Effective 1 March 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs raised the base application charge for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600. The change was implemented through a legislative instrument under the Migration (Fees) Regulation 2024 and applies to every new 485 application lodged on or after that date. For Nepali graduates finishing an Australian Bachelor or Master, this doubles the primary applicant’s visa fee at exactly the point of post-study transition.
What changed on 1 March 2026
- Primary applicant base charge: AUD 2,300 → AUD 4,600.
- Additional charges for family members: also increased per the Migration (Fees) Regulation update.
- The application charge is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Practical impact for Nepali graduates
- Budget the Subclass 485 fee as AUD 4,600 for the primary applicant, in addition to health cover (OVHC), English test if the previous one has expired, and any skills-assessment fees.
- Graduates on tight budgets should not delay lodgement waiting for a family funds transfer if the 6-month lodgement window is close.
- Compare the return on investment of the graduate visa carefully. AUD 4,600 buys 2 years of open work rights (or more for Master by research and PhD). For most graduates in employable fields this is still a strong investment; for niche fields it deserves a serious conversation.
Age and eligibility unchanged
The rules other than the fee did not change on 1 March 2026:
- Age cap: 35 at the time of application for Bachelor and Master by coursework. Exceptions apply up to age 50 for Master by research / PhD graduates and for holders of a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
- English requirement: valid IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET or CAE at the current Subclass 485 minimum, taken in one sitting within the accepted validity window.
- Lodgement window: within 6 months of the date on your Completion Letter.
- Health cover: OVHC covering the full length of the graduate visa.
Regional second-stream unaffected on the fee point
The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is subject to the same base charge structure. Graduates who studied at a regional campus and meet the 2-year regional residence requirement can still apply for the additional 1 or 2 years of open work rights (Category 2 gets 1 additional year; Category 3 gets 2 additional years).
How this changes course-choice logic
- The post-study work window has become more expensive per year. That widens the gap between a coursework graduate who converts their 2 years into steady employment and one who does not.
- Regional graduates get more years per fee — the Second stream buys additional cover for a fresh application charge, but the extra year of open work rights amortises the total outlay differently.
- Programmes that lead to occupations on the current core skills list still carry the strongest post-graduation return.
See our full Australia post-study work visa guide and our Study in Australia hub for the current policy set.