International students hoping to stay and work in Australia after graduating from the Australian National University will now have to pay $4,600 for a Temporary Graduate visa, after the federal government doubled the application fee earlier this month.

The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who complete a degree in Australia to remain in the country temporarily and gain work experience. The application fee increased from $2,300 to $4,600 and took effect immediately. The sudden increase has raised concerns among international students and student representatives, who say the change could make it harder for graduates to transition into the Australian workforce.

In a statement released this week, the ANU International Students’ Department (ISD) said the graduate visa plays an important role in allowing students trained in Australian universities to contribute to the country’s economy. The ISD also criticised the short notice given before the policy came into effect. According to the statement, the legislative instrument introducing the new fee was registered just one day before the increase began, leaving students little time to adjust their plans.

The ISD pointed out that international education remains one of Australia’s largest export sectors, generating $53.6 billion in 2024–25. It also noted that Australia continues to face labour shortages in a number of sectors, including healthcare and education, where international graduates often find employment.

The new visa fee is significantly higher than similar post-study work visas in other major study destinations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. ANUSA Postgraduate Officer Kamal Hassan said the change could have a particularly strong impact on postgraduate students.

“Many postgraduate students come to Australia expecting that they will be able to gain work experience after completing their degree,” Hassan told Woroni. “For master’s students especially, the Temporary Graduate visa is often part of their overall study plan.”

Hassan said postgraduate degrees are often shorter and more expensive than undergraduate programs, which means graduates may already face financial pressure by the time they finish their studies.

“A sudden increase like this makes the transition from study to work more difficult,” he said. Hassan added that while the policy affects all international graduates, postgraduate students may feel the impact more directly because they often rely on the visa to enter the workforce soon after graduation.

Student representatives have called on the federal government to reconsider the increase or introduce protections for students who began their studies before the change was announced. They say the decision risks making Australia a less attractive destination for international students who are considering where to study and work after graduation.