In the largest single-day price rise the program has ever seen, the Department of Home Affairs has lifted the base application charge for the Temporary Graduate visa from AU$2,300 to AU$4,600, effective 1 March 2026. The increase was introduced by legislative instrument under the Migration (Fees) Regulation 2024 and applies to every new 485 application lodged on or after that date. (firstmigrationservice.com)
Home Affairs says the 100 per cent jump is designed to “restore integrity” to the post-study work route. Officials believe the 485 visa has become a default stop-gap for graduates with no clear long-term plan. Extra revenue will bankroll the new Genuine Student (GS) assessment, an expanded compliance division and real-time data-matching with the Australian Taxation Office. (firstmigrationservice.com)
The change lands on top of a February 2026 ban on “visa-hopping” between certain temporary subclasses and a 31 March 2026 prohibition on education-agent commissions for on-shore course transfers. Together, the measures form part of the government’s broader target to trim net overseas migration from 538,000 last year to roughly 306,000 in 2025-26. (firstmigrationservice.com)
![Australia doubles Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa fee to AU$4,600]()
Amid these shifting rules, visa-processing services such as VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork, track fee updates in real time and flag alternative visa categories that might suit individual circumstances. Their Australia-focused portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) provides step-by-step guidance and live support, helping graduates and employers stay ahead of future policy tweaks.
For employers, the steeper fee could shrink the pipeline of fresh graduate talent. Universities warn it dents Australia’s competitiveness against Canada and the UK, where comparable post-study permits cost under AU$1,000. Migration agents report a surge of last-minute lodgements on 29 February to lock in the old fee. Graduates now face total up-front costs of AU$6,000-7,700 once police checks, health exams and insurance are factored in. (firstmigrationservice.com)
Practical advice from registered agents is to budget early, front-load English tests and medicals to avoid re-lodgement, and—where possible—explore employer-sponsored 482 visas or direct-to-PR skilled pathways that carry lower government charges. Applicants from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste remain eligible for a reduced fee under existing concessions.
Home Affairs says the 100 per cent jump is designed to “restore integrity” to the post-study work route. Officials believe the 485 visa has become a default stop-gap for graduates with no clear long-term plan. Extra revenue will bankroll the new Genuine Student (GS) assessment, an expanded compliance division and real-time data-matching with the Australian Taxation Office. (firstmigrationservice.com)
The change lands on top of a February 2026 ban on “visa-hopping” between certain temporary subclasses and a 31 March 2026 prohibition on education-agent commissions for on-shore course transfers. Together, the measures form part of the government’s broader target to trim net overseas migration from 538,000 last year to roughly 306,000 in 2025-26. (firstmigrationservice.com)
Amid these shifting rules, visa-processing services such as VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork, track fee updates in real time and flag alternative visa categories that might suit individual circumstances. Their Australia-focused portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) provides step-by-step guidance and live support, helping graduates and employers stay ahead of future policy tweaks.
For employers, the steeper fee could shrink the pipeline of fresh graduate talent. Universities warn it dents Australia’s competitiveness against Canada and the UK, where comparable post-study permits cost under AU$1,000. Migration agents report a surge of last-minute lodgements on 29 February to lock in the old fee. Graduates now face total up-front costs of AU$6,000-7,700 once police checks, health exams and insurance are factored in. (firstmigrationservice.com)
Practical advice from registered agents is to budget early, front-load English tests and medicals to avoid re-lodgement, and—where possible—explore employer-sponsored 482 visas or direct-to-PR skilled pathways that carry lower government charges. Applicants from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste remain eligible for a reduced fee under existing concessions.
