,140. Student applicants must show AUD29,710 a year in living costs on top of course fees and travel. A big change: from 2 October 2026, most Student visa applicants can no longer include their partner or children. The Australian High Commission in Abuja does not process visas; biometrics are collected by VFS Global in Nigeria.

Australia’s visa rules are published openly by the Department of Home Affairs, but they change often. In 2026 that included new Student visa rules from 2 October that stop most students bringing family members.

Every fee below was read on the official Home Affairs visa pages on 19 October 2026. Charges are in Australian dollars, so confirm the figure in ImmiAccount or the Visa Pricing Estimator on the day you pay.

How Australian Visas Work for Nigerians

Three facts shape every Nigerian application:

• No ETA or eVisitor shortcut. The Home Affairs ETA (subclass 601) page lists the passports that can apply, including the UK, US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and several European countries. Nigeria is not on that list, so Nigerians apply for a full visa.
• The High Commission does not decide visas. The Australian High Commission in Nigeria states that it “does not process visa or citizenship applications” and that its staff “are unable to assist with visa enquiries”. Applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs and can be processed in any office worldwide. Anyone who claims “embassy connections” is not telling the truth.
• Biometrics through VFS Global. VFS Global describes itself as the contracted service delivery partner for Home Affairs in Nigeria, offering online lodgement help, fee payment and biometric collection. If Home Affairs asks for your biometrics (a facial image and fingerprint scan), you will be contacted and must book an appointment.

Australia Visa Fees for Nigerians (October 2026)

The table shows the main applicant’s base charge on each Home Affairs visa page as read on 19 October 2026. Extra people on the application, health checks, police certificates, biometrics, English tests and skills assessments cost more.

VFS Global charges its own service fees for biometric collection and optional extras. Its Nigeria page posted a “Service Fees Update” on 11 October 2026, so check the current VFS fee on its site before your appointment. VFS also announced on 26 March 2026 that the Australian Biometric Collection Centre in Lagos is relocating; confirm the current address on the VFS “Find a centre” page before you travel to it.

Route 1: Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

Nigerians outside Australia normally use one of three streams.

Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)

Home Affairs says it decides the length of stay “on a case by case basis” and “generally” grants 3 months, with up to 12 months possible in certain circumstances. You cannot stay more than 12 months in total in any 18-month period. To qualify you must:

• meet the health and character requirements (you may be asked for health checks, police certificates and biometrics);
• have, or have access to, enough money to support yourself while in Australia;
• be a genuine visitor who will obey your visa conditions and stay period.

Home Affairs does not publish a fixed minimum bank balance for visitors; it assesses whether your funds cover your stay and whether you are a genuine visitor. Nigerian applicants strengthen a file with consistent bank statements, an employment letter and approved leave (or CAC registration and business records if self-employed), a clear itinerary, and evidence of family and property ties at home.

Work: the Tourist stream page states plainly, “You can’t work in Australia on a Visitor visa”, although some volunteer work may be possible.

Business Visitor stream

This stream allows stays of up to 3 months for activities such as making general business or employment enquiries, negotiating contracts, and taking part in a conference or trade fair.

Sponsored Family stream

A relative in Australia sponsors your visit. Home Affairs says it “might ask your sponsor to pay a security bond”. Check the Sponsor Eligibility tab on the Home Affairs page to confirm who can sponsor you.

Route 2: Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The Student visa is a popular route for Nigerians. It costs from AUD2,500 for the main applicant and lets you stay up to 6 years in line with your enrolment.

The October 2026 rule changes

Home Affairs introduced new Student visa rules from 2 October 2026. Two changes matter most to Nigerians:

1. Family members. Most Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or children. Family members also cannot apply later as “subsequent entrants” in any circumstance. Exemptions include Doctoral (PhD) students (not Master’s by Research), students sponsored by Australia’s Department of Defence or Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and recipients of a foreign government scholarship that fully funds their study. Other exemptions apply to Pacific Island and ASEAN nationals, which do not cover Nigerians.
2. Where you apply. Most applications must now be lodged outside Australia, and most current student visa holders can no longer apply for a further Student visa while in Australia unless they meet one of the listed exemptions.

If you planned to bring your spouse and children while studying a Master’s degree, read the Home Affairs “Changes to Student visa application rules” page before paying any tuition deposit.

What you need

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for every course in your application. An application lodged without a CoE is invalid.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian insurer, starting from the date you arrive.
• Genuine Student (GS) answers. In the online form you answer a set of questions in English, each with a 150-word limit, showing that study is your main reason for going to Australia. Specific, honest answers about your background, chosen course and career plans work better than templates copied from the internet.
• English evidence, if the Document Checklist tool says you need it. Tests must have been taken within the 2 years before you lodge (Regular Evidence level). Home Affairs does not accept tests delivered entirely online at home, such as IELTS Online.
• Health and character checks, and acceptance of the Australian Values Statement.

How much money you must show

If you are asked for evidence of financial capacity, Home Affairs says you need enough for travel, the first 12 months of course fees and 12 months of living costs. Its published figures are:

Acceptable evidence includes money on deposit with a financial institution, government or bank loans, and scholarships. For the income option, Home Affairs wants official government documents such as tax assessments less than 12 months old, and says it will not accept bank statements or direct evidence from an employer.

