In a move that's certainly raised a few eyebrows and ruffled feathers, the Australian government has doubled the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, effective immediately from March 1, 2026. This post-study work visa, popular among international graduates looking to gain valuable Australian work experience after completing their studies, now comes with a heftier price tag of a 100% increase.

Let's break down the changes, the eye-watering cost hikes, the controversial timing, and some broader implications.

Understanding the Subclass 485 Visa and the Recent Changes

The Subclass 485 visa allows recent international graduates to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily after finishing their courses. It comes in streams like the Post-Higher Education Work stream (for those with higher education qualifications) and the Post-Vocational Eudcation Work stream (for vocational qualifications with skills in demand). Until February 29, 2026, applying for this visa was already pricey, but manageable for many.

As of March 1, 2026, the Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026 have kicked in, overhauling the fee structure. The base application fee for the primary applicant has jumped from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600.

This applies to all new applications lodged on or after this date, across both streams. The changes were formalised through a legislative instrument, said to be aligning the VAC for 485 visas with fiscal measures outlined in the 2025–26 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Note: not everyone is hit with the full increase.

Fees differ slightly for subsequent 485 applications, but the major doubling hits first-time applicants hardest.

This tiered structure comes about through a new definition of ‘eligible passport’ being included.

Highlighting the Cost Increases

The fee hike is stark and across the board for most applicants:

• Primary Applicant: From AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600 (100% increase).
• Additional Applicant (18 years and over): From AUD 1,150 to AUD 2,300 (100% increase).
• Additional Applicant (under 18): From AUD 580 to AUD 1,160 (approximately 100% increase).

Obviously, these aren't minor adjustments, and the total cost for families or couples applying together is going to be significantly more. For context, this comes on the heels of smaller incremental rises: the fee was AUD 1,945 at the start of 2025, bumped to AUD 2,235 in February 2025, and then to AUD 2,300 in July 2025. While the cycle of VAC increases around the end of financial year is nothing new in the migration industry, the delta of this change certainly caught the attention of many.

Now, with this recent massive increase, Australia continues as one of the pricier destinations for post-study work opportunities.

The Timing: A Sudden Blow with Little Consultation

The timing couldn't be worse (or more suspicious). Traditionally, visa fee changes align with the financial year, rolling out on July 1 after budget announcements and some public consultation.

This one? The legislative instrument was registered 28 February 2026 (despite showing a date of 19 February 2026) and comes into effect 1 March 2026. Check your calendars: the 28th was a Saturday and the 1st was a Sunday, and it seems to have caught even the professionals off guard, judging by press releases from industry bodies such as the MIA.

This is particularly harsh given that a wave of student visas (Subclass 500) are set to expire around mid-March 2026. Many international students wrap up their courses in February, with visas expiring shortly after. These graduates often rely on the 485 visas as a bridge to skilled migration or further opportunities. Now, they're forced to scramble and apply before the expiry (potentially paying the old fee if lodged pre-March 1, but likely many missed that window) or cough up double if you don’t want to see all that time and money invested in your education go to waste. Some reports of the BPAY system being down during late February may have further compounded these woes.

The lack of consultation has been slammed as unfair, leaving thousands of students, already navigating post-study uncertainties, feeling blindsided and undervalued.

The New Approach to NOM?

Beyond the headlines, this fee surge fits into a pattern of tightening migration controls that has been playing out in Australia over the last few years. It's part of efforts to ‘strengthen the integrity’ of post-study pathways, reduce net migration, and boost government revenue amid fiscal pressures. Of course, the ballooning list of people on so-called temporary visas in Australia is increasingly becoming bad optics for the government.

The ART and student visa reviews: now in the rear-view?

With the Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 (Act No. 3 of 2026) receiving Royal Assent on 9 February 2026, the ART will gain expanded discretion regarding hearings. In the case of student visa hearings, this will mean a mandatory requirement to decide without holding oral hearings.

The international education sector is reeling from cumulative hits: student visa fees jumped to AUD 2,000 in July 2025 (a 25% hike), caps on student numbers, and now this. English-language colleges are collapsing, and universities warn of enrolment drops as competitors like Canada and the UK offer alternatives.

Interestingly, this could accelerate ‘visa-hopping’ bans and agent commission reforms introduced earlier in 2026, pushing more graduates toward permanent residency pathways or departure from Australia, giving up the dream of permanent settlement.

For Western Australia specifically, where international students bolster industries like mining and tech, this might exacerbate skills shortages if fewer graduates stick around. On the flip side, proponents argue higher fees ensure only serious applicants proceed, filtering out those using the student visa system as a backdoor to permanent migration.

Final Thoughts

This doubling of the 485 visa fees is more than a price tag update; it's likely signalling a policy pivot that could reshape Australia's appeal to global talent. While the exemptions for Pacific neighbours make strategic sense for the broader geopolitical agenda, they undeniably create a two-tier system that raises serious fairness questions. The government seems content to handwave these away with a Human Rights Statement in the Explanatory Statement and the reality is they’re likely not facing much pushback on this given the stakes involved concerning legal standing and the relatively low amounts of money (compared to a court challenge at least).

The abrupt timing, especially with mid-March expiries looming, feels like a raw deal for students who are facing a student visa system that seems constantly in flux. If you're an affected graduate, consider consulting a migration agent like West Aussie Migration regarding your options. Australia remains a top study destination, but these changes signal a tougher road ahead for post-grad stays. What do you think, fair play or foul?