How much does the subclass 485 graduate visa cost in 2025?
The 485 fee structure as it stood through the 2024–25 financial year is set out below. These fees apply at the time of application lodgement — not at the time of grant — so it is the fee in force on the day you click "submit" in ImmiAccount that counts.
| Applicant Type | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $5,750 |
| Secondary applicant aged 18+ | $2,875 |
| Secondary applicant under 18 | $1,440 |
These figures represent a dramatic increase from where fees sat just a few years ago. The base fee was $1,730 as recently as 2022–23, meaning it has more than tripled in a very short time frame. At VJ Consulting and Education, we strongly advise clients to check the current fee on the DOHA website on the actual day they intend to lodge, because fee increases can take effect without extended public notice.
Why did Australian student visa and 485 visa fees increase so much?
In the 2023–24 Federal Budget, the Albanese Government announced that several temporary visa application charges — including the Subclass 500 student visa and the Subclass 485 — would be significantly raised. The stated policy goals were threefold:
- Reduce overall migration volume — net overseas migration peaked above 500,000 in 2022–23, and the government faced intense political pressure to bring it down.
- Recover the cost of processing — DOHA argued that application fees had not kept pace with the actual cost of assessing complex graduate visa applications.
- Deter low-quality applications — higher fees were intended to reduce speculative lodgements from applicants who had little realistic prospect of meeting the criteria.
The result was an increase that far outpaced CPI. For the 485 in particular, the jump from roughly $1,730 to $5,750 was not phased — it was a single-step increase that caught many graduating students off guard.
Is it worth applying for a 485 visa at $5750 after graduation in Australia?
To assess whether $5,750 is worthwhile, consider what the 485 gives you:
| Benefit | Monetary Value (approximate) |
|---|---|
| 2–4 years of unrestricted work rights in Australia | Hundreds of thousands in Australian wages |
| Points towards skilled migration (age, Australian work experience) | Unlocks 189/190/491 eligibility |
| Medicare access for eligible nationalities | Significant health cost savings |
| Time to secure employer sponsorship for a 482 or 186 visa | Pathway to permanent residence |
The 485 is especially valuable if your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list and you are planning to apply for a Subclass 189, Subclass 190, or Subclass 491 visa. Each year of skilled Australian work experience on a 485 adds points to your EOI — and those points can mean the difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely.
See also: How to Get PR After a Temporary Visa: 482→186, 491→191, Student→PR
Why did Australia raise the 485 visa fee so dramatically in a short period?
The speed of the increase — from $1,730 to $5,750 in effectively one financial year — was intentional. The government's Migration Strategy, released in late 2023, explicitly identified the international education sector as a major driver of temporary migration numbers. Rather than capping visa numbers outright (which would have created diplomatic and commercial complications for universities), the government used cost as a filtering mechanism.
For graduates already enrolled or nearing completion, there was no transitional arrangement. The higher fee applied from the announced date regardless of when you had commenced your studies or how long you had been paying Australian university fees.
What happens to my 485 visa application if fees increase before I apply?
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the 485 fee regime. The fee is set at the date of lodgement. There is no mechanism under the Migration Regulations to lock in a lower fee because you were enrolled before the increase was announced, or because your graduation ceremony was before the increase date.
What this means practically:
- If you are close to meeting the lodgement requirements (i.e. awaiting your final transcript or AQF certificate), lodge as soon as you are legally able to do so.
- Do not wait for "a better time" — fees have only moved in one direction since 2022.
- If a fee increase is publicly announced with a future commencement date, you may be able to lodge before that date to capture the lower fee, but only if you already meet all eligibility criteria.
The team at VJ Consulting and Education regularly advises clients on lodgement timing strategy precisely because these decisions have real financial consequences.
📖 485 Visa Application: Documents, Fees & Processing Times →Why did Australia 485 visa fee increase so much?
The broader context is important. Australia's net overseas migration reached approximately 518,000 in 2022–23 — the highest on record. Housing shortages, infrastructure strain, and political pressure created urgency for the government to act quickly. Legislating caps on student visa numbers would have required lengthy parliamentary debate and risked legal challenge. Raising fees, by contrast, is achievable through a straightforward amendment to the Migration (Visa Application) Charge Regulations and can be done within weeks.
