Graduate-visa hopefuls face a higher price tag next year: an analysis released 17 October by Migratio confirms that the Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026 will raise the primary applicant fee for subclass 485 from A$1,895 to A$2,310 – a 22% hike – once the instrument is registered. The Temporary Graduate visa remains a popular bridge to skilled visas and permanent residence for international students. Universities fear the steeper fee, together with recent restrictions on adding family members onshore, could dampen enrolments from price-sensitive markets such as Nepal and the Philippines. Employers in hospitality, aged-care and tech – sectors that hire large numbers of recent graduates – warn that higher costs may push talent towards Canada or the UK’s Graduate visa. They urge the government to pair the fee increase with faster Skills in Demand (482) pathways for graduates already trained in Australia. Students graduating this December still have time to lodge before the new charge takes effect, but advisers recommend preparing complete applications early to avoid the spike.
Source: Migratio
