From 1 March 2026, Australia’s Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 now costs AUD $4,600 for most primary applicants – more than double the previous fee. Combined with a reduced age cap of 35, stricter English requirements, and the closure of the Replacement stream, the 485 visa pathway has fundamentally changed. Early planning and professional guidance are now essential.
What Changed for the 485 Visa in 2026?
The fee more than doubled
From 1 March 2026, the first instalment for most new Subclass 485 applicants rose to AUD $4,600. Adult dependants are now charged $2,300 and child dependants $1,160. These changes were introduced under the Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026 – and what caught many graduates and migration professionals off guard was the timing. Fee increases for Australian visas typically take effect on 1 July each year. This one arrived in March, with little warning.
On 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs updated its fee schedule again. Graduates planning to lodge their applications must verify the current applicable charges on the Department’s official website before submitting.
The age cap dropped to 35
The maximum age limit for most applicants in the Post-Higher Education Work stream has been reduced to 35 years, down from the previous threshold of 50. This single change has effectively closed the door for a significant cohort of mature-age graduates who had been planning their migration journey under older eligibility settings.
English requirements became stricter
The minimum English score for Temporary Graduate visa applicants increased to IELTS 6.5 – up from the previous requirement of 6.0. Crucially, English test results are now only valid for 12 months, reduced from the previous three-year window.
This is one of the most frequently overlooked traps. Graduates who sat their English test more than 12 months before lodgement will need to resit – regardless of how high their original score was.
Who Is Exempt From the Fee Increase?
Not all applicants are subject to the doubled charge. The lower fee structure remains in place for primary applicants who hold a passport from specified Pacific Island countries or Timor-Leste.
All other applicants – including those from India, China, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and most other common student source countries – are subject to the full AUD $4,600 first instalment.
What Happened to the Replacement Stream?
The Replacement stream closed to new primary applications from 1 July 2024. Alongside this, the Recognised-Skilled Graduate Subclass 476 visa was abolished after its cap was reached in early 2024. Together, these closures sent a clear message: Australia is narrowing graduate visa pathways, not expanding them.
Graduates who had anticipated extending their stay through the Replacement stream must now identify alternative pathways – most commonly skilled migration or employer-sponsored visas such as the Subclass 482 or 186.
How Much Does the 485 Visa Actually Cost in 2026?
The government application fee is only one component of the total cost. When health examinations, police clearances, English testing, overseas visitor health cover, and dependant fees are factored in, the total out-of-pocket cost for a primary applicant with one adult dependant can easily exceed AUD $8,000–$9,500.
| Cost Item | Approximate Amount |
| 485 visa application fee (primary) | AUD $4,600 |
| Adult dependent fee | AUD $2,300 |
| IELTS or equivalent English test | AUD $385–$430 |
| Health examination (per person) | AUD $300–$450 |
| Police clearance | AUD $40–$100+ |
| Overseas visitor health cover | AUD $600–$1,200/year |
| Estimated total | AUD $8,000–$9,500+ |
One critical detail many applicants overlook: the Department of Home Affairs does not refund the visa application fee if an application is refused. At $4,600 per application, a refused lodgement is now an extremely expensive outcome – making error prevention the single most important focus of any 485 application strategy.
What Are the Timing Rules Graduates Must Know?
Timing is not merely important on the 485 – it forms part of the eligibility criteria. For an initial Post-Higher Education Work stream application, the applicant’s degree must satisfy the Australian study requirement within the six months immediately before the application is made.
This means course completion, evidence gathering, and lodgement cannot be treated as separate tasks to be approached one at a time over several months. On a 485 file, the lodgement window is part of what makes an applicant eligible. Miss it, and eligibility is lost entirely.
Additionally, the course itself must be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), taught in English, and completed over at least 92 weeks, with a minimum of 16 months spent studying in Australia.
What Should Perth Graduates Do Right Now?
For international graduates based in Western Australia, these changes carry particular weight. Perth’s skilled labour market remains strong across healthcare, engineering, construction, technology, and professional services – making the 485 a genuinely valuable transition visa for graduates aiming toward state nomination or employer sponsorship in WA.
That opportunity, however, comes with greater financial risk than ever before. Working with a registered Immigration Agent Perth gives graduates a structured advantage: confirmation of stream eligibility, lodgement window planning, English result validity checks, document preparation, and a decision-ready application built to the Department of Home Affairs’ current standards.
The government’s policy direction has been consistent and clear. The Temporary Graduate visa is being repositioned as a focused, early-career transition tool – not an open-ended post-study holding period. Graduates who apply in 2026 must plan accordingly.
Consulting a registered Immigration Agent Perth before lodging ensures your application is assessed against your individual circumstances, with a clear strategy for what comes after the 485 – whether that is a skilled nominated visa, an employer-sponsored pathway, or regional migration.
The Bottom Line
Australia’s 2026 migration changes have made the 485 pathway more expensive, more time-sensitive, and less forgiving of poor preparation. A doubled application fee with no refund on refusal, a tighter age cap, stricter English validity rules, and the permanent closure of the Replacement stream have fundamentally changed what it takes to lodge a successful application.
The opportunity, however, remains real. Australian work experience through the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa continues to be one of the most effective ways to build a credible skilled migration pathway in Australia. In 2026, that opportunity belongs to graduates who plan early, prepare carefully, and seek qualified professional guidance before lodging.
FAQs
What is the 485 visa application fee in 2026?
From 1 March 2026, the primary applicant fee for the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is AUD $4,600 for most applicants. Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders are exempt and continue paying the previous lower rate.
Can I apply for the 485 visa if I am over 35?
No. For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, the maximum age at the time of application is 35 years. This was reduced from the previous cap of 50 under 2024 reforms. Limited exceptions may apply – consult a registered migration agent for advice specific to your circumstances.
How long is the 485 visa valid for in 2026?
Duration depends on your qualification level and stream. Most Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants receive between 18 months and three years. Pandemic-era two-year extension provisions have been removed, so visa length is now determined strictly by qualification type.
Is the Replacement stream still open in 2026?
No. The Replacement stream closed to new primary applications on 1 July 2024 and is no longer available. Graduates who relied on this pathway must explore alternative visa options, such as skilled or employer-sponsored streams.
What English score do I need for the 485 visa in 2026?
A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 – or the equivalent in an approved alternative test – is required. English results are only valid for 12 months at the time of lodgement. An expired result, regardless of the score, will not be accepted.