The Australian government has implemented a significant increase in the application fee for its post-study work visa, the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) from AUD2,300 to AUD4,600 (approximately $3,231.00 USD).
Canada’s post-graduate work visa fee on the other hand, is CAD 255 (approximately186.41 USD).
This makes this more than ten times higher than that of Canada, now double that of the United Kingdom, and three times higher than New Zealand’s.
This marks the third price hike in just over a year, officially making it the most expensive visa of its kind globally.
Read also: What international students should expect when studying in Australia
This visa allows international graduates to remain and work in Australia for between 18 months and three years, often serving as a vital pathway to permanent residency.
In addition, the costs for dependants have also surged:
Partners and dependants (over 18): Increased from AUD1,115 to AUD2,300
Children (under 18): Increased from AUD560 to AUD1,150.
A pattern of rising fees
This latest adjustment follows a broader trend of increasing financial demands on international students in Australia.
Its student visa (Subclass 500) fee is already at a high cost of AUD2,000, while the required proof of funds for living costs was raised to AUD29,710 in 2024. Additionally, private health insurance premiums are scheduled to rise by 4.4 percent in April 2026.
Read also:Nigerians may soon pay over N2m for Australian study visa
While the government previously stated that higher fees help identify “genuine” students, the sudden nature of this latest announcement has drawn sharp criticism from experts and student representatives.
As reported by ICEF Monitor, Jesse Garden-Russell, president of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), said that the policy feels punitive, saying, “The fee hike sends a clear message that international graduates are being treated as revenue sources rather than valued contributors to Australia’s workforce and society. Graduates finish their studies hoping to gain work experience, not to be hit with unpredictable, punitive costs.”
