Bringing Dependants on a Student Visa: Can Your Family Come Too?
Who is a dependant (secondary applicant)?
When you apply for a subclass 500 visa, you can bring a dependant to Australia with you as a secondary applicant on the same visa application. Recognised dependants include:
- A legally married spouse — the marriage must be legally recognised
- A de facto partner — someone you have lived with in a stable relationship for at least 12 months (you may need to provide evidence)
- Dependent children — usually under 18 years old, or under 23 years old if they are studying full time and are financially dependent on a parent
Dependants are granted a secondary visa whose duration is tied to the student’s primary visa.
Conditions for bringing a dependant
Not every subclass 500 student is automatically allowed to bring a dependant. DHA considers:
Level of study: Dependants are generally allowed to accompany you if you are studying at Bachelor level or above, or at Master/PhD level. For some lower-level programs (Diploma, Certificate), this right may be limited or not granted.
Finances: You must demonstrate enough funds for both the student and the dependant — not just for yourself. DHA has a minimum living-cost requirement that adds an amount for a partner and for each additional child on top of the base figure.
OSHC for dependants: Dependants must have their own OSHC coverage or be included in a family OSHC policy — an additional cost that is often overlooked at the planning stage.
A partner’s work rights
An accompanying partner generally has the right to work in Australia — an important point for many families. However, the work rights and any hour limit depend on:
- The primary student’s level of study (Master/PhD often means unrestricted work rights for the dependant; Bachelor may be subject to a limit)
- The specific conditions on the visa that is granted
Check the conditions on the dependant’s visa grant letter when the visa is granted — they are not all the same.
Children studying in Australia
An accompanying child under 18 years old has the right to attend school in Australia. However:
- Government schools: In most states, the children of international students must pay tuition fees to attend a government school — they are not fee-free as the children of citizens/permanent residents are. Government school fees for international students are considerable.
- Private schools: Tuition is higher, but some private schools have more flexible fee arrangements for special situations.
School fees for children in Australia are a cost that is often left out of financial planning entirely. If you have school-age children, budget for this before deciding to bring the whole family.
The real cost of having dependants
Adding a dependant increases costs significantly:
Visa application charge: The secondary applicant charge is added to the primary visa charge — check the current VAC schedule on the DHA website.
Family OSHC: Much more expensive than single OSHC. Budget for it and include it in the financial evidence you show DHA.
Living-cost evidence: DHA requires evidence of enough funds for the whole family — the minimum rises with the number of dependants.
Children’s school fees: See above — this is often the largest overlooked item.
Real living costs: Renting for a larger family costs considerably more than renting a single room. Your real costs will be higher than the DHA minimum requirement.
How do you apply for a dependant?
A secondary applicant is added to the primary student’s subclass 500 application — they can be lodged at the same time, or after the primary visa is granted (join later). If applying later:
- The secondary applicant lodges a separate application that references the student’s primary visa
- The conditions and financial requirements still have to be met
If a dependant wants to come later (for example, the student goes first and the partner arranges work before following), this is a perfectly workable option — but it needs to be planned early to allow enough time for visa processing.