Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa fee doubles to $4,600: what changed and what graduates should do next
A sudden price shock for international graduates
From 1 March 2026, the Australian Government increased the visa application charge for key Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa streams.
For most primary applicants in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and Post-Higher Education Work stream, the application charge is now listed by Home Affairs as from AUD $4,600. This is a significant increase from the previous $2,300 charge and has also increased the cost for many applicants who wish to include family members.
The increase has landed at short notice for many international graduates, particularly those whose student visas expire soon after completing their course.
Why the subclass 485 visa still matters
The subclass 485 visa is one of the most important post-study visas for international graduates in Australia.
For eligible graduates, it can provide time to:
work in Australia;
build local experience;
pursue employer sponsorship;
prepare for skilled migration;
improve English scores or skills assessment prospects; and
make a more informed decision about long-term migration options.
However, the doubled application charge changes the cost-benefit analysis. This is especially true for couples and families, and for graduates who planned their Australian pathway based on the visa settings that existed when they commenced study.
Home Affairs also indicates that lower fees may apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders, and applicants should always check the current pricing position at the time of lodgement.
The fee increase did not happen in isolation
The subclass 485 fee increase forms part of a broader tightening of Australia’s student and graduate visa settings.
Two quieter changes are also important.
1. New restrictions on education agent commissions for onshore transfers
The National Code has been amended to prohibit education providers from paying education agent commissions for recruiting overseas students who transfer from another provider after commencing study onshore.
In simple terms, once an international student has commenced study with one provider in Australia, another provider is now restricted from paying an education agent a commission to recruit that student as an onshore transfer.
The Government has framed this as an integrity measure designed to reduce unnecessary “course hopping” and stabilise enrolments. Students may still be able to transfer between providers where the student visa and education rules allow it, but providers and agents now face tighter restrictions around commission payments for onshore transfers.
For students, the practical point is this: changing course or provider is becoming more regulated, more scrutinised, and less commercially attractive for some providers and agents.
2. Some student visa refusal reviews may be decided without an oral hearing
Parliament has also passed changes affecting how the Administrative Review Tribunal deals with certain temporary visa refusal reviews.
The ART has confirmed that the changes will require the Tribunal to determine some temporary visa refusal review matters without holding an oral hearing. The Government has indicated that student visa refusal matters are intended to be the first category affected.
This does not mean every student visa refusal review will automatically fail, and it does not mean applicants have no review rights. However, it does mean that written evidence and written submissions are becoming even more important.
Applicants should not assume they will have a later opportunity to explain weaknesses in their case at a hearing. The written case may need to do much more of the work.
Student visa fees are also higher
The Student subclass 500 visa application charge has also increased substantially in recent years.
This matters because some graduates consider further study as a fallback option after completing their original course. Further study may still be appropriate in some cases, but it should not be treated as an automatic or low-cost “reset” strategy.
A further student visa application needs to be assessed carefully by reference to the applicant’s immigration history, study history, genuine student position, financial capacity, course rationale, and longer-term migration strategy.
Does this mean the subclass 485 visa is no longer worth it?
Not necessarily.
The subclass 485 visa can still be very valuable where it forms part of a realistic migration strategy. The issue is that it should not be treated as a plan in itself.
A graduate visa may be worthwhile where it gives the applicant time to pursue a clear next step, such as:
gaining skilled work experience;
securing employer sponsorship;
improving points-tested migration prospects;
completing a skills assessment pathway;
moving into a regional pathway; or
building evidence for a future visa application.
However, if a graduate has no clear pathway after the 485 visa, the higher fee makes it even more important to assess whether the visa is likely to produce a practical migration benefit.
For some graduates, the increase will simply accelerate a decision they were already facing: whether to pursue employer sponsorship sooner, whether a skilled visa pathway is realistic, whether regional options are available, or whether an offshore strategy is more sensible.
Practical next steps for graduates
If you are approaching course completion or your student visa expiry, timing should be your first priority.
You should confirm:
your course completion date;
your current visa expiry date;
whether you are within the correct lodgement window;
whether you have the required health insurance;
whether you need police checks;
whether English evidence is required;
whether family members can be included; and
whether you have the documents needed to lodge a valid application.
The second priority is pathway planning.
Before spending thousands of dollars on a subclass 485 application, graduates should consider what the visa is meant to achieve. The key question is not simply “Can I apply for a 485 visa?” The better question is:
“If I get this visa, what is the next realistic visa pathway after that?”
That answer will depend on the applicant’s occupation, qualifications, English ability, work experience, age, location, employer prospects, and current migration settings.
FAQ
Which subclass 485 streams are affected by the increased fee?
The main affected streams are the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Home Affairs currently lists the cost for these streams as from AUD $4,600 for most primary applicants.
Applicants should always check the current Home Affairs position and the Visa Pricing Estimator at the time of lodgement.
How much are the fees for partners and children?
For most first-time subclass 485 applicants from 1 March 2026, the government visa application charges are:
Primary applicant: $4,600
Partner or other additional applicant aged 18 or over: $2,300
Child or other additional applicant under 18: $1,160
For example, a graduate applying with a partner would generally pay $6,900 in government visa application charges. A graduate applying with a partner and one child would generally pay $8,060.
Lower charges may apply where the applicant is an eligible Pacific Island or Timor-Leste passport holder, and different charges apply for certain subsequent subclass 485 applications. Applicants should still check the final amount at lodgement, but for ordinary first-time 485 applications these are the figures.
SBS also reported the same secondary applicant charges: $2,300 for adults and $1,160 for applicants under 18. Home Affairs lists the relevant 485 stream charge as from $4,600 and directs applicants to the Visa Pricing Estimator for final charges.
Are there exemptions or lower fees?
Home Affairs indicates that lower fees may apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders. Other limited pricing differences may apply depending on the applicant’s circumstances and stream.
I graduated in late 2025 and my student visa expires in March 2026. What should I do?
You should review your timing immediately.
Do not leave the application until the final days before visa expiry. A subclass 485 application can be document-heavy, and mistakes with timing, evidence, health insurance, police checks, or family member documents can create serious problems.
If your visa is close to expiry, get advice early.
Can I avoid the subclass 485 visa by applying for another student visa onshore?
Not always.
A further student visa may be possible in some cases, but it depends on your current visa, immigration history, study history, course rationale, and whether the application can satisfy the current student visa requirements.
Further study should not be treated as a simple workaround for the higher 485 fee.
Final thoughts
The subclass 485 visa remains an important option for many international graduates, but the higher application charge means graduates need to be more strategic.
For some applicants, the 485 visa will still be a sensible investment. For others, it may be an expensive delay unless there is a realistic pathway beyond it.
The key is to make the decision early, understand the timing, and avoid relying on assumptions about what will be possible after graduation.
If you need assistance navigating Australia’s complex immigration system, we recommend that you reach out to the team at TooRoo Migration Lawyers. We offer honest, strategic advice tailored to your circumstances, with real-world experience and practical outcomes.
Oliver Jones is a solicitor and immigration lawyer based on the Gold Coast. He regularly advises on Australian employer-sponsored and skilled migration law, and writes about Australian and global migration trends.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Visa eligibility and strategy depend on your personal circumstances and the law at the time of decision.
7 May 2026
