Student Visa for Dependants

For Student visa purposes, family members generally include the student’s partner and the student’s or partner’s dependent child who is unmarried and has not turned 18. Specific circumstances should be checked against the current visa rules.

Existing family members should be declared in the Student visa application even if they do not intend to travel to Australia at the same time. Failure to declare an existing family member can affect their ability to apply later as a Student visa subsequent entrant.

Eligible family members may apply separately at a later time as subsequent entrants, subject to the applicable requirements. Home Affairs advises checking whether the visa allows subsequent entrants and whether the family member was previously declared.

Depending on the circumstances, evidence can include passports, evidence of the relationship, financial capacity, health and character documents, OSHC and evidence relating to children. The Department’s Document Checklist Tool should be used for the individual application.

A secondary applicant must satisfy the applicable genuine student dependent criterion. The Department can consider the applicant’s circumstances, immigration history, previous visa compliance and other relevant matters.

If school-aged children accompany the student, plan for school costs as well as living expenses. School enrolment and welfare requirements may apply depending on the child’s age and circumstances.

Family members have visa conditions and work rights that depend on the Student visa circumstances. Do not rely on general information alone; check the visa grant letter and VEVO for the specific family member’s conditions.

Use the StudyChoice Funds Calculator to estimate the additional living, schooling and travel costs for accompanying family members. The Department’s current financial-capacity requirements should be checked before lodgement.