Worked example

Suppose you are a single Nigerian applicant with a 2-year Master’s degree costing AUD60,000 in total and you have paid a AUD10,000 deposit. Using the Home Affairs method:

• First 12 months of course fees: AUD60,000 ÷ 2 = AUD30,000, less the AUD10,000 paid = AUD20,000
• Living costs: AUD29,710
• Travel (West Africa guide): AUD3,000
• Total to evidence: AUD52,710, plus the AUD2,500 visa charge, OSHC and your English test.

Work rights and after graduation

Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session. Master’s by research and doctoral students have no work limit. After graduating, eligible students can apply in Australia for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). You must be aged 35 or under (exceptions apply) and have held a Student visa in the last 6 months. The Post-Higher Education Work stream usually allows a stay of 2 to 3 years, depending on your qualification. Check the 485 fee on the Home Affairs page when you apply.

Route 3: Skilled Migration (Subclasses 189, 190 and 491)

These points-tested visas share the same basic steps.

Core requirements

• An occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• A suitable skills assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation, obtained within the 3 years before your invitation.
• Be aged under 45 when you are invited.
• Score at least 65 points. Home Affairs warns that your invitation will state the score you must prove, which “may be higher than 65 points”.
• At least competent English at the time of invitation.
• Meet health and character requirements and sign the Australian Values Statement.

How the three visas differ

Step-by-step

1. Get your skills assessment and take an approved English test.
2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. There is no fee, and you can submit it from Nigeria. SkillSelect gives you an indicative points score.
3. Wait for an invitation. Home Affairs says an invitation can come up to 2 years after you submit your EOI. For the 190 and 491, you also need state nomination (or, for the 491, eligible relative sponsorship).
4. Apply within 60 days of the invitation. Home Affairs says it cannot extend this time and will only invite you twice.
5. Complete health checks and police certificates. Home Affairs prefers health checks done before you apply. You will need police certificates as Home Affairs requests them.

Processing priorities

Under Ministerial Direction No. 122, the 190 page as read today showed Home Affairs processing offshore applications not combined with another person’s application that were lodged in or before February 2025, while applications in priority sectors such as healthcare, teaching and construction were being processed if lodged in or before March 2026.

Why Nigerian Applications Get Refused

• Weak financial evidence. Large deposits just before applying, sponsors whose income cannot be verified, or statements that do not match declared earnings.
• Generic Genuine Student answers. Copied or vague answers that could belong to anyone.
• Missing documents. Home Affairs says a decision “may be made at any time after the application is submitted”, so attach everything at lodgement.
• Untranslated documents. The High Commission says non-English documents need endorsed English translations.
• Ignoring the new student rules. Lodging a family application when you do not meet an exemption. Home Affairs warns it will not accept such applications.
• Using fixers. Only use ImmiAccount, VFS Global, or a registered migration agent or legal practitioner if you need help.

Before you lodge: pick your visa with the Home Affairs Visa Finder, check the charge with the Visa Pricing Estimator, upload every document in ImmiAccount, pay online, book VFS biometrics if asked, and track progress in ImmiAccount.

Related reading on NaijaSabi:

• Police Clearance Certificate Nigeria 2026: how to apply
• Canada Study Visa for Nigerians in 2026
• Fully Funded Masters Scholarships for Nigerians 2026
• Countries Nigerian Passport Can Enter Without Visa in 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nigerians get an Australian ETA or visa on arrival?

No. Nigeria is not on the ETA (subclass 601) passport list, so Nigerians apply for a full visa through ImmiAccount before travelling.

How much is the Australian visitor visa for Nigerians?

The Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) costs from AUD250, and the Business Visitor and Sponsored Family streams cost AUD250, according to the Home Affairs pages read on 19 October 2026. VFS service fees are extra.

How much is the Australian student visa fee in 2026?

From AUD2,500 for the main applicant. You must also show living costs of AUD29,710 for 12 months, plus course fees and travel if Home Affairs asks for financial evidence.

Can I take my spouse and children on an Australian student visa?

Since 2 October 2026, most applicants cannot. Exemptions include PhD students, Defence or DFAT-sponsored students, and recipients of a fully funded foreign government scholarship. Family members cannot join later as subsequent entrants.

How many points do I need for Australian skilled migration?

At least 65 to be invited, but the invitation states the score you must prove, which can be higher. Points come from factors such as age, English, skilled employment and qualifications.

How long does an Australian visa take from Nigeria?

Home Affairs publishes indicative times in its Global Visa Processing Times tool, updated monthly. Lodge early, and Home Affairs recommends not making non-refundable travel commitments before a grant.

Sources

1. Department of Home Affairs, “Visitor visa (subclass 600)” and stream pages (Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family), read 19 October 2026
2. Department of Home Affairs, “Subclass 500 Student visa”, including changes from 2 October 2026, read 19 October 2026
3. Department of Home Affairs, “Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)”, “Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa” and “Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)”, read 19 October 2026
4. Australian High Commission in Nigeria, “Visas and citizenship”, read 19 October 2026
5. VFS Global, “Australia visa services in Nigeria” (news of 11 October 2026 and 26 March 2026), read 19 October 2026

This is general information, not migration advice. Visa decisions rest solely with the Department of Home Affairs.

Last updated: 19 October 2026 · NaijaSabi.