Australia Doubles Application Fee for Subclass 485 PSW Visa in 2026

In a recent announcement, the Australian DHS has increased the post-study work visa (Subclass 485) fee. The fee has increased by 2 times from March 1, 2026! Planning to apply soon? Check out the details.

After the Australia student visa fee increase in 2025, the Subclass 485 visa has also seen an increase. The Subclass 485 Visa fee has not just increased by some percent, it has straightaway doubled, which is a big concern for Indian applicants in Australia. Let us break it down and understand its impact and if it's really worth it here.

Australia Doubles Application Fee for Subclass 485 Visa in 2026

From March 1, 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHS) announced that the Subclass 485 Visa, a post-study work visa, will have a new application fee. The fee has doubled, now standing at AUD 4,600 from AUD 2,300 previously, until February 28, 2026. New graduates will now have to pay AUD 4,600 or INR 2.97 Lakhs (1 AUD - INR 64.58). There are three subtypes of the 485 visa, and they all have a new application filing fee, which is:

What Does it Mean for Indian Students Studying in Australia?

There are approximately 3.4 lakh Indian students currently studying in Australia. Majority of them may want to work post-graduation. Since the application fee for post-study work visa has increased, it could:

• Financially impact Indian applicants who may not be able to afford the fee.
• Staying back in Australia for additional work experience may become the last option.
• Indian students will also face significantly lower ROI.
• Indian graduates will have to pay more for a 485 visa, while there will be tougher competition for fewer available hours in the Australian job market.
• Finally, paying a higher PSW visa will only be beneficial if applicants find a high-paying job in Australia.

Is It Worth It to Apply for Subclass 485 Visa After Fee Increase?

Yes, while the 485 Visa has become more expensive, which can hurt the pocket, there are still some benefits. Indian applicants can still be a part of the Australian workforce with full working rights if they get sponsorship from Australian employers. They can get a PR in Australia through skilled migration visas like Subclass 189, 190 and 491. Getting local work experience will help applicants because Australia still prefers its citizens for entry-level and top-level jobs. So, yes, it will still be worth the money spent on Subclass 485 in Australia for work experience and PR in the end.