Australia's 485 Post-Study Work Visa Fee Doubles to AUD 4,600 — What Indian Graduates Pay Now

Indian graduates in Australia now face a post-study work visa bill of AUD 4,600 (approximately ₹3.01 lakh) — double what it cost just four weeks ago. The Australian Department of Home Affairs doubled the application fee for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) effective 1 March 2026, with no advance notice to students or institutions. For Indian graduates adding a partner or child to the application, the total cost can exceed AUD 8,900 (₹5.82 lakh).

The 485 visa is the primary post-study work pathway for international graduates in Australia, allowing holders to live and work for up to three years after completing their degree. With over 100,000 Indian students currently enrolled in Australian universities, this fee increase directly affects every Indian graduate planning to stay and work after graduation.

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What the New 485 Visa Fees Look Like From 1 March 2026

The fee increase applies to all applications lodged on or after 1 March 2026, under the Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026. Applications lodged before 1 March 2026 are not affected.

Exchange rate: 1 AUD = ₹65.43 as of 25 March 2026. Source: exchange-rates.org

Example total cost for an Indian graduate with one partner: AUD 4,600 + AUD 2,300 = AUD 6,900 (₹4,51,500) — before health checks, biometrics, or document costs.

Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders are exempt from the increase and continue to pay the previous fee. Indian passport holders are not exempt.

How the 485 Fee Has Risen Over Three Years

This is not the first increase — it is the third in just over a year, and the steepest by far.

Across three increases since 2024, the 485 visa fee has more than doubled from its original level. The March 2026 increase was announced without warning — the legislative instrument was registered on 28 February 2026 and came into effect the very next day.

The 485 is now the most expensive post-study work visa in the world — more than 10 times the equivalent fee in Canada, three times New Zealand's, and twice the UK's Graduate Route visa fee.

What This Means for Indian Students in Australia

India is one of the largest source countries for international students in Australia. With over 100,000 Indian students enrolled across Australian universities in 2025, the 485 fee hike affects a significant cohort — particularly those completing bachelor's, master's, and PhD programmes who plan to stay and work after graduation.

Who is directly affected:

• Bachelor's degree graduates — eligible for 2 years on the 485 (Post-Higher Education Work stream)
• Master's by coursework graduates — eligible for 2 years
• Master's by research / PhD graduates — eligible for up to 3 years
• Diploma and associate degree graduates — eligible for 18 months (Post-Vocational Education Work stream)
• Regional graduates — may apply for a second 485 (now AUD 1,810)

Who is not affected: Students who lodged their 485 application before 1 March 2026 pay the old fee. The new fee applies only to applications lodged from 1 March 2026 onwards.

More Costs Coming: OSHC Rising 1 April 2026

The 485 fee hike is not the only cost increase hitting Indian graduates this spring. The Australian Government has approved an average 4.41% increase in private health insurance premiums from 1 April 2026, including Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — which most international students and 485 visa holders are required to maintain.

For context, the full cost stack for an Indian graduate applying for the 485 now includes:

• 485 visa fee: AUD 4,600 (₹3.01 lakh)
• OSHC (approx. 2 years): AUD 1,200–2,400 depending on provider (rising ~4.41% from April)
• Health examination (if required): AUD 300–500
• Police clearance certificate: AUD 42 (Australian Federal Police)
• Total estimated out-of-pocket: AUD 6,200–7,600+ (₹4.06–4.97 lakh) before dependants

What Indian Graduates Should Do Now

1. Lodge your 485 application as soon as you are eligible. The fee applies at the time of lodgement. There is no benefit to waiting — the fee will not decrease. If you are within 6 months of completing your course and meet the eligibility requirements, begin preparing your application now.

2. Check your eligibility stream before applying. The 485 has multiple streams (Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Vocational Education Work, Second Post-Higher Education Work). Applying to the wrong stream means your application will be refused — and the AUD 4,600 fee is non-refundable.

3. Price your full application including dependants. If you plan to include a partner or child, calculate the total cost upfront: AUD 4,600 (primary) + AUD 2,300 per adult dependant + AUD 1,160 per child under 18. A family of three costs AUD 8,060 (₹5.27 lakh) in visa fees alone.

4. Lock in your OSHC before 1 April 2026. If you need to purchase or renew OSHC for your 485 period, doing so before 1 April 2026 locks in the current (lower) premium rate before the 4.41% increase takes effect.

5. Verify your age eligibility. From 2026, the 485 visa has an age cap of 35 years or under at the time of application (with limited exceptions). Confirm you meet this requirement before lodging.

6. Use ImmiAccount for the official fee at time of lodgement. Always verify the current fee on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website or in ImmiAccount at the time you lodge. The fee confirmed in this article is current as of 25 March 2026.

The Bigger Picture: Australia's Escalating Cost for Indian Students

The 485 fee increase is part of a broader pattern of rising costs for international students in Australia. Since 2024:

• The student visa (Subclass 500) fee rose from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 (2024), then to AUD 2,000 (July 2025) — the most expensive study visa fee of any major destination globally
• The proof of funds threshold for living costs rose to AUD 29,710 per year (2024)
• Average university tuition fees rose more than 6% in 2025
• OSHC premiums are rising 4.41% from April 2026

For Indian students calculating the return on investment of an Australian degree, these compounding costs are a material factor. The 485 visa fee alone has increased by 154% since early 2024 — from AUD 1,810 to AUD 4,600.