International graduates hoping to stay and work in Australia will now need a much larger budget. On 5 March 2026 the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the base Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) jumped from AU$2,300 to AU$4,600 for new applications lodged on or after 1 March 2026. Fees for secondary applicants have also doubled. The dramatic rise forms part of amendments to the Migration (Fees) Regulation 2024 designed to “restore integrity” to the post-study work route. Officials say additional revenue will fund a new Genuine Student (GS) integrity test, expand compliance teams and enable real-time data-matching with the Australian Taxation Office.
![Graduate Visa Fee Doubles to AU$4,600 as Australia Tightens Post-Study Pathway]()
If you’re unsure how the new pricing or integrity rules affect your plans, VisaHQ can guide both graduates and employers through every step—from assessing eligibility to assembling documents and lodging 485 or alternative visa applications. Their Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers fee calculators, real-time updates and expert support, helping applicants avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence.
The changes come as the Government seeks to cut net overseas migration from last year’s record 538,000 to around 306,000 in 2025-26. Universities and large employers fear the hike will make Australia less competitive than Canada or the UK, where comparable post-study permits cost under AU$1,000. Several institutions reported a rush of last-minute 485 applications in late February as international students tried to lodge before the higher fee took effect. HR teams are already reassessing graduate-hire budgets and exploring employer-sponsored alternatives such as the subclass 482 visa. For mobility managers the immediate priority is communication: make sure graduating cohorts know the new costs, update relocation cost projections, and consider bridging strategies (for example, short-term 400 visas) if young talent postpones 485 applications. Employers with regional operations may still benefit from fee concessions available to Pacific Island nationals and Timor-Leste citizens. Migration advisers expect the higher price tag to reduce overall demand but say well-prepared applicants—especially those moving straight into skilled-visa pathways—will continue to view the 485 as a valuable springboard to permanent residency.
If you’re unsure how the new pricing or integrity rules affect your plans, VisaHQ can guide both graduates and employers through every step—from assessing eligibility to assembling documents and lodging 485 or alternative visa applications. Their Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers fee calculators, real-time updates and expert support, helping applicants avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence.
The changes come as the Government seeks to cut net overseas migration from last year’s record 538,000 to around 306,000 in 2025-26. Universities and large employers fear the hike will make Australia less competitive than Canada or the UK, where comparable post-study permits cost under AU$1,000. Several institutions reported a rush of last-minute 485 applications in late February as international students tried to lodge before the higher fee took effect. HR teams are already reassessing graduate-hire budgets and exploring employer-sponsored alternatives such as the subclass 482 visa. For mobility managers the immediate priority is communication: make sure graduating cohorts know the new costs, update relocation cost projections, and consider bridging strategies (for example, short-term 400 visas) if young talent postpones 485 applications. Employers with regional operations may still benefit from fee concessions available to Pacific Island nationals and Timor-Leste citizens. Migration advisers expect the higher price tag to reduce overall demand but say well-prepared applicants—especially those moving straight into skilled-visa pathways—will continue to view the 485 as a valuable springboard to permanent residency.
