485 Visa Fee Doubles to $4,600: What International Graduates Must Know (March 2026)

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What Changed on 1 March 2026?

The base application charge (BAC) for the subclass 485 visa has been increased through a legislative instrument under the Migration (Fees) Regulation 2024. This applies to all 485 applications lodged on or after 1 March 2026.

Component	Before 1 March 2026	From 1 March 2026	Change
Primary applicant	$2,300	$4,600	+100%
Subsequent applicant (18+)	$1,160	$2,320	+100%
Subsequent applicant (under 18)	$580	$1,160	+100%

WARNING

This is NOT a gradual indexation. Previous fee increases were modest (e.g., $1,945 → $2,235 in Feb 2025, then $2,235 → $2,300 in Jul 2025). This is a 100% jump in one day.

Who Is Exempt?

Eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste continue to benefit from a lower application fee. All other nationalities pay the full $4,600.

The Fee In Context: Total Cost of a 485 Visa

The application fee is only part of the picture. Here's what a typical 485 applicant spends:

Cost Component	Estimated Amount
485 visa application fee	$4,600
Overseas Student Health Cover (OVHC)	$600-$1,200/year
English language test (IELTS/PTE/OET)	$300-$450
Skills assessment (Graduate Work stream)	$300-$900
AFP police check	$42
Medical examination	$350-$500
Total (excluding living costs)	$6,200-$7,700+

TIP

If you're a couple applying together, the combined visa fees alone are now $6,920 ($4,600 + $2,320). Factor this into your budget before graduation.

What Is the 485 Visa? A Quick Refresher

The subclass 485 allows international students who have completed an eligible Australian qualification to stay and work full-time in any occupation after graduation. It acts as a bridge between study and skilled migration.

Streams and Durations (Updated Names)

Stream	New Name (2026)	Duration	Key Requirement
~~Graduate Work~~	Post-Vocational Education Work	Up to 18 months	Diploma/trade qualification + skills assessment for an occupation on the MLTSSL
~~Post-Study Work~~	Post-Higher Education Work	2 years (Bachelor/Master coursework), 3 years (Master research/PhD)	Higher education degree - no occupation list requirement
Second PSW	Second Post-Higher Education Work	1-2 years extension	Previous 485 + study/residence in a designated regional area

Eligibility Snapshot

Age: Under 35 at time of application (under 50 for Master by research or PhD graduates)
English: IELTS 6.5 overall / 5.5 each (or equivalent PTE, OET, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge)
Australian study: At least 2 academic years (92 weeks) in a CRICOS-registered course
Student visa: Must have held a subclass 500 in the past 6 months
Location: Must be in Australia when applying

Use our free ANZSCO occupation search tool to check if your qualification matches a listed occupation for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. If you're still on a student visa, our student visa cost calculator can help you plan finances.

NOTE

All fees quoted in this article are current as of 1 March 2026 and are subject to change. The next fee adjustment is expected on 1 July 2026. Always verify fees on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Why Did the Fee Increase?

The Australian Government has stated the increase is part of a broader strategy to:

Reduce reliance on the 485 as a "default" visa - discouraging graduates from treating the 485 as an automatic next step without a genuine transition plan
Fund integrity measures - supporting stronger Genuine Student (GS) assessments and compliance checks
Align with immigration program settings - the 2025-26 Migration Program aims to reduce net overseas migration from 538,000 (2022-23 peak) to approximately 306,000

The fee increase sits alongside other recent tightening measures:

Stricter Genuine Student (GS) test requirements
Removal of the 2-year automatic extension for select qualifications (from July 2025)
Ban on education agent commissions for onshore course transfers (from 31 March 2026)
Visa hopping restrictions limiting switching between temporary visa types (from 2 February 2026)

What Should You Do Now?

If You're Graduating Soon

IMPORTANT

Applications lodged before 1 March 2026 are charged at the old rate ($2,300), even if the decision is made after that date. If you've already lodged - you're fine.

For those yet to apply:

Don't panic, but don't delay. The 485 remains a legitimate pathway. Budget for the new fee.
Check your eligibility carefully. Meeting all criteria on the first application avoids paying $4,600 twice.
Consider your English test early. You need a valid score at the time of lodgement. An expired test means you'll need to pay for a retake plus potentially lodge later at higher fees. Compare the best English test for your profile.

If You're Reconsidering Whether the 485 Is Worth It

At $4,600, the 485 is now a significant investment. It's worth considering alternatives:

Alternative	When It Works	Key Advantage
Direct 189/190/491	You have 65+ points and a positive skills assessment	Permanent residency - skip the temporary stage entirely
Employer sponsorship (482/SID)	An employer is willing to sponsor you	Employer pays SAF levy; you pay a lower visa fee (~$1,730)
Partner visa (820/801)	You're in a genuine relationship with an Australian PR/citizen	Full work rights while waiting
State nomination (190/491)	Your state values your occupation	+5 or +15 bonus points; invitation-based

Use our points calculator to check if you have enough points for direct skilled migration - you might not need the 485 at all.

If You're a Current 485 Holder

This fee change does not affect you. Your current visa remains valid. However, if you're planning to apply for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream to extend, note that fees for that stream may also increase.

Regional Graduates: A Silver Lining

If you studied in a designated regional area (outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane), you may be eligible for:

Second Post-Higher Education Work visa (1-2 years extension)
Additional points for the skilled migration points test (5 points for regional study)
Easier state nomination pathways in states like SA, Tasmania, and regional NSW

Regional study and work experience continues to be rewarded by the migration system, even as 485 fees rise.

Processing Times

Despite the fee increase, processing times remain relatively fast:

Stream	50% of applications	90% of applications
Post-Higher Education Work	~8 days	~83 days
Post-Vocational Education Work	~46 days	~4 months

TIP

These are median processing times as of early 2026. Applying with a complete, well-prepared application (correct English test, valid police check, health exam pre-completed) can help you fall into the faster cohort.

Timeline: The Fee Journey

Date	Fee (Primary Applicant)	Change
Before Feb 2025	$1,945	-
1 Feb 2025	$2,235	+$290
1 Jul 2025	$2,300	+$65
1 Mar 2026	$4,600	+$2,300 (+100%)

Next Steps: Book a Strategy Session

With the 485 costing $4,600, it's more important than ever to make sure you're on the right pathway. Don't spend $4,600 on a temporary visa if you could be applying for permanent residency instead.

Not sure which pathway is right for you? Book a free initial assessment with our registered migration agents. We'll review your qualifications, points, and options - and tell you honestly whether the 485 is your best move or if there's a faster, cheaper route to PR.