Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is still one of the main post-study visa options for international graduates, but the cost of applying has changed sharply. Home Affairs now increased it to AUD 4,600, and the Post-Higher Education Work stream still gives eligible graduates a stay of 2 to 3 years in most cases, based on qualification.
The primary applicant charge doubled from AU$2,300 to AU$4,600. For many graduates, that means the visa remains valuable, but the margin for error is now much smaller.
The Fee Rise is Now Official
From 1 March 2026, Home Affairs increased the Temporary Graduate visa fee to AUD4,600. A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid application. For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, the official stay period remains usually 2 to 3 years, with longer stay settings for eligible Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.
The primary applicant fee had doubled from AU$2,300 to AU$4,600 and the change was one that hit students with little warning. Temporary Graduate visa allows eligible international students to stay in Australia after study to live, work and study.
What the New 485 Visa Charges Look Like
- The main applicant now pays AU$4,600,
- an additional applicant aged 18 or over pays AU$2,300,
- and an additional applicant under 18 pays AU$1,160.
That means a couple filing together is up for AU$6,900 in government application charges alone, while a couple with one child under 18 reaches AU$8,060 before any other required costs are added.
The headline fee is painful, but the family total is what will hit many graduates hardest. For applicants who were already balancing rent, living costs, student debt, and the first months after graduation, the rise changes the budget overnight.
The Government Charge is only Part of the Bill
Applicants may need to budget for an English test, health examinations, OSHC or OVHC, police clearance certificates, a skills assessment in cases where one is required, and biometrics if applicable. In plain cost terms, the visa charge is now just one part of a larger outlay.
That is why we see this change as more than a fee update. It raises the cost of poor timing, wrong stream selection, weak supporting documents, or leaving the application until the last minute. A 485 application now needs a clean budget plan and a clear post-study visa strategy.
Why this matters Far Beyond One visa
International students brought about AU$50 billion into the Australian economy in the financial year ending in 2025, and that education was Australia’s fourth-largest export sector. In that setting, a major jump in the post-study visa fee sends a message that reaches far beyond current graduates.
The National Union of Students launched a petition calling for the increase to be reversed, while International Education Association of Australia chief executive Phil Honeywood argued the rise was inequitable and risked hurting Australia’s standing with future students. ABC also reported that the Department of Home Affairs said the increase was unlikely to be a barrier for people who want to study or remain in Australia after graduation.
Our take at Stepping Stones Career Solutions
We do not see the subclass 485 visa losing its value overnight. For many graduates, it is still the visa that gives them time in the Australian labour market, local work experience, and a better shot at a skilled visa or employer-sponsored option later on. What has changed is the cost of getting that chance.
That means graduates should treat the 485 application as a serious financial decision from day one. If your budget is tight, every step matters more now: checking the right stream early, lining up English and police documents on time, making sure your health cover is in order, and knowing how the 485 period fits into your longer-term visa plan. The fee rise has made careful preparation more important than ever.
What Graduates Do Next?
First, confirm which 485 stream fits your qualification and timing.
Second, budget for the full filing cost, not just the government charge.
Third, get your supporting documents moving early so the visa does not become a rushed, high-stakes application near expiry.
Those steps were always smart. Now they are essential.
At Stepping Stones Career Solutions, our advice is simple: do not treat the subclass 485 as a routine post-study filing. From 1 March 2026, it has become a much bigger financial call. Getting the first application right now matters more than ever.
Quick answers
AU$4,600 from 1 March 2026.
Yes. Based on the supplied fee breakdown, an additional applicant aged 18 or over pays AU$2,300, and an additional applicant under 18 pays AU$1,160.
Yes. Home Affairs says a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid Temporary Graduate visa application.
Usually 2 to 3 years, depending on qualification.
