Australia Doubles Graduate Visa Fee; New Zealand Opens Luxury Property Market to Investors

Australia has doubled the application fee for its Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to AUD 4,600 from March 1, 2026, making it the highest globally and drawing criticism from students and education groups concerned about affordability. Fees for accompanying dependants have also increased. Meanwhile, New Zealand has eased restrictions for its golden visa holders, allowing them to buy or build homes worth at least NZD 5 million, reopening its luxury property market to wealthy foreign investors after a previous ban.