Australia Doubles 485 Graduate Visa Fees: What International Students Need to Know in 2026

Australia has raised the application fee of the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) to AUD 4,600 for the primary applicant (Previously AUD 2,300), and the change will take effect on 1 March 2026. The price has been doubled and this has increased the cost of international students who wish to remain and work in Australia upon completion of their studies.

The 485 visa is very popular because it allows graduates to gain work experience in Australia and improve their career opportunities. The sudden fee increase has caused concern for many students planning their next steps after graduation.

What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?

The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) allows international students to stay in Australia temporarily after completing an eligible qualification. This visa gives graduates a chance to work full-time, gain practical experience, and build professional skills.

It also opens doors for long-term options like skilled migration or employer sponsorship. The 485 visa is a significant milestone towards a career in Australia to many.

Main Streams of the 485 Visa

There are two main streams of the 485 visa. Each stream is for a different type of qualification and gives students a chance to gain work experience in Australia.

1. Post-Study Work Stream: For students who finished a higher education degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree). Depending on their qualification, graduates are able to work in Australia for many years.
2. Graduate Work Stream: This is available to students who have undertaken a qualification on the skilled occupation list in Australia. Graduates have shorter time to work in their field and get a good experience.

Both streams assist students to acquire practical skills and investigating possibilities of migration in the future.

New 485 Visa Fees in 2026

The Australian government has doubled the 485 visa fee as part of wider migration reforms. This affects all applications lodged on or after 1 March 2026.

The new costs are:

• Primary applicant: AUD 4,600 (previously AUD 2,300)
• Secondary applicant (partner aged 18+): AUD 2,300
• Dependent child (under 18): AUD 1,160

For example:

• A single applicant pays AUD 4,600.
• A couple pays around AUD 6,900.
• A family of three could pay over AUD 8,000 (excluding health insurance, medical exams, or police checks)

The government says this increase is part of reforms to improve the international education system and migration program.

Who Will Be Affected?

This will affect most of the international students who intend to apply for a 485 visa upon graduation. The higher fee applies to:

• Primary applicants
• Dependent children or partners are included in the application.
• Any applications submitted on or later than 1 March 2026

Students of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste can be offered special agreements regarding reduced fees.

How Students Can Prepare

As the 485 visa fee is rising, students should be prepared to prevent issues or additional expenses. By being ready, it is possible to make the application process less stressful and easier. These are some of the practical steps that can be taken by the students:

• Plan ahead: Do not only think of the visa fee but also the prices of the health insurance, the medical tests, the English tests, and the police checks.
• Check eligibility: To ensure that you are not rejected or incur unnecessary expenses, make sure you check all the requirements of your visa stream.
• Get ready the documents: Have transcripts, English test results, and health insurance records ready before the application.
• Professional assistance: A registered migration agent will be able to assist you, review your application, and minimize the possibility of errors or delays.

Why Professional Help Matters

The visa application process is usually complex, particularly due to the increased charges. Classic Migration is a reputable migration agency in Canberra and assists students:

• Understand visa options
• Make and submit applications properly.
• Be informed on migration regulations.

Professional assistance will make you more likely to succeed and will save time, stress, and money.

Why Choose Classic Migration? 

The process of visa application may be difficult, and in particular, the 2026 485 visa fee rise. In the case of international students, one should ensure that they make a proper and complete application since the visa fee is high and cannot be refunded. Proper planning and mentoring can help to save time, prevent errors, and enhance the probability of a successful result.

Classic Migration, a trusted Migration Agent in Canberra, helps international students understand their visa options and prepare strong applications. Their team offers easy-to-understand advice, visa evaluation, document preparation, and lodging applications, and updates students on migration developments. The visa process is easier when a professional such as Classic Migration is involved, and the students are assured that their application will be successful.

FAQs on Australia Doubles 485 Graduate Visa Fees

What is the new 485 visa fee in 2026?

Since 1 March 2026, the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) application fee rose to AUD 4,600 per the main applicant. This is twice less than the former charge of AUD 2,300. Extra costs are charged in case you add a partner or children to your application.

Why did Australia increase the 485 visa fee?

The Australian government raised the fee as a part of wider migration reforms. This is aimed at enhancing the integrity of the international education and migration system. It is also designed to have a better control of the number of temporary visa applicants.

Can international students still work in Australia with the 485 visa?

Yes, the international graduates are still able to work in Australia under the 485 visa. The visa also enables the graduates to temporary stay and acquire full-time employment experience upon the completion of their studies. The students can also use this experience to investigate the long-term migration in Australia.