Immigration Update · March 2026 · Verified & Sourced
Three major immigration changes were announced in Australia in the second week of March 2026. If you are an international student, a recent graduate, or a parent whose child is studying in Australia — these updates affect you directly.
Quick Summary of the 3 Changes
| Change | What Happened | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| 485 Visa Fee Doubled | Fee increased from AUD $2,300 to AUD $4,600 | 1 March 2026 |
| 407 Training Visa Rule Change | Nomination must be approved before lodging visa | 11 March 2026 |
| Minister's New Entry Power | Can temporarily block entry for certain groups offshore | 12 March 2026 |
Now let us explain each one in simple words — with real examples — so you know exactly what to do.
Change 1 — 485 Visa Fee Doubled to AUD $4,600
What is the 485 Visa?
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is the visa that lets international students stay and work in Australia after finishing their studies. It is one of the most important steps for students who want to gain work experience and eventually apply for permanent residency (PR) in Australia.
What Changed?
On 1 March 2026, without any prior warning, the Australian Government doubled the 485 visa application fee.
| Applicant Type | Old Fee | New Fee (from 1 March 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant (primary) | AUD $2,300 | AUD $4,600 |
| Partner / adult dependent | AUD $1,150 | AUD $2,300 |
| Dependent child (under 18) | AUD $580 | AUD $1,150 |
| Couple applying together | AUD $3,450 | AUD $6,900 |
Important: If you already lodged your 485 visa application before 1 March 2026, you are safe. You will be charged the old rate of $2,300 — even if the decision comes later.
Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders continue to pay a lower reduced rate.
Why Did Australia Do This?
The Department of Home Affairs says this increase is to "restore integrity" to the post-study work route. The government believes many graduates were using the 485 visa as a default extension without a genuine long-term plan. The extra money will fund stronger Genuine Student (GS) assessments and compliance checks.
🔔 Also New: Two-Course Rule is Now Official Policy
Many students combine two CRICOS-registered courses to meet the 92-week (2-year) Australian Study Requirement for the 485 visa. The government has now formalised the rules for this.
The rule: The second course must start in the same academic year or the next academic year after the first course ends. If there was a gap between the two courses, that gap must have been officially approved by your education provider.
Real Examples to Understand the Two-Course Rule
✅ Accepted Example
Course 1: Diploma — Feb 2024 to Dec 2024
Course 2: Advanced Diploma — Feb 2025 to Dec 2025
Second course started in the next academic year — this is fine.
❌ Problem Example
Course 1: Diploma — 2023
Gap year: 2024 (not approved)
Course 2: Advanced Diploma — 2025
Gap was not approved — this can lead to 485 refusal.
What You Should Do
- Budget AUD $4,600 for your 485 visa application
- Apply within 6 months of your course completion date — this deadline is strict
- If you used two courses, check with your education provider that there are no unapproved gaps on record
- Make sure all your courses are CRICOS-registered and were completed in Australia on a valid Student Visa
- Prepare your English test result (IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band — or PTE equivalent), taken within the last 12 months
Change 2 — 407 Training Visa: You Must Wait for Approval Before Applying
What is the 407 Training Visa?
The Training Visa (Subclass 407) allows people to come to Australia for structured, workplace-based professional training. It is commonly used by recent graduates and early-career professionals who need to complete a formal training program in Australia — for example, for professional registration in fields like nursing, engineering, or accounting.
What Changed?
From 11 March 2026, the application steps changed completely under the Migration Amendment (Training Visas — Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026. You can no longer submit the nomination and visa application at the same time.
| Old Process (before 11 March 2026) | New Process (from 11 March 2026) |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Lodge sponsorship application | Step 1: Lodge sponsorship application |
| Step 2: Lodge nomination application | Step 2: Wait for sponsorship to be APPROVED |
| Step 3: Lodge visa application | Step 3: Lodge nomination application |
| All three could be submitted on the same day | Step 4: Wait for nomination to be APPROVED Only now can you lodge the visa ✓ |
If you lodge the visa before the nomination is approved, the Department of Home Affairs will treat the application as invalid, refund the visa fee — and no Bridging Visa will be issued.
Why Is the Bridging Visa So Important?
A Bridging Visa allows you to stay legally in Australia while your visa application is being processed. Under the old system, lodging everything on the same day meant you received a Bridging Visa immediately and could stay safely.
Under the new system, if your current visa expires while you are waiting for the nomination to be approved, you could be left without a valid visa — because the Bridging Visa is only issued after a valid visa application is lodged.
