485 Visa Fee Rise & 189 Quotas [2025–2026 Guide]

Sudden 485 Visa Fee Increase to $4,600 AUD Takes Effect

The primary application fee for a first Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa has increased to $4,600 AUD, effective from March 1, 2026. This change was enacted via legislative instrument on February 19th but only became publicly visible on the Department of Home Affairs website over the weekend of February 28th-March 1st, with no prior announcement or warning. The only hint was a temporary suspension of BPAY payments for 485 visas between February 21-28 for “system upgrades.”

The new fee structure is as follows:

• First 485 Visa (Post-Study Work stream): Primary applicant $4,600 AUD; adult secondary applicant $2,300 AUD; child secondary applicant $1,160 AUD.
• Second 485 Visa (Regional): Primary applicant $1,810 AUD; adult secondary applicant $910 AUD; child secondary applicant $460 AUD.
• Subsequent Entrant (joining after primary applicant’s grant): $4,600 AUD.

This sharp increase fundamentally alters the cost-benefit analysis of the post-study work pathway. The “trial cost” for applicants has risen dramatically, making it imperative to be fully prepared before lodging an application. As migration agents have noted, applicants must now ensure they have a valid English test (typically IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) and all required documents ready to avoid costly mistakes. Relying on DIY applications without professional guidance carries a much higher financial risk. For tools to assess your English level and prepare accurately, consult resources like the English Level Guide{:target=“_blank”}.

External Reference: The immediate nature of this fee hike has been widely reported, with outlets like auyx.au confirming the change took effect on March 1, 2026, catching many applicants by surprise.

Full 2025-26 189 Independent Skilled Visa Quotas Published

Official data obtained from the Department of Home Affairs has revealed the total number of invitations allocated to each occupation group (ANZSCO 4-digit level) for the 2025-26 Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa program. This provides unprecedented clarity for candidates waiting in the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool, allowing them to gauge their realistic chances for the remainder of the program year.

The data shows Nursing (ANZSCO 2544) has the largest allocation by far, with 10,390 spots—the only occupation group to exceed 10,000 invitations. Other key allocations include Secondary School Teachers (2,837), Early Childhood Teachers (1,027), and Social Workers (876). Critically, several in-demand occupations have been allocated zero invitations for this program year, including Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, and Electrical Engineers, Automotive Electricians, Chefs (major groups 2613, 2611, 2631, 2621), Accountants, and Auditors.

It is crucial to understand that these are theoretical maximums. The Department retains significant discretion to issue fewer or, in some cases, more invitations than the allocated quota. Analysis of the August and November 2025 invitation rounds suggests some occupations have already exceeded their nominal quota, including Carpenters (over by 700+), University Lecturers (over by 200+), and Painters (over by nearly 200). This indicates the Department is dynamically managing the program based on application quality and broader policy goals.

With the program year ending June 30, 2026, and a remaining visa allocation gap, analysts remain “cautiously optimistic” that at least one more 189 invitation round will occur before July, though the number of invites is expected to be limited. To understand how your profile stacks up, using a precise tool like NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor{:target=“_blank”} can provide data-driven insights based on the latest quotas and historical trends.

State Nomination Round-Up: WA’s Massive Haul, NSW Teases, TAS Steady

State and territory governments remain the most active pathway for skilled migrants in early 2026, with Western Australia leading the charge through a massive pre-invitation round.

Western Australia issued approximately 2,400 pre-invitations across two days in late February, marking the largest single state nomination round of the year so far. The first day targeted construction trades (e.g., Carpenters, Plumbers) with scores around 65 points, largely inviting applicants from other states and overseas. The second day focused on other priority occupations. Key invitation scores included:

• Schedule 2: Architects, Construction Project Managers, Secondary Teachers (~80 points).
• Other Hot Occupations: Social Workers (85 points), Civil Engineers (100 points), Early Childhood Teachers (80 points, with one reported case at 75+5 points).
• Schedule 1 (Nursing): 85-90 points.
• Graduate Streams: Generally around 80 points for higher education, with VET pathways like Enrolled Nurses (EN) receiving invites at 75 points.

The clear message is that WA is aggressively targeting skilled workers, especially in construction. Applicants with occupations on WA’s priority lists, particularly those from interstate or overseas, are strongly encouraged to submit an EOI. The state has a three-month residency requirement for 2025-26 nominations.

New South Wales has provided an advance notice that its next Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa invitation round is scheduled for the first week of March 2026. The state government has urged candidates to ensure their skills assessments, points claims, and EOIs are current and valid.

Tasmania continues its predictable invitation pattern, issuing 40 invitations for the 190 visa and 24 for the 491 visa in its late-February round. Minimum scores were 47 and 41 points, respectively. The state still has significant quota remaining (629 for 190, 154 for 491), but processing delays mean the pace of issued invitations remains measured.

Employer Sponsorship Salary Threshold (TSMIT) Set to Rise to $79,499

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), the minimum salary for most employer-sponsored visas (subclass 482 and 186), is confirmed to increase to $79,499 AUD from July 1, 2026. This represents an annual increase of approximately 3.9% from the current $76,515 AUD.

This scheduled increase is a standard annual adjustment indexed to wage growth. For employers and prospective applicants, the implication is clear: nominations lodged and paid for before July 1, 2026, will be assessed against the current TSMIT of $76,515. Any nomination lodged on or after July 1 must meet the new $79,499 threshold. This creates a strategic window for those with pending applications or job offers to finalise and lodge their nominations before the deadline to lock in the lower salary requirement.

Visa Processing Trends: 190/491 Accelerate, 189 Focuses on Backlog

Latest Freedom of Information (FOI) data up to January 31, 2026, reveals positive processing trends for state-nominated visas, while the 189 pipeline continues to be managed cautiously.

• Skilled Independent (189) Visa: Processing has ramped up, with over 1,800 grants in January alone. The focus is on applications from the August and November 2025 invitation rounds. The data supports the analyst prediction of at least one more invitation round this program year, based on the remaining visa allocation (“gap”) and the Department’s historical tendency to maintain a certain backlog level.
• Skilled Nominated (190) Visa: Both lodgements and grants hit program year highs in January. Grants exceeded 3,000 for the first time, reducing the overall pipeline to around 23,000. The Department is processing applications from a wide date range, with significant grants from late 2024 and mid-2025 cohorts.
• Skilled Work Regional (491) Visa: Grants rebounded to over 2,100 in January after a dip in December, reducing the total backlog to 20,556. The processing pattern is similar to the 190, with cases being selected from across various lodgement months.

These figures indicate the Department is making concerted efforts to process state-nominated visas efficiently, which is good news for applicants who have already received an invitation. For those still building their profile, accurately calculating your points with a tool like the EOI Points Calculator{:target=“_blank”} is more critical than ever to remain competitive.

The first week of March 2026 has delivered pivotal updates for anyone navigating the Australian migration system. The sudden 485 fee hike underscores the importance of financial and preparatory readiness. The publication of 189 quotas provides much-needed transparency, while the active state nomination programs—led by Western Australia’s aggressive recruitment—present tangible opportunities. The confirmed TSMIT increase serves as a deadline for employer-sponsored pathways. In a landscape where costs are rising and rules are shifting, staying informed with accurate, real-time data and strategic advice is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Proactive planning and precise preparation are your most valuable assets.

Ready to navigate these changes with confidence? Explore your options with data-driven tools and expert guidance. Start your assessment with NovenAI today{:target=“_blank”}.