Last Updated: 2nd March 2026
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) has long served as an important post-study pathway for international students wishing to remain in Australia after completing their qualifications. The visa allows graduates to gain local work experience and, in some cases, transition toward skilled migration and permanent residency.
From 1 March 2026, this pathway will become significantly more expensive.
The Australian Government has increased the visa application fee for the Temporary Graduate Visa from AUD $2,300 to AUD $4,600, representing a 100 percent increase. The new fee applies to all applications lodged on or after 1 March 2026.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the fee increase forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the integrity of the post-study work route. The government has indicated that the visa has increasingly been used as an extension mechanism by graduates without clear long-term migration outcomes.
Broader Policy Tightening Across Student and Graduate Visas
The fee increase does not occur in isolation. It forms part of a wider set of regulatory changes affecting international students and post-study visa holders.
Recent measures include:
- Updates to the Genuine Student (GS) assessment framework
- Restrictions on movement between certain temporary visa subclasses (“visa-hopping”)
- Limits on agent commissions related to onshore course changes
These changes reflect a continued policy focus on tightening migration settings and managing net overseas migration levels, particularly within the international education and graduate visa sectors. While these policy adjustments are positioned as necessary for regulatory control, they will likely influence Australia’s competitiveness as a destination for international students and skilled migrants.
As Australia tightens its policies and reduces access for international applicants, other countries have taken different approaches. New Zealand has introduced migration settings designed to attract and retain international talent, while Canada and the United Kingdom continue to position themselves as accessible post-study work destinations.
Over time, rising costs and stricter regulatory settings may influence where prospective students choose to study and pursue long-term migration opportunities.
What This Means for You
With higher costs and stricter assessment standards, applicants will need to be more careful than ever when preparing your Temporary Graduate Visa applications, ensuring that:
- all documents are genuine,
- information is accurate, and
- supporting evidence is complete
to avoid delays or refusals.
If you are unsure or not confident in managing your application, professional guidance can make a significant difference.
Our MARA-registered migration agent has over 15 years of experience handling complex visa applications, including the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). We can help you prepare a strong application and maximise your chances of approval.
Reach out today to discuss your 485 visa application.
