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If you are planning to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after finishing your studies in Australia, there is an important update you should know.
From 1 March 2026, the Australian Government increased the visa application fee for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa. The change applies to all applications lodged on or after this date.
The exact amount you'll pay depends on your situation, including your passport and whether you already hold a 485 visa.
Scenario 1: If you are applying for the 485 visa for the first time.
If you have just finished your studies and are moving from a student visa to a 485 visa, this is the fee you will most likely pay.
Visa application charge
Applicant type | Application fee |
|---|---|
Primary applicant | AUD $4,600 |
Additional adult applicant | AUD $2,300 |
Child (under 18) | AUD $1,160 |
Most international students moving from a Student visa (subclass 500) to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) will pay this amount.
Scenario 2: If you already hold a 485 visa and have an eligble passport.
A lower visa fee may apply if:
You are applying for the 485 visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
You already hold a 485 visa in this stream.
You have a passport from an eligible Pacific country or Timor-Leste.
Visa application charge
Applicant type | Application fee |
|---|---|
Primary applicant | AUD $905 |
Additional adult applicant | AUD $455 |
Child (under 18) | AUD $230 |
This fee may also apply if you are included in the application of someone in this category or if you are applying as their family member.
Scenario 3: If you already hold a 485 visa but do not have an eligible passport.
This applies to you if:
You are applying for the 485 visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
You already hold a 485 visa in this stream.
You do not have a passport from an eligible Pacific country or Timor-Leste.
Visa application charge
Applicant type | Application fee |
|---|---|
Primary applicant | AUD $1,810 |
Additional adult applicant | AUD $910 |
Child (under 18) | AUD $460 |
This fee may also apply to family members included in the same visa application.
How the 485 visa fee increase may affect student decisions
Our MARA agent, Helen Shang, says the higher 485 visa fee may encourage more students to plan their next move earlier and look more carefully at the visa pathways available to them.
"This may include employer-sponsored visas, skilled migration options, or further study, depending on their long-term goals. With costs now much higher, getting clear advice early can help you understand which pathway fits your situation and what steps you can take now to stay prepared." - Liping Helen Shan (MARN 0961842)
Unsure how this price fee increase affects your plans? Or do you need help planning a 485 visa application to avoid costly mistakes? Don't hesitate to talk to our migration experts.
Do you want to work in Australia after graduating?
Congratulations! If you're graduating soon or have just graduated, you might be wondering what’s next for you. Want to gain work experience and develop your skills? You can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). It’s important to note that the 485 visa has three different streams:
Post-Vocational Education Work stream
Post-Higher Education Work stream
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
Each stream has different eligibility rules, stay periods and fees. For example, application charges have increased in recent years, and stay length depends on your qualification level or regional study history.
To help you understand your options, below is a clear overview of each stream, including stay periods, costs, processing times, eligibility requirements and English language requirements.
Book IELTS for migration
Post-Vocational Education Work stream
Overview
The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is for international students who have completed a vocational qualification in Australia that is linked to an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
This visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia temporarily after graduation.
You can include your family members in your application.
Stay
Stay period: Up to 18 months
Work rights: Full-time work rights
You can travel outside Australia and return while the visa is valid.
Cost and processing time
Visa application fee: AUD 4,600 (increased from AUD 2,300)
Processing time:
About 50% of applications are processed in around 46 days. About 90% are finalised within 4 months.
These are general estimates only. Processing times may take longer if documents are missing or during busy periods.
For the most up-to-date estimate, use the official visa processing time guide on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Eligibility criteria
To apply for this stream, you must:
Be 35 years old or younger when you apply
Hold an eligible visa
Have held a Student visa in the last 6 months
Have completed a CRICOS-registered vocational qualification
Nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
Obtain (or apply for) a skills assessment in your nominated occupation
Meet health and character requirements
Meet the English language requirement
IELTS requirement
For IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training taken on or after 7 August 2025, you must achieve:
Overall score: 6.5
Minimum 5.5 in each band:
Listening: 5.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 5.5
Speaking: 5.5
Your IELTS test must be taken within 12 months before lodging your application.
IELTS results with One Skill Retake (OSR) are accepted, provided the retake is completed before visa lodgement.
Post-Higher Education Work stream
Overview
The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for international students who have recently completed an eligible higher education degree in Australia, which can be any of the following:
Bachelor degree
Bachelor's honours degree
Master's (coursework) degree
Master's (extended) degree
Master's (research) degree
Doctoral degree (research)
Doctoral degree (professional)
Higher doctoral degree.
Important: How your qualification is assessed
For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, not all postgraduate qualifications are treated the same.
Graduate Certificates are not accepted as a recognised “degree” for this stream.
Graduate Diplomas may be eligible, but only if they:
Are directly related to your completed bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD qualification, and
Were started in the same academic year, or the following academic year, after completing that degree.
This means the timing and relevance of your qualification matter when assessing your 485 eligibility.
