TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA (SUBCLASS 485) APPLICATION FEE INCREASE
A 150% fee increase without consultation or notice!
On 1 March 2026, the Australian Government has doubled the application fee for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) from $2,300 to $4,600. Just four months later, from 1 July 2026, the fee was increased again to $5,750 without prior notice. As a result, the cost of applying for a 485 visa has risen by 150% since the beginning of the year, placing a significant financial burden on international graduates seeking to live and work in Australia.
This is the visa that allows international graduates to remain in Australia and work after completing their degree. For many of Monash's 18,000 international graduate students, it is a critical step in their career and migration pathway.
A 150% fee increase - without consultation or notice - places an enormous financial burden on graduates who are already navigating high tuition fees, cost of living pressures, and an uncertain job market.
The MGA is deeply concerned about the impact this will have on our international graduate community and have since taken action to address this issue.
CAMPAIGN UPDATES
Latest campaign overview and next steps
The MGA has continued to advocate strongly for international graduate students following the sudden changes to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, particularly the overnight increase in the application fee from $2300 to $4600, and then just four months later, a further increase to $5,750.
We heard from many international students about the financial burden this increase has created and the uncertainty it has caused for those planning to remain in Australia after completing their studies.
To ensure your concerns were heard, we produced a comprehensive policy report outlining the impact of the fee increase on international students, Australia's international education sector, and the country's workforce, which relies on skilled graduates to address critical labour shortages. The report was submitted to the Ministers for Home Affairs and International Education, and we received an official response from Assistant Minister for International Education, Julian Hill. This demonstrated that Monash international graduate students have a strong and credible voice in national policy discussions.
We also took our advocacy directly to Canberra's representatives at the local level, meeting with three Federal Labor MPs whose electorates include Monash campuses. We shared experiences and concerns of our members, and all three MPs committed to raising the issue with the Government. Since then, they have written to Ministers and used internal party channels to advocate on behalf of Monash's international graduate students.
While the Government has indicated that reversing the fee increase is unlikely, our discussions have shifted the focus towards creating greater certainty and accountability around future visa pricing. Our local MPs have advocated for safeguards to prevent such significant and unexpected fee increases from occurring again.
Ultimately, this campaign is about ensuring international students can make informed decisions about studying in Australia. The cost of a graduate visa is a key factor when choosing where to study, and students deserve confidence that visa settings will remain stable and predictable throughout the course of their degree. We will continue advocating for a fairer and more transparent system on behalf of our members.
Parliamentary Update - Greens Disallowance Motion
On 22 June, Australian Greens Senators Mehreen Faruqi and David Shoebridge introduced a disallowance motion in the Senate seeking to overturn the increase to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa application fee.
For the motion to pass, it required the support of a majority of senators in the 76-seat chamber. While the Greens supported the motion, they were only joined by Independent Senator David Pocock, meaning the motion did not receive enough votes and was ultimately defeated.
Although the outcome was disappointing, the motion ensured the issue was debated in Parliament and highlighted the significant financial impact the fee increase has had on international students. You can read the speeches and see the vote tallies here.
Meeting with Sarah Witty MP
As part of our ongoing advocacy on behalf of graduate students, MGA met with Sarah Witty MP, Federal Member for melbourne, in June to discuss the significant increase in the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa application fee.
Representing an electorate with one of the highest concerntrations of international students in Australia, Sarah recognises the vital contribution international students make to their universities, communities, and the broader economy. During our meeting, we highlighted the financial impact of the fee increase and the challenges students face due to the lack of transparency around how visa pricing decisions are made.
The discussion was constructive and encouraging. Sarah acknowledged that the absence of clear guidelines and advance notice makes it difficult for students to plan their futures with confidence. She also committed to working alongside local federal representatives Jodie Belyea MP and Josh Burns MP to ensure the concerns of Monash international students are heard in Canberra.
Jodie Belyea's MP letter to the Australian Minister of Home Affairs
Earlier this month, we met with Jodie Belyea to discuss the impact of the recent increase to the 485 visa application fee on international students at Monash. The meeting was constructive and positive, with Jodie committing to seek further clarification on why the fee was doubled with such little notice.
