Australia Graduate Visa 485 Fee Doubled in 2026

Nepali students who complete their degrees in Australia are now facing a significantly heavier bill to stay on and work. From 1 March 2026, the Temporary Graduate Visa — Subclass 485 — has doubled in cost from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600, a change that landed without fanfare but with immediate financial consequences for the more than 56,000 Nepali international students currently enrolled in Australian institutions.

The fee increase is part of a broader tightening of Australia's post-study work pathway. Alongside the doubled fee, the government has reduced the maximum age for most applicants, imposed a new English language floor, and maintained a national student intake cap. Together, these changes reshape the calculation every Nepali family makes when considering Australian education.

The New 485 Fee: AUD 4,600 From 1 March 2026

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who have graduated from Australian institutions to live and work in Australia for up to four years, depending on their qualification. Until February 2026, the primary applicant fee was AUD 2,300 — already a substantial amount, but one that most graduates considered manageable against the earning potential of an Australian work stint.

From 1 March 2026, that figure doubled to AUD 4,600 per primary applicant. Partners or dependents aged 18 and above, who previously paid AUD 1,115, now pay AUD 2,300. For a couple both applying, the total visa cost alone reaches AUD 6,900 — roughly NPR 9.3 lakh at current exchange rates.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs justified the increase as part of efforts to ensure the visa programme reflects the true cost of administration and supports a sustainable immigration system. Critics, including Australian university groups and migration agents, argued the doubling is effectively a deterrent layered on top of already-rising student visa fees, which themselves went up to AUD 2,000 from 1 July 2025.

One concession exists: citizens of Pacific Island nations pay a reduced rate of AUD 2,300 — the old primary applicant fee — reflecting Australia's Pacific engagement commitments. Nepali applicants receive no such reduction.

Age Cap Reduced From 50 to 35 Years

The age eligibility change is particularly significant for Nepali postgraduate students. Under previous rules, applicants for the Post-Higher Education Work stream of the 485 visa could be up to 50 years old at the time of application. The revised rules cut that ceiling to 35 years.

This affects a meaningful segment of Nepali graduates. Many Nepalis pursue master's degrees in Australia in their late 20s or early 30s, often after several years of work experience in Nepal or the Gulf. A student who completed a two-year master's programme starting at age 32 and graduated at 34 would previously have been well within eligibility. Now, they have a narrower window — and any delay in completing their degree could push them out of the age bracket entirely.

Pacific Island nation citizens again receive an exemption and remain eligible under the older age threshold of 50, paying the reduced fee of AUD 2,300.

For Nepalis already enrolled in longer postgraduate programmes — doctoral degrees or multi-year research programmes — the effective cut-off date of the new age cap makes careful enrolment and completion planning essential. Students who began programmes before the policy change but who will graduate after turning 35 should confirm their eligibility status with a registered migration agent before assuming they qualify.

English Requirement: IELTS 6.5 Now Mandatory

A new English language threshold now applies to 485 visa applicants: a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no individual band below 6.0. This requirement is new for the 485 stream — previously, applicants who had studied in English in Australia were not separately tested on their language ability for the graduate visa itself.

For most Nepali graduates, an IELTS 6.5 is already in hand — it is typically required to gain entry to Australian universities. However, students who used alternative English tests for admission, such as PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT, must now verify whether their scores translate to the equivalent 485 threshold, or sit an IELTS test specifically for the visa application.

The practical advice from migration agents is to ensure your English proficiency certificate is no older than three years at the time of 485 application, as older test scores may not be accepted. Nepali graduates who are borderline on IELTS — those who scored 6.0 on their student visa and have not retested since — should plan to sit a fresh IELTS exam before their course ends.

English coaching centres in Kathmandu report a surge in inquiries from students already studying in Australia who are now scrambling to meet the new benchmark ahead of graduation.