Read our full guide on the December 2024 485 visa changes and know how “degree” is defined for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Stay
Stay period: Usually 2 to 3 years, depending on your qualification level
Work rights: Full-time work rights
Skills assessment: Not required
The exact stay period depends on whether you completed a Bachelor's degree, Master’s degree or PhD.
You can travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid. Time spent outside Australia does not extend your visa.
Cost and processing time
Visa application fee: AUD 4,600 (increased from AUD 2,300)
Processing time:
About 50% of applications are processed in around 8 days. About 90% are finalised within approximately 83 days.
These are guide timeframes only. Processing can vary depending on your circumstances and the completeness of your application.
Always check the official processing time tool before applying.
Eligibility criteria
To apply for this stream, you must:
Be 35 years of age or under at the time of application.
You can be under 50 years old when you apply if you are using a Master’s by research or a PhD to meet the study requirement, or you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
Hold an eligible visa
Have held a Student visa in the last 6 months
Have completed an eligible CRICOS-registered higher education qualification
Meet the Australian study requirement
Meet health and character requirements
Meet the English language requirement
IELTS requirement
For IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training taken on or after 7 August 2025, you must achieve:
Overall score: 6.5
Minimum 5.5 in each band:
Listening: 5.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 5.5
Speaking: 5.5
Your IELTS test must be taken within 12 months before lodging your application.
IELTS results with One Skill Retake (OSR) are accepted, provided the retake is completed before visa lodgement.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
Overview
The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is for graduates who previously held a Post-Higher Education Work stream visa and studied in a designated regional area.
It allows eligible graduates to continue living, working and studying in Australia temporarily.
Eligible dependents can be included in the application.
Stay
Stay period: 1 to 2 additional years, depending on regional location
Work rights: Full-time work rights
Regional requirement: You must live and work in a designated regional area
You cannot extend this visa further. You can travel outside Australia and return while the visa is valid.
Cost and processing time
Visa application fee: AUD 1,800 (increased from AUD 905)
Additional costs may apply for health checks and police certificates
Processing times vary depending on individual circumstances and demand.
For the most accurate and updated estimate, use the Department of Home Affairs visa processing time guide.
Eligibility criteria
To apply for this stream, you must:
Hold the right 485 visa
You must:
Have been granted your first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work or former Post-Study Work stream, or
Hold a Replacement stream visa based on that first visa.
You must still hold a valid first 485 visa when you apply.
You must be in Australia when you lodge your application.
Have studied in a designated regional area
Your degree must have:
Been completed at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution.
Been studied at a campus located in a designated regional area.
If you studied in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane (major city campuses), you are not eligible.
Have lived in a designated regional area
You must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying.
Regional areas are divided into:
Category 2 – Cities and Major Regional Centres
Category 3 – Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas
Your visa length depends on where you studied and lived:
Category 2 → usually 1 extra year
Category 3 → usually 2 extra years
Tasmania (Category 2 or 3 postcodes) → may receive 2 extra years
Short holidays or brief work trips outside your usual residence do not affect your eligibility.
IELTS requirement
You are not required to meet the English requirement again for this stream.
Your English was already assessed when you were granted your first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education or Post-Study Work stream.
Always confirm the latest requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying, as requirements can change.
With higher 485 fees, preparation matters more than ever
The 485 visa application fee has increased significantly on 1 March 2026.
That means planning your application carefully is now more important than ever.
One of the key steps in preparing a strong 485 visa application is making sure your English test meets the required score and timing rules.
If you miss just one band score, you risk delay or reapplying under higher visa costs.
Fortunately, IELTS helps you get your target score the first time.
How IELTS helps you strengthen your 485 visa application
Applying for the 485 visa is already expensive.
With higher visa fees, you want to make sure every step is done properly, especially the ones you can control.
Your English test is one of them.
With IELTS, we help you aim for your target score the first time. You get access to:
Full IELTS Mock Test
Our full mock test follows the same format and timing as the actual IELTS test. You’ll also get an instant band score estimate and personalised feedback.
This helps you know if you are already at 6.5 overall (the score required for 485 visa applications), or if you need to improve one specific band.
Instead of guessing, you can take your IELTS test with confidence.
Free Preparation Materials
We have a wide range of free practice tests, video tutorials, and vodcasts by IELTS experts to help you strengthen your skills.
IELTS One Skill Retake
If you’re close to your target score but miss just one band, you don’t need to sit the entire test again.
With IELTS One Skill Retake, you can retake only the section you need to improve. The Department of Home Affairs accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for the Temporary Graduate visa, as long as the retake is completed before you lodge your application.
Take the Full IELTS Mock Test
Get an instant IELTS score estimate and feedback before your test. Enjoy 10% off with code: IELTSmock10
An international student's post study journey and FAQs
International student, Alex started her Australian journey back in 2018. She shares why she chose to move to Australia and describes her post study journey and job search.
We have also gathered all the answers to the questions we get asked the most about applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). Click on the link below to discover more.
Immigration and the law
Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for changes that may apply to you. If you are interested in Australian student visas, work visas, or looking to migrate permanently, you need to lodge an application with the Australian Government. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent.
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