The 485 subsequent entrant visa fee is the government charge a family member pays to join a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holder after that visa has been granted. The amount is set by Home Affairs, changes by stream and applicant, and went up twice in 2026. Always confirm your exact figure in the official Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
This guide explains what the charge covers, the other costs to budget for, who can apply and how the process works. It also covers a government announcement about family members on graduate visas that could affect your plans.
Important: possible changes to family members on 485 visas. On 17 September 2026, the Minister for Home Affairs said family members would no longer be able to be attached to international student or graduate visas, with some exceptions. As at 2 October 2026, we could not find a law or start date for the 485. Student visa subsequent entrant applications ended on 2 October 2026, but the 485 rules had not changed at that time. The Home Affairs 485 page was updated again on 7 October 2026, so check it before you act.
In This Guide
- What Is a 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa?
- 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa Fee in 2026
- Additional Costs Associated With the Application
- Who Is Eligible for a 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa?
- Documents Required for the Application
- How to Apply for a 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa
- How Long Does the Application Take?
- Frequently Asked Questions About the 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa Fee
- Conclusion: Get Guidance on Your 485 Subsequent Entrant Application
- Official Sources
What Is a 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa?
A subsequent entrant is a family member who applies to join a visa holder after that person’s visa has been granted. For the Temporary Graduate visa, this usually means a partner or child who was not on the original application.
Home Affairs says that if you want to add a family member after your visa is granted, they can apply as a subsequent entrant, either from inside or outside Australia. The family member needs their own application and pays their own charge.
Do not mix this up with two other things:
- Including family in your original 485 application. Family members who are in Australia can be added when you lodge. This is a combined application, not a subsequent entrant application.
- A Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa. This is a second 485 for the main applicant, with its own lower charge. It is not a subsequent entrant visa.
Many websites blur these together, which is one reason the figures you find online do not match.
485 Subsequent Entrant Visa Fee in 2026
The Temporary Graduate visa application charge changed twice in 2026. It roughly doubled on 1 March 2026 for most applicants, then rose again on 1 July 2026. Charges for family members, whether they apply together or join later, rose in the same way.
Here are the 485 charges in force from 1 July 2026 for most applicants, as set out in the amending regulations and reported by legal practitioners.
| Application | Main applicant | Additional applicant, 18 or over | Additional applicant, under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 485, most applicants | AUD $5,750 | AUD $2,875 | AUD $1,450 |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, most applicants | AUD $2,265 | AUD $1,140 | AUD $575 |
| First 485, main applicant holds an eligible Pacific Island or Timor-Leste passport | AUD $2,360 | AUD $1,180 | AUD $595 |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, eligible Pacific Island or Timor-Leste passport | AUD $930 | AUD $465 | AUD $235 |
These are the published 485 charges. They show how much the family-member charges moved. They are not, on their own, the figure a subsequent entrant will pay, because a subsequent entrant lodges a separate application after the visa is granted.
What will a subsequent entrant actually pay?
Your exact 485 subsequent entrant visa fee depends on your stream, your age, your passport and when you lodge. Home Affairs also says its estimator gives an estimate only, based on the details you enter.
[Insert the exact subsequent entrant charge for your scenario from the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator, with the date checked]
To get your figure, open the Visa Pricing Estimator, choose the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and your stream, enter your passport and lodgement date, and answer the questions about additional applicants.
Why you will see different 485 dependent visa fee figures online
When we searched for the 485 dependent visa fee Australia applicants pay, the pages we reviewed quoted a mix of amounts, including figures from before the 2026 increases. Some also treated a second 485 charge as a subsequent entrant charge.
Charges are fixed by the date you lodge. A figure from early 2026, or from before March 2026, will not be right for an application lodged now.
Additional Costs Associated With the Application
The government visa application charge is only part of the cost. Plan for these as well.
| Cost | What to know |
|---|---|
| Health examinations | Home Affairs may ask for these. You pay the panel clinic directly. |
| Police certificates | Adults may need certificates from countries where they have lived. Fees vary by country. |
| Biometrics | These may be requested in some cases, and a fee can apply. |
| Document translations | Needed if documents are not in English. |
| Health insurance | Check whether you need cover for your stay, and what it costs. |
| Professional fees | Optional. Fees differ between advisers, so ask for a written quote. |
Keep government charges and these other costs separate when you budget. It makes the total easier to understand.
Who Is Eligible for a 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa?
The Temporary Graduate visa subsequent entrant pathway is for members of the family unit of a 485 holder. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, and not every family member qualifies automatically.
