To the Federal Government,

With no prior warning or consultation, on the 1st of March 2026, a mere two weeks before a multitude of student visas are set to expire on the 15th of March 2026, the government hiked the price of the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa from $2,300 to $4,600. This is a doubling of the base fee not inclusive of medical costs and other financial commitments, which would put the required funds to commit being well above $5000. In the midst of the cost of living crisis, this decision has left many International students scrambling to either get the finances in under 2 weeks or give up their dream to pursue work opportunities and head back to their home country.

Using freshly graduated students who are already unstable in their standing as residents as ATMs rather than allowing them to contribute their newly gained skills towards the society that has housed them for the past few years of their lives is a profound betrayal of trust.

We, the undersigned, call on the Federal Government to immediately reverse this exploitative fee increase. 

Our Demands:

1. Reverse the $4600 fee increase immediately, reinstating the previous rate of $2300 for the 2025-2026 cohort. 
2.  Commit to consultation with student unions and education sectors before any future immigration changes that affect international students.

Signed,

Ariya Masud

National Union of Students International Officer