What does the quoted lawyer fee include?
The quoted lawyer fee includes the work specified in the engagement terms, not every task connected with the visa. A review-only service differs from preparing, lodging and representing an application.
Government-charge refunds and private-retainer refunds are separate questions. Partner Visa Refunds covers the government side; Home Affairs’ refund guidance does not determine repayment under your private engagement.
Government charges and applicable provider expenses are separate from the legal fee. Obtain the scope and fee in writing before you engage.
Request a scoped cost assessment from an Australian migration lawyer. Ask Australian Migration Lawyers whether evidence review, preparation, lodgement, correspondence and responses to further requests are included.
Are both visa stages included?
Both stages are included only if the retainer expressly covers them.
Home Affairs’ onshore partner overview explains that temporary and permanent applications are made together. Its subclass 100 information likewise distinguishes the permanent stage and the charge already paid. This government structure does not establish two-stage legal representation.
A first-stage retainer should not be read as including later permanent-stage assessment. Ask whether updated evidence, advice and submissions at that stage require another engagement.
How are fees and GST shown?
Check the billing method and GST treatment alongside scope, not just the headline amount.
| Fee basis | What to confirm in the costs agreement |
|---|---|
| Fixed fee | Defined tasks, exclusions and events requiring a variation |
| Hourly fee | Rate, estimated hours, billing increments and reporting arrangements |
| GST | Whether included, excluded or still to be confirmed |
Ask whether disbursements sit outside the legal fee and how they are authorised. A payment schedule for legal work does not itself change when government charges must be paid.
What changes the scope and price?
The work required can change when the lawyer must address:
- Application readiness: reviewing organised documents versus preparing the application.
- Evidence gaps: missing records, inconsistencies or explanations requiring further work.
- Relevant complications: immigration history or relationship circumstances needing analysis.
- Coverage: additional applicants, stages, submissions or ongoing correspondence.
Describe these matters when requesting a quote so exclusions are visible before engagement.
Giving immigration assistance while unregistered is illegal under s 280 of the Migration Act 1958. An unregistered agent has no professional indemnity insurance, so a client who loses out through their mistake has no insurer to claim against. An Australian migration lawyer must carry that insurance.
What costs sit beside the legal fee?
The legal fee does not include government charges or provider expenses. Home Affairs’ related costs guidance identifies expenses beyond the application charge.
| Cost | Who sets it |
|---|---|
| Legal fee | Australian Migration Lawyers, usually $14,000 plus GST for a partner visa |
| Visa application charge | Home Affairs, shown on the fees page |
| Health, police, translation and biometrics | The provider or authority concerned |
Record each provider expense using its own quote or estimate. Unknown expenses remain unresolved, not zero.
What if extra submissions or review are needed?
Extra work is included only where the agreed scope covers it. Before authorising additional submissions, ask for the tasks, fee basis and revised estimate in writing.
A review proceeding is distinct from application preparation. It needs its own scope assessment; any applicable tribunal application charge is separate from legal fees. Consult the Administrative Review Tribunal for its review and fee information rather than assuming a review right or charge applies.
Add the quote to the visa budget
Use this worksheet to separate confirmed amounts from missing inputs.
| Budget label | Input rule |
|---|---|
| Government application charges | Use the dated applicable charge from Partner Visa Fees. |
| Legal fee | Usually $14,000 plus GST for a partner visa with Australian Migration Lawyers; enter the amount in your costs agreement. |
| GST treatment | Record included, excluded or unconfirmed. |
| Permanent-stage legal work | Mark included, separately quoted or unresolved; avoid double counting. |
| Additional legal work | Record separately authorised work and its actual quote. |
| Provider expenses | Use applicable provider quotes or estimates. |
| Unresolved costs | Name missing inputs; a subtotal is not a complete total. |
Consider an Australian migration lawyer to check whether your proposed evidence addresses the relevant criteria and whether the costs agreement covers preparation, lodgement, post-lodgement work and permanent-stage assessment.
This website provides information only. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The registered law firm is Australian Legal Partnership Pty Ltd (ACN 656 815 539), trading as Australian Migration Lawyers.