For 485 subsequent entrant visa eligibility, you generally need to:
- Be the spouse or de facto partner of the 485 holder, or their dependent child.
- Be able to show the relationship, and for a child, that they are dependent.
- Meet the health and character requirements.
- Apply after the main applicant’s 485 visa has been granted.
A subsequent entrant visa is generally linked to the main holder’s visa. It usually ends on the same date. If the main visa holder’s circumstances change, the family member’s position can change too.
Check the current rules carefully. As noted above, the government has announced that family attachment to graduate visas will be restricted, so eligibility may change.
Documents Required for the Application
Home Affairs gives the official checklist for your situation. The documents below are typical.
- Passport for each applicant
- Evidence of the main applicant’s granted 485 visa
- Marriage certificate, or evidence of a de facto relationship
- Birth certificates for children, and evidence of dependency where needed
- Police certificates, where required
- Health examination results, if requested
- Certified translations of any documents not in English
Make sure names, dates and details match across every document. Differences can lead to requests for more information and longer waits.
How to Apply for a 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa
- Check eligibility and the latest rules. Read the Home Affairs 485 page, including any recent updates on family members.
- Estimate your cost. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
- Gather your documents. Collect identity, relationship and character documents first.
- Lodge in ImmiAccount. Start a new application for the Temporary Graduate visa and follow the prompts for a family member joining an existing holder.
- Pay the charge. Make sure you pay the correct amount for your circumstances.
- Complete health and character checks. Do them as soon as you are asked.
- Wait for a decision. Respond quickly to any request for information.
How Long Does the Application Take?
No one can give you a guaranteed time. Home Affairs publishes processing time estimates for each visa in its visa processing times guide. They are based on recently decided applications and are not a promise.
Check the guide for the Temporary Graduate visa on the day you lodge. Your own 485 subsequent entrant processing time can be longer if documents are missing, checks are slow or Home Affairs needs more evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa Fee
1. What is the 485 subsequent entrant visa fee in 2026?
It depends on your stream, age, passport and lodgement date. The 485 charges rose on 1 March 2026 and again on 1 July 2026. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact figure.
2. Is the subsequent entrant fee the same as the additional applicant charge?
Not necessarily. An additional applicant is included in the original application. A subsequent entrant lodges separately after the visa is granted. Confirm the amount for your case in the estimator.
3. Who can apply as a 485 subsequent entrant?
Generally, the spouse or de facto partner of the 485 holder and their dependent children, if they meet the health and character requirements.
4. Can I add my partner after my 485 visa is granted?
Under the rules at the time of our research, yes, through a subsequent entrant application. The government has announced a restriction on family members for graduate visas, but we could not find a law or start date as at 2 October 2026.
5. Is a subsequent entrant visa the same as a second 485 visa?
No. A subsequent entrant is a family member joining the main holder. A Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa is a further 485 for the main applicant, with its own charge.
6. Are lower 485 charges available for some nationalities?
Yes, for eligible citizens of certain Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, lower charges apply. The exemption does not cover all nationalities.
7. How long does a 485 subsequent entrant application take?
There is no fixed time. Check the Home Affairs visa processing times guide, and remember that estimates are not guarantees.
8. Can a 485 subsequent entrant application be refused?
Yes. Relationship evidence, health, character and eligibility issues can all lead to refusal. Each application is assessed individually.
Conclusion: Get Guidance on Your 485 Subsequent Entrant Application
The 485 subsequent entrant visa fee has risen sharply in 2026, and the amount you pay depends on your stream, your circumstances and your lodgement date. Treat any old figure online with caution, and confirm your exact cost in the official estimator.
Budget for the extra costs too, such as health checks, police certificates and translations. Keep an eye on the announced changes to family members on graduate visas, because the rules may change.
If you are unsure how these rules apply to your family, speaking with a migration agent Australia families can approach may help you plan the timing. Asia Pacific Group (APG) can discuss your circumstances and the options that may be available. No adviser can guarantee a visa outcome or a faster decision, but getting the details right before you lodge can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Official Sources
- Department of Home Affairs: Current visa pricing table
- Department of Home Affairs: Visa pricing estimator
- Department of Home Affairs: Temporary Graduate visa, Post-Higher Education Work stream
- Department of Home Affairs: Visa processing times
- Federal Register of Legislation: Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026
- Minister for Home Affairs: National Press Club speech, 17 September 2026
Important: This article provides general information only. Visa charges, eligibility rules and processing times change, and announced policy changes may become law. Your eligibility and costs depend on your individual circumstances. Always check the latest information on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you lodge an application. For advice about your situation, consider speaking with a registered migration agent or qualified legal professional.
