TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA (SUBCLASS 485) APPLICATION FEE INCREASE
A 100% fee increase without consultation or notice!
The Australian Government has doubled the application fee for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) from $2,300 to $4,600 effective 1 March 2026.
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 100% 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
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.