The 485 was specifically targeted because:
- It is the primary mechanism by which international graduates extend their stay in Australia
- Its grant rate is relatively high (most eligible applicants who apply correctly are granted)
- Its holders are a significant proportion of Australia's temporary skilled workforce
Why did Australia raise the 485 graduate visa fee so much?
It is worth being direct: from a policy design perspective, a fee of $5,750 serves as a self-selecting barrier. Graduates who are genuinely committed to remaining in Australia and pursuing permanent residence will find the fee manageable over time. Those who had considered applying "just in case" or as a default extension are more likely to be deterred.
This approach has precedent in Australian migration policy. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was similarly used to reduce the volume of employer-sponsored workers, and skill assessment fees have been raised repeatedly to filter speculative skills assessments.
See also: 189 Invitation Rounds 2026: Points Cutoffs by Occupation — understanding whether your occupation is competitive for PR will help you decide if the 485 investment is justified.
How much does a 485 graduate visa cost in Australia 2025?
These figures do not include associated costs that most applicants will also need to budget for:
| Associated Cost | Approximate Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Skills assessment (if required) | $300 – $1,000+ |
| English language test (IELTS/PTE/OET) | $350 – $600 |
| NAATI translation of documents (if applicable) | $100 – $400 per document |
| Health examinations | $300 – $500 per person |
| Migration agent fees | $1,500 – $3,500 (varies by agent and case complexity) |
See also: NAATI Translation & Certification: Points, Cost & How to Apply
How much does the 485 graduate visa cost in 2026-27?
Australia's visa application charges are indexed annually, typically taking effect on 1 July each financial year. The indexation rate follows the Consumer Price Index and is applied automatically without separate parliamentary approval. This means even without a deliberate policy decision to increase fees, the 485 cost will continue to rise incrementally each year.
| Financial Year | Primary Applicant Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | $1,730 |
| 2023–24 | $1,840 |
| 2024–25 | $5,750 |
| 2025–26 | $5,750 |
| 2026–27 (indicative) | $5,960 |
What is the current application fee for the Australian 485 graduate visa in 2024?
Many clients who graduated in late 2023 or early 2024 were caught by surprise by this figure. The fee had been $1,730 as recently as 2022–23 and $1,840 in 2023–24, before the budget measure took effect. If you lodged in calendar year 2024 and paid $5,750, you paid the correct fee for that period.
If you are reading this having already lodged and paid, the most important next step is understanding your PR pathway before your 485 expires. See: 485 Graduate Visa Australia: Complete Guide for 2026
What is the Australia 485 graduate visa current application fee?
This is the fee in effect from 1 July 2025 through 30 June 2026 (subject to any budget-cycle change). Secondary applicant fees remain at $2,875 (18 and over) and $1,440 (under 18). There are no concessions, waivers, or instalment plans available through DOHA for this charge.
VJ Consulting and Education recommends that all clients confirm the fee directly on the DOHA website on the day of lodgement, particularly if lodging close to 1 July when annual indexation takes effect.
What is the new fee for subclass 485 graduate visa after July 2026?
The indexation mechanism means the fee will almost certainly not decrease. Each 1 July, the figure is recalculated and rounded to the nearest $5. If you are planning to lodge after 1 July 2026, budget for the higher figure and verify the exact amount on the DOHA website before submitting.
If you are close to being ready to lodge and your expected date straddles the 1 July boundary, it is worth discussing timing with a registered migration agent. Lodging a day or two early — if you already meet all criteria — could save you over $200. However, do not lodge an incomplete or premature application simply to avoid a fee increase, as a refusal wastes the entire fee with no refund.
For graduates planning their entire post-study pathway, the fee is one of several financial variables. Understanding your PR options — whether through the 491 regional pathway, employer sponsorship via Subclass 482, or direct skilled independent streams — will determine whether the 485 investment is the right first step. See: How to Get PR After a Temporary Visa: 482→186, 491→191, Student→PR