A Simple Example
Scenario: An engineering graduate from Kerala on a Student Visa expiring in June 2026
❌ Old approach (no longer works): In May 2026, employer lodges sponsorship + nomination + visa all at once. Bridging Visa issued immediately. Student stays safely.
✅ New correct approach: Employer lodges sponsorship in February, waits for approval (weeks to months), then lodges nomination, waits for approval, then student lodges visa. Must be fully done before the June expiry to get a Bridging Visa.
What You Should Do
- Start the sponsorship and nomination process at least 4 to 6 months before your current visa expires
- Do not wait — sponsorship and nomination approvals can each take weeks to months
- If your visa is expiring soon and you are planning a 407 visa, speak to a migration agent immediately
- Applications lodged before 11 March 2026 continue under the old rules — only new applications are affected
Change 3 — Minister Gets New Power to Temporarily Block Entry to Australia
What Happened?
On 12 March 2026, the Australian Parliament passed the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026. This new law gives the Minister for Home Affairs a tool called an Arrival Control Determination.
What Does It Actually Mean?
The minister can now temporarily suspend travel to Australia for a specific group of temporary visa holders who are outside the country. This is not the same as cancelling a visa. The visa itself stays valid. However, the holder may be prevented from physically entering Australia for a period of time.
Key Facts About This New Power
- Applies only to temporary visa holders (student, tourist, training visas etc.) — NOT permanent visas
- Only applies to people outside Australia at the time of the determination
- People already inside Australia are completely unaffected
- Each determination lasts a maximum of 6 months (but can be renewed)
- Immediate family of Australian citizens or permanent residents are exempt
- Parents of children under 18 who are in Australia are also exempt
- Individual exceptions may be granted through a Permitted Travel Certificate
- The Minister needs written agreement from the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister
Why Was This Introduced?
The government pointed to the current situation in the Middle East as an example. The idea is that if a conflict or crisis happens in a region, some people with temporary Australian visas might come to Australia and then not leave when their visa expires — because it is no longer safe to go back. This law gives Australia the ability to manage that risk quickly, without going through a long legal process each time.
Does This Affect Indian or GCC Students?
At the time of writing, no determination has been made against Indian or GCC nationals. This power is currently aimed at managing situations in specific crisis regions. For genuine students already studying in Australia, this change has no direct impact.
However, if you are a student or family member currently outside Australia planning to travel on a temporary visa, it is worth staying aware of any travel advisories from the Department of Home Affairs.
A Simple Example
Scenario: A student from a conflict-affected country holds a valid Australian Student Visa but is currently at home during a semester break
If a crisis escalates in that country and the minister issues an Arrival Control Determination for that nationality group, the student's visa is NOT cancelled — but they cannot board a flight to Australia until the determination is lifted or they receive a Permitted Travel Certificate. Students already on campus in Australia are completely unaffected.
What Should You Do Right Now?
- ✅ Planning a 485 visa? Budget AUD $4,600 and apply within 6 months of completing your course
- ✅ Used two courses for 485 eligibility? Check with your education provider that there are no unapproved gaps on your record
- ✅ Planning a 407 Training Visa? Start the sponsorship and nomination process now — at least 4 to 6 months before your current visa expires
- ✅ Currently outside Australia on a temporary visa? Monitor the Department of Home Affairs website for any travel advisories
- ✅ Not sure what visa pathway is right for you? Speak to a QEAC-certified education counsellor before making any decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Help With Your Australia Study Plans or Visa?
Guide to Heights is a QEAC-certified and British Council-recognised study abroad consultancy with offices in Kochi (Kerala), Sharjah (UAE), and Melbourne (Australia). Our counsellors stay updated on every immigration change — so you don't have to figure it out alone.
We help students and families with university admissions in Australia, UK, New Zealand and Germany — plus complete visa documentation, Genuine Student (GS) compliance, 485 post-study visa guidance, PTE/IELTS preparation, and pre-departure support.
📞 India & GCC: +91 73065 83820 | 🌐 guidetoheights.com
Sources & References
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026, passed 12 March 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) fee increase, effective 1 March 2026
- Migration Amendment (Training Visas — Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026, registered 10 March 2026, effective 11 March 2026
- Senate Debates, OpenAustralia.org — 11 March 2026, Migration Amendment Bill 2026
- ICEF Monitor — Australia doubles post-study work visa application fee, March 2026
This content is for general information purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Immigration policies change frequently. Please consult a registered migration agent or QEAC-certified education counsellor for advice specific to your situation.