Bring Your Family With You to Australia
Planning to study in Australia and want to understand whether your partner or family members can join you? Success Education Consultants can help you understand the Student Dependent Visa Australia process and your available options.
Can I Add My Partner to My Student Visa?
Students often ask whether it is possible to add their boyfriend, girlfriend or partner as a secondary applicant to their student visa.
The answer may be yes, depending on your individual circumstances. A partner may be added as a secondary applicant before or after the main applicant has applied for a student visa, subject to the applicable requirements.
Whether your partner can be added to your Australian Student Visa depends on your specific circumstances and supporting evidence.
Main Reasons to Be Added as a Secondary Applicant
Some common reasons include:
Avoid Paying Tuition Fees for a Separate Course
If you do not want to pay course tuition fees to study a separate course.
A New Relationship
If you have started a relationship with a new partner and do not want to return home.
Your Partner Is Still Studying
If you have finished your course and your partner still has time remaining on their course.
Case Study
We previously assisted a French client who wanted to be added as a secondary applicant to her partner’s student visa.
She had met an Argentinian man in Australia and they began a relationship. The French client was on a Working Holiday Visa that was due to expire, while her partner held a Student Visa and had approximately 18 months remaining on his course.
Neither partner had listed the other as a de facto partner on their previous visa applications. With the required supporting documents, the French client successfully made a separate application to be added as a secondary applicant to her partner’s Student Visa without cancelling his original visa. Her application was granted approximately three weeks after submission.
She was granted a secondary applicant Student Visa with limited work rights, and her visa expiry date matched her partner’s Student Visa expiry date.
Types of Dependent Visas
Subclass
500 Dependent
Student Visa
This visa allows eligible spouses and children to accompany a Student Visa holder, subject to the relevant requirements.
Subclass
590
Student Guardian Visa
This visa is for eligible parents or legal guardians of students under 18 who will be studying for more than 12 months.
Eligibility for Student Dependent Visas
To be eligible, family members may include:
- Spouse or Partner
- Unmarried Children under 18
- Older dependent children in applicable circumstances, including certain unmarried children between 18 and 25 who are studying full-time and financially dependent
- Adult children with a disability requiring significant care and support, where applicable
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Valid Student Visa
The main applicant must hold a valid Subclass 500 Student Visa.
Genuine Relationship
Applicants may need to demonstrate a genuine and continuing relationship through relevant supporting evidence.
Financial Requirements
Evidence of sufficient funds may be required to support the main applicant and eligible dependents during their stay.
Health Requirements
Some dependents may need to complete health checks to meet the applicable visa requirements.
Student Dependent Visa Application Process
Check Eligibility
Make sure the main applicant and dependents meet the relevant eligibility criteria and review whether any exemptions or exceptions apply to your circumstances.
Choose Your Application Method
Applications can be completed online, or applicants may seek assistance from a registered migration professional.
Gather Required Documents
Depending on your circumstances, documents may include:
- Valid passports
- Identification documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificate or partner declaration
- Evidence of your relationship
- Financial support documents
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Education documents where applicable
- Health documents if requested
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Submit Your Application
Submit the application and required supporting documents through the applicable application process.
Application Processing
Processing times can vary depending on individual circumstances and the application.
Costs and Fees
Student Dependent Visa costs can include visa application fees, health insurance, living expenses and travel costs.Visa application fees can vary, so applicants should check the applicable requirements and current fees before applying.
Working Conditions for Student Dependents
Working conditions for dependents can depend on factors such as the level of the main student’s course and the type of dependent.
Master’s by Research or Doctoral Degree
The source content states that a partner or spouse may have unlimited work rights in this situation.
Bachelor’s Degree or Other Courses
The source content states that a partner or spouse may generally work 48 hours per fortnight during semesters and full-time during semester breaks.Dependents must comply with all applicable visa conditions, including relevant tax and reporting obligations
Additional Considerations
Healthcare
Dependents may need appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Cultural & Language Differences
Families should also prepare for cultural adjustments and possible language barriers when moving to Australia.
Education
Children may attend school in Australia, with applicable fees and requirements.
Start Your Student Dependent Visa Journey
Bringing eligible family members with you can allow you to share your study journey in Australia with your loved ones. Success Education Consultants can help you understand the Student Dependent Visa Australia process, documentation and available options based on your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
The outcome can depend on the visa conditions and individual circumstances.
The source case study describes a separate secondary applicant application being made without cancelling the main applicant's original Student Visa. Individual circumstances may differ.
Eligibility depends on the relevant visa and individual circumstances.
If there is a possibility that you may want to add your partner as a secondary applicant later, the original content recommends considering whether they should be listed as a de facto partner on the initial Student Visa application. If they were not listed initially, the future application process may become more complex.
Costs can vary depending on the application and applicable requirements.
This depends on your individual circumstances and supporting evidence
Work rights depend on the applicable visa conditions and individual circumstances.