The 485 Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) application charge increased to AU$4,600 from 1 March 2026. This was a substantial increase from the previous rate. If you are planning to apply for the 485 visa, this is the current government fee you need to budget for.
This article explains what the fee covers, what it does not cover, and what else you will need to pay for as part of the 485 application process. All information reflects the position as of June 2026.
What Is the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa?
The 485 Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa for international students who have recently completed eligible study at an Australian educational institution. It lets you live, work, and study in Australia after graduation.
There are two streams under this visa.
Graduate Work stream: For graduates with qualifications in an occupation on Australia's skilled occupation list. This stream grants 18 months of stay. A skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required.
Post-Study Work stream: For graduates of bachelor degrees, graduate diplomas, masters degrees, or doctoral degrees from an Australian institution. No skills assessment is required. The length of stay depends on your highest qualification:
- Bachelor degree: 2 years
- Bachelor Honours degree, Masters by Coursework, or Masters by Research: 3 years
- Doctoral degree: 4 years
Most international graduates apply under the Post-Study Work stream. The Graduate Work stream is less common and has stricter eligibility conditions.
For information on pathways from the 485 visa to Australian permanent residency, read our Skills in Demand visa guide.
The Current 485 Visa Fee
The visa application charge for the 485 Temporary Graduate visa is AU$4,600. This rate applies from 1 March 2026 and has been verified as of June 2026.
This is the government fee paid to the Department of Home Affairs when you lodge your application online through ImmiAccount. You pay it at the time of lodgment. It is non-refundable once paid, regardless of the outcome.
The fee applies to the primary applicant. If you include a secondary applicant (such as a partner or dependent child), an additional charge applies for each person included.
Visa application charges are indexed annually, with changes typically applying from 1 July each financial year. The March 2026 increase applied outside the usual annual cycle. For the most current figure, use the official Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
What the Fee Covers
The AU$4,600 application charge covers the right to have your application assessed by the Department of Home Affairs. If the visa is granted, it covers:
- The right to live in Australia for the duration of the visa
- The right to work in Australia without restrictions on hours or employer
- The right to study in Australia
- The right to travel in and out of Australia during the visa period
The 485 is a temporary visa. You will need to apply for a separate visa if you want to remain in Australia after the 485 period ends.
What the Fee Does Not Cover
The visa application charge is one cost in the 485 application process. Several other costs apply that are not included in the fee.
Medical examination: Most 485 applicants must complete a health check with a Department of Home Affairs-approved panel physician. The physician charges a separate fee. It is not part of the visa application charge.
Police clearance certificates: You may need police clearances from Australia and from other countries where you have lived for 12 months or more. Each country has its own process and charges its own fee.
English language test: The 485 visa has English language requirements. An accepted test result must be provided with your application. The test fee is paid to the test provider, not the Department.
Skills assessment: If you are applying under the Graduate Work stream, a skills assessment is required. This fee is paid to the relevant assessing authority.
Migration agent fees: A Registered Migration Agent prepares your application, checks your eligibility, and manages the lodgment process. Their fee is separate from the visa application charge.
For a complete breakdown of all visa costs across Australia's main pathways, see our Australia visa fees guide.
English Test Requirements for the 485 Visa
To be granted the 485 visa, you must demonstrate English proficiency. Accepted tests include PTE Academic, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, CELPIP, and LanguageCert Academic.
From August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs requires minimum scores in each individual component of the PTE Academic test, not just an overall score. The minimum component scores for the 485 visa are:
- Listening: 47
- Reading: 48
- Writing: 51
- Speaking: 54
Each component must meet or exceed its required minimum. Reaching the overall score target alone is not enough.
Desire Migration offers PTE Academic coaching with on-site practice labs at all three Melbourne offices. Our coaches focus on the components where students most commonly fall short.
How to Estimate Your Exact 485 Fee
The AU$4,600 figure is for the primary applicant. If you are including secondary applicants, the total will be higher.
To get the exact figure for your situation, use the official Visa Pricing Estimator.
- Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator
- Select "Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)"
- Enter your passport country
- Enter your intended lodgment date
- Confirm whether you are in Australia or overseas
- Enter the number of secondary applicants
- Click "Get Estimate"
Save or screenshot the result. If your lodgment date crosses 1 July, re-run the estimator closer to the time you plan to apply, as fees may change.
For a full walkthrough of the estimator tool, read our Australia visa pricing estimator guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the 485 visa fee increase in 2026?
Yes. The 485 Temporary Graduate visa application charge increased to AU$4,600 from 1 March 2026. This increase applied outside the usual annual fee update cycle, which normally takes effect on 1 July each year. The AU$4,600 rate applies to the primary applicant. Secondary applicants attract an additional charge each. This has been verified as of June 2026.
How much does the 485 Temporary Graduate visa cost in 2026?
The 485 Temporary Graduate visa application charge is AU$4,600 for the primary applicant, from 1 March 2026. This is the government fee paid to the Department of Home Affairs at lodgment. Secondary applicants each attract an additional charge. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator to calculate the total government fee for your specific circumstances.
Is the 485 visa application fee refundable?
No. The 485 visa application charge is non-refundable once paid, regardless of the outcome of your application. If your application is refused or withdrawn, the fee is not returned. This applies to the primary applicant fee and to any secondary applicant charges paid at lodgment.
What English test scores do I need for the 485 visa?
From August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs requires minimum scores in each individual PTE Academic component for the 485 visa: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, and Speaking 54. Meeting the overall score alone is not enough. Each component must reach its individual minimum. Other accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, CELPIP, and LanguageCert Academic, with their own minimum score requirements.
What other costs are involved in a 485 visa application?
Beyond the AU$4,600 government fee, most 485 applicants also pay for an English language test, a medical examination, and police clearance certificates. Applicants under the Graduate Work stream also need a skills assessment. Migration agent fees are charged separately. None of these additional costs are included in the visa application charge.
Plan Your 485 Visa With Desire Migration
The visa application charge is the main government cost in the 485 process. When you add medicals, police checks, English testing, and professional guidance, the total adds up. Knowing the full picture before you lodge helps you plan your timeline and your finances.
Desire Migration, led by Manisha Bhutani, a Registered Migration Agent with 15 years of experience (MARN 2217756), has supported over 11,698 clients through Australian visa applications across skilled, family, and employer-sponsored pathways.
We operate from three Melbourne offices: CBD (1003/530 Little Collins St), Truganina, and St Albans. In-person and remote consultations are available.
To map your 485 pathway and understand what it costs end to end, book a consultation at desiremigration.com.au.
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