Following the meeting, Jodie wrote to the Australian Minister for Home Affairs and the Assistant Minister for International Education, requesting an explanation for the sudden increase. In her letter, she highlighted the financial pressure this has placed on students and recognised the important contribution international students make to the Australian workforce. You can read the full letter here.
This is an important step in our advocacy efforts, as the ministers will now be required to provide a formal written response. MGA will continue working closely with Jodie's office to ensure the voices of international students are heard.
Meeting with Josh Burns MP
On 20 May, MGAEC members Troy Lau and Hanny Chatarina joined Campaigns Officer, Jack Kennedy, to meet with Josh to discuss the significant impact the recent fee increase is having on international students. We shared testimonials from Monash graduate students and advocated for a full reversal of the increase.
Josh Burns, the Federal Member for Macnamara (which includes Monash University's Caulfield campus), is also a former Monash student and spoke fondly of his time at the university. He acknowledged that the lack of communication around the fee change has created uncertainty for students, making it difficult to plan ahead given the possibility of further increases. He noted that, at a minimum, students need greater clarity on how and when the application fee is determined in the future, so they are not left with only short notice of major changes.
Meeting with Jodie Belyea
On 6 May, MGA representatives Jason Yeung (Peninsula Campus Representative), Hanny Chatarina (International Students Officer), and Jack Kennedy (Campaigns Officer) met with Jodie Belyea to discuss the impact of recent via fee increases on Monash international students.
Representing the electorate that includes Monash Peninsula Campus, Jodie recognises the important contribution international students make to both the local community and Australia's future workforce -- particulaly in fields such as allied health and education, where critical skills shortages continue nationwide.
During the meeting, MGA highlighted concerns that rising costs may discourage talented international graduates from remaining in Australia after completing their studies, despite the years they have invested in building their education, skills, and future here.
Jodie was highly supportive of the campaign and acknowledged the value international students bring to the Peninsula community.
This meeting is one of several engagements MGA has secured with elected representatives as part of our ongoing advocacy to ensure international student voices are heard.
Engaging our representatives
The MGA has been actively engaging with senior federal decision-makers, including the Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs, as well as local Members of Parliament across all four major Monash campuses. In these discussions, we have highlighted the significant impact these issues are having on international students within their electorates.
As part of this advocacy, two Members of Parliament have agreed to meet with a delegation of students to hear directly about these impacts. These include Josh Burns, Member for Macnamara (covering the Caulfield campus), and Jodie Belyea, Member for Dunkley (which includes the Peninsula campus). These meetings, scheduled for May, will provide an important opportunity for students to share their experiences directly with federal representatives.
Lobbying Federal Government Ministers
Since the Australian Government doubled the cost of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa in March, we have heard from many international students about the significant financial pressure this has created and the impact on future plans to remain in Australia.
In response, the MGA has been actively advocating for a reversal of the fee increase for all international students. This has included direct lobbying of Members of the Parliament. We have highlighted concerns that the change was introduced without consultation and with little notice, leaving soon-to-graduate students with limited time to prepare for the increased cost.
We subsequently received an official response from the Hon Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for International Education. This Minister acknowledged our concerns, particularly regarding the timing of the change, and confirmed that feedback has been forwraded to the Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for setting visa application fees.
While this response does not change the current fee, the MGA will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of international students and ensure your voices are represented. We have also arranged face-to-face meetings with local representatives so student advocates can raise these concerns directly with decision-makers.
Read full response letter from Hon Julian Hill, MP here.
The research driving the campaign
To support meaningful engagement with federal policymakers, the MGA conducted detailed research into the potential impacts of the doubling of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa application fee, resulting in a comprehensive policy report.
The report outlines the significant contribution international students make to Australia, both during their studies and as graduates who help address critical workforce shortages. It argues that the substantial fee increase is not only inequitable, but also poor policy, as it undermines the Government's efforts to alleviate skills shortages in key sectors such as healthcare and education.
It also highlights that in an increasingly competitive global market for international talent, higher visa costs risk reducing Australia's attractiveness as a study and migration destination.
The MGA also offers visa support through our Migration Support Hub for students who need assistance with visa-related matters.
Have questions, contributions, or ideas for lobbying? Get in touch with our Campaigns Officer, Jack Kennedy (jack.kennedy@monash.edu) to get involved in our advocacy efforts.