Reviewed 1 November 2026. New rules restrict including dependants and prevent adding subsequent entrants after grant. Check your family arrangements before applying.
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.
From 2 October 2026, family members generally cannot be included unless an exemption applies. Exempt groups include doctoral students, eligible Pacific/ASEAN nationals, qualifying foreign-government scholarship recipients and DFAT/Defence-sponsored students. Confirm the detailed eligibility criteria rather than assuming nationality or a scholarship alone is sufficient.
Current Student visa holders cannot add family members as subsequent entrants after grant; Home Affairs states there are no exemptions. Declaring a family member does not create a later right to join. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue under the rules at lodgement.
Some existing families may be included together in a further eligible onshore application under transitional arrangements. Check their previous visa/application history and eligibility. The primary applicant and included family members must be in the same location at lodgement. Prepare relationship, identity, OSHC, financial, health and character evidence as required.
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.
Reviewed 1 November 2026. October 2026 application and family rules. General information only; obtain advice from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner for your circumstances.
Information note: Immigration requirements can change. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website and your individual visa conditions before acting.
