Imagine walking through the gates of a world-class Australian university, feