Subclass 485 Visa Fee: The Latest Official Charges (2026)
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) application charge rose twice within a single year: it doubled from $2,300 to $4,600 on 1 March 2026, then rose another 25% to $5,750 on 1 July 2026 — a 150% cumulative increase in four months, making it the most talked-about change of this round. This page collects the current official charges by stream, family member charges and common questions.
The March rise was made by a legislative instrument tied to the 2025-26 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO); the July rise is part of the 2026-27 financial-year adjustment. Both are government pricing decisions.
Charges are set by the lodgement date: applications lodged before an increase took effect pay the rate of that day, with no top-up owed.
Current Official 485 Charges (From 1 July 2026)
Notes:
① The charges below apply to holders of a mainland Chinese passport.
② They apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, unless otherwise announced.
Official Charges by Stream
The 485 visa has different streams by education level and application count, each with its own charge. The table below shows official charges (AUD) effective 1 July 2026.
| Stream | Primary | Secondary 18+ | Secondary under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Higher Education Work | $5,750 | $2,875 | $1,450 |
| Post-Vocational Education Work | $5,750 | $2,875 | $1,450 |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work | $2,265 | $1,140 | $575 |
| Replacement stream | $4,600 | — | — |
Official Department of Home Affairs application charges effective 1 July 2026 (data as at 7 July 2026). Figures are current as at the build date — always confirm against the Department’s fees page and Visa Pricing Estimator.
Two Increases Inside One Year
July 2025 · $2,300
The rate at the start of the 2025-26 financial year — at the time, one of the lower charges among Australia’s major visas.
1 March 2026 · $4,600 (+100%)
Under a legislative instrument tied to the 2025-26 MYEFO, the 485 charge doubled in a single day — the largest one-off rise in the program’s history.
1 July 2026 · $5,750 (another +25%)
Raised again as part of the 2026-27 financial-year adjustment — a 150% cumulative increase in four months.
If you plan to lodge a 485 in 2026, budget on $5,750 (primary applicant); the $1,895, $2,300 and $4,600 figures still found in older articles are all out of date.
What Else to Budget For Beyond the Application Charge
Third-party costs are separate
Health examinations, English tests (IELTS / PTE etc.), police checks, translation and notarisation are not included in the application charge — and most of them are also adjusted annually.
The lodgement window is a hard limit
A 485 application must be lodged within the required period after completing an eligible course (generally within 6 months), with English and qualification requirements met at lodgement. Deadlines and requirements follow the official rules.
Think one step past the 485
The 485 is a transitional visa. If your next step is skilled migration (189/190/491) or employer sponsorship (482/186), those charges also rose about 25% this round — it pays to cost the whole pathway upfront.
Graduating soon? Sort out your 485 budget and documents in one go.
How Newstars Can Help
Newstars Education & Migration has long served international students in Australia; migration advice is provided by a registered migration agent (MARN 1572947).
For 485 applications we can help you: confirm which stream applies to you and its current charge; cost out a complete budget including family members at official rates; and get your English scores, qualification documents and other evidence ready inside the lodgement window, reducing the cost and risk of an incomplete application.
Related pages: Subclass 485 service page · Student visa (500) · 189 Skilled Independent · 2026-27 all-category fee overview
485 Fee FAQs
I lodged my 485 before 1 March 2026 — which rate applies?
The rate on your lodgement day ($2,300). Applications lodged from 1 March to 30 June 2026 paid $4,600; applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026 pay $5,750. Lodged applications never owe a top-up.
My partner and child are included — what is the total application charge?
For a primary applicant + partner + one child under 18: $5,750 + $2,875 + $1,450 = $10,075 in official application charges. Third-party costs such as health examinations are separate.
Did the second 485 rise too?
The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (for eligible regional graduates) currently costs $2,265 for the primary applicant — lower than a first application. Eligibility follows the official rules.
Is the 485 application charge refundable?
Visa application charges are generally non-refundable once lodged — even if the application is refused or withdrawn. Confirming you meet all requirements before lodging matters more than ever.
Where can I check the official rates?
The Department of Home Affairs fees-and-charges page and its Visa Pricing Estimator. Figures on this page follow the official 1 July 2026 schedule, with the data date noted.
Plan Your 485 Application at the New Rates
Rates have changed twice this year and the lodgement window is fixed. Newstars helps you confirm your stream, budget accurately and prepare complete documents.
