Subclass 485 visa application charge doubles: Temporary Graduate visa now costs $4,600 as per 1 March 2026
On 1 March 2026, the Australian Government abruptly increased visa application charges payable for the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa from AUD$2,300 to AUD$4,600, resulting in the Subclass 485 visa application charge doubling overnight.
Background to the increase in Subclass 485 visa application charges
The 1 March 2026 increase to the Subclass 485 visa application charge follows several other fee increases in recent years:
Prior to February 2025, the Subclass 485 visa application charge was AUD$1,945.
On 1 February 2025, the Subclass 485 visa application charge was increased to AUD$2,235.
On 1 July 2025, routine indexation resulted in an increase to the Subclass 485 visa application charge to AUD$2,300.
On 1 March 2026, the application charge increased to AUD$4,600.
Subclass 485 visa mistakes are now more expensive than ever
Visa application charges are generally non-refundable, even if the application is refused or withdrawn. With the Subclass 485 visa application charge now sitting at AUD$4,600, making a mistake in your Subclass 485 visa application can quickly become very costly, especially if this leads to the potential refusal of your Subclass 485 visa application.
If your Subclass 485 visa application is refused or withdrawn, you may find yourself needing to:
lodge another Subclass 485 visa application and pay the application charge again, or
apply for merits review (i.e. “appeal” the refusal decision) at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which involves additional fees of AUD$3,580.
This means that on top of the stress and uncertainty that often comes with contentious immigration matters, a mistake in your application could now potentially cost you thousands of dollars more.
Common Subclass 485 visa mistakes to avoid
Common Subclass 485 visa mistakes which may result in the invalidity or refusal of a Subclass 485 visa application include:
Mistake 1: Applying outside Australia when the visa requires you to apply onshore
Mistake 2: Lodging the visa more than six months after completing your course
Mistake 3: Applying on the same day you apply for your police clearance certificate
Mistake 4: Applying on the same day you undertook any relevant English language test or not undertaking an English language test where required
Mistake 5: Re-applying for a Subclass 485 visa while holding a Bridging visa, after being refused a visa in Australia
Mistake 6: Misunderstanding whether you meet the Australian Study Requirement
Mistake 7: Applying in the wrong stream of the Subclass 485 visa
These mistakes can sometimes lead to the refusal of your Subclass 485 visa application or in the invalidity of your Subclass 485 visa application, both of which can be extremely expensive to resolve.
Check out our Subclass 485 Visa Guides
Our immigration law practice has put together a number of Subclass 485 Visa Guides to provide you with general assistance with your Subclass 485 visa application:
Mistakes to avoid with your Subclass 485 visa application
https://www.inclusivemigration.com.au/freeguides/mistakes-people-commonly-make-with-their-subclass-485-visa-application
Subclass 485 visa: Do you meet the Australian Study Requirement?
https://www.inclusivemigration.com.au/freeguides/subclass-485-visa-do-you-meet-the-australian-study-requirement
Want to know more?
Our immigration lawyers at Inclusive Migration have extensive experience in advising prospective migrants to Australia about their employer-sponsored, skilled migration and family migration options in Australia.
To speak to our immigration lawyers about your eligibility for a Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa, or about your employer-sponsored, skilled migration and family migration options in Australia, please email info@inclusivemigration.com.au, submit an enquiry using the contact form on our website or send us a message via WhatsApp at +61 490 704 775.