How This Changes Post-Study Planning for Nepalis

The combined cost of studying in Australia and applying for post-study work rights has climbed sharply. A student visa now costs AUD 2,000. A two-year master's degree at an Australian public university typically costs AUD 30,000 to AUD 50,000 in tuition. Add living expenses — roughly AUD 21,000 to AUD 25,000 per year — and the 485 visa fee of AUD 4,600, and a Nepali family is looking at a total outlay of AUD 85,000 to AUD 100,000 or more for the full study-and-stay pathway. At current rates, that is approximately NPR 1.14 crore to NPR 1.35 crore.

Nepal's remittance inflows hit NPR 1.449 trillion in the first eight months of FY2025/26 — a 37.7 percent year-on-year rise — which reflects how deeply migration is embedded in the national economy. Australia has become one of the primary destinations for educated Nepali migrants, with 56,016 Nepali international students enrolled as of January–February 2026 and 213,580 Nepal-born residents living in Australia as of June 2025.

Students currently in their first or second year of Australian programmes should factor the new 485 fee into their financial planning now rather than at graduation. Those who anticipated using part-time work savings to cover the graduate visa fee may find that AUD 4,600 requires a larger buffer.

Alternative post-study pathways include employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482 TSS) for those who secure a job offer in a skills shortage occupation, or state-nominated visas for graduates willing to work and live in regional areas. These routes require more employer engagement but bypass the 485 fee structure entirely.

For students still choosing between Australia and other destinations, the fee increase makes Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit — which carries no equivalent fee jump — comparatively more attractive for those focused on post-study earnings.

International Student Cap for 2026: 295,000 Places

Australia's National Planning Level (NPL) for 2026 is set at 295,000 international student commencements, an increase of 25,000 from the 2025 cap. The NPL is a prioritisation mechanism, not a hard block: institutions that exceed their allocation face pressure to limit new enrolments, but students are not turned away at the border based on aggregate numbers.

Public universities and higher education providers hold the largest allocation at 196,750 places — two-thirds of the total national figure. Private colleges and vocational providers share the remainder.

Two groups are exempt from the NPL cap: international students who completed their secondary schooling in Australia, and students entering public universities through approved TAFE or registered pathway programmes. For Nepali students applying directly from Nepal to undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at public universities, the cap applies. Given strong competition, early applications and strong academic records remain important.

Nepal's downgrade to Assessment Level 3 under Australia's Simplified Student Visa Framework — effective 8 January 2026 — adds another layer of scrutiny. Nepali applicants now face more thorough documentation requirements: at least three months of bank statements, detailed source-of-funds evidence, and authenticated transcripts. Processing times range from four to twelve weeks. Families planning around a specific semester intake should allow adequate time and budget for comprehensive documentation preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does the new AUD 4,600 fee apply to?

The fee applies to primary applicants lodging a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) on or after 1 March 2026. Applications lodged before 1 March 2026 were processed under the old AUD 2,300 fee. Pacific Island nation citizens pay a reduced rate of AUD 2,300 regardless of lodge date.

Can I apply for the 485 visa if I am 36 years old?

No. The age cap for the Post-Higher Education Work stream has been reduced to 35 years. Applicants who are 36 or older at the time of application are no longer eligible under this stream, unless they hold citizenship of a Pacific Island nation. You may wish to explore employer-sponsored visa options or state nomination pathways instead.

My IELTS score was 6.0 overall — what should I do before applying?

You will need to resit IELTS and achieve at least 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. The test result must typically be no older than three years at the time of the 485 application. Plan to sit IELTS before your course ends so results are available when you lodge your visa application.

Does Nepal's Assessment Level 3 status affect my 485 application?

Assessment Level 3 affects the student visa (Subclass 500) application, not the 485 directly. However, if your student visa was granted under stricter AL3 scrutiny, your documentation record with the Department of Home Affairs is already established. For the 485, ensure your study completion is evidenced correctly and that you meet the English and age requirements.

Where can Nepali students get official guidance on the 485 changes?

The Australian Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) publishes current fees and eligibility rules. The Australian Embassy in Kathmandu can provide referrals to registered migration agents. IDP Education Nepal and the Australian-Nepal Chamber of Commerce also run periodic information sessions for prospective and current students.