Australia has announced a major increase in the work visa fee for international students, making it significantly more expensive for graduates who want to stay and work in the country after completing their studies.
The fee for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) has now been doubled, a move that could impact thousands of international students planning to build work experience in Australia.
Work Visa Fee Doubled From March 2026
From March 1, 2026, the application fee for the Temporary Graduate Visa has increased from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600.
For Indian students, this means the cost has jumped from roughly Rs 1.48 lakh in 2025 to about Rs 2.96 lakh in 2026, based on the current exchange rate where 1 Australian dollar is around Rs 64.
The Temporary Graduate Visa allows international students to live, study, and work in Australia after completing their education, making it one of the most popular visa options among foreign graduates.
Types of Temporary Graduate Visas
There are three main streams under the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), each designed for different types of graduates.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This visa is for students who graduate with associate degrees, diplomas, or trade qualifications in fields that are in demand in Australia.
The visa usually allows graduates to stay and work for up to 18 months.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is meant for students who complete a bachelor’s, master’s, or higher degree from an Australian university.
Depending on the qualification, graduates can stay and work for 2 to 3 years.
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This option is available for graduates who studied in regional areas of Australia and already hold a Post-Higher Education Work or similar visa.
For 2026, the fee for both the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and Post-Higher Education Work stream is AUD 4,600, while the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream costs AUD 1,810.
Study Visa Fees Also Increased Earlier
The increase in work visa fees comes after Australia raised student visa charges in 2025.
From July 1, 2025, the application fee for Student Visa (Subclass 500) and Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) increased from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000.
Student visas allow international students to study in Australia for up to five years.
Additional charges also apply:
AUD 1,225 for applicants aged 18 and above
AUD 400 for applicants under 18
AUD 700 as a temporary application charge if applying from within Australia
Financial Requirements for International Students
International students must also show proof that they can afford their stay in Australia.
Currently, students must demonstrate at least AUD 29,710 per year to cover living expenses, in addition to tuition fees and other costs.
Health insurance will also become slightly more expensive, as private health insurance premiums for student visas are expected to rise by 4.4% starting April 2026.
Possible Changes to Student Work Rules
There may also be changes to the working hours allowed for international students.
Australia’s opposition alliance, the Liberal-National Coalition, has proposed increasing the weekly work limit for students during study terms from 48 hours to 60 hours per fortnight starting July 1, 2026.
At the same time, the proposal suggests reducing the number of new student visas to 240,000 per year.
If implemented, these changes could reshape how international students study and work in Australia in the coming years.
