Australia raises student and graduate visa fees again

Australia raised visa fees again on July 1, 2026. If you plan to study there, or you just finished a degree and want to stay for work, your upfront visa cost went up.

This is a news summary, not legal advice. Fees can change. Check the official site before you pay.

What changed

• Student visa (Subclass 500): the fee went from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500. That is about a 25% jump in one step, The PIE News reported.
• Post-study work visa (Subclass 485): the fee is now AUD 5,750. That is the visa many grads use to work in Australia after their degree.
• Some students pay less. ASEAN students, study-abroad students, and people on short English courses pay AUD 2,050 instead of the full AUD 2,500.
• Pacific Island students still pay AUD 745.
• The trend is steep. Sector groups say the student visa fee was AUD 745 about two years ago. One body put the total rise at about 252% in just over two years.
• Schools are worried. Industry groups say higher fees, plus more refusals, may push students toward Canada, the UK, or New Zealand instead.

What you still need

The fee hike does not replace the normal student visa rules. You still need to show you qualify:

• A real course offer from an approved school.
• Enough money for tuition, living costs, and travel.
• Health insurance for your stay.
• English level and school records that match your course.
• A clean application. Australia has refused more student visas in recent years, and the fee is not refunded if you are denied.

Budget the new visa fee on top of tuition and rent. A refused file still costs you the application charge.

Who this affects

• New international students applying for a Subclass 500 visa from July 1, 2026.
• English-language students on short courses. You get a small discount, but you still pay far more than in 2024.
• Recent grads who want a Subclass 485 post-study work visa. The AUD 5,750 fee is a big upfront cost.
• Families comparing countries. If Australia was your top pick, run the numbers against New Zealand or Canada before you commit.

What to do next

1. Check Australia's Department of Home Affairs for the fee table on your exact visa type and nationality.
2. Open our Australia country page and use Compare against your backup country.
3. If you are choosing between close options, read Australia vs New Zealand or Australia vs Canada.

News summary only, not legal advice. Embassies and schools can still say no. Confirm fees and rules on the official site before you apply.