Major Australian visa changes in 2026: Graduate visa application fees doubled

Apart from increasing Graduate visa fee, the Australian government has also introduced legislation to impose a temporary ban on travellers from certain countries applying for specific Australian visas. (Representative image) Credit: Credits: AAP images

The Australian government has doubled application fees for two streams of the subclass 485 post-study graduate visa from $2,300 to $4,600, effective 1 March. The government has also introduced a ban on “visa-hopping”, preventing people on visitor visas or 485 visas from applying for student visas while in Australia. New legislation has also been introduced to allow a temporary ban on travellers from certain countries applying for specific visas.

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Published 12 March 2026 2:02pm

Updated 13 March 2026 1:05pm

By Natasha Kaul, Haylena Krishnamoorthy

Source: SBS

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The Australian government has doubled application fees for two streams of the subclass 485 post-study graduate visa from $2,300 to $4,600, effective 1 March. The government has also introduced a ban on “visa-hopping”, preventing people on visitor visas or 485 visas from applying for student visas while in Australia. New legislation has also been introduced to allow a temporary ban on travellers from certain countries applying for specific visas.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485

[Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide and is accurate as of the date of publication. Migration laws and policies may change over time. For advice tailored to your situation, please consult a qualified migration or legal professional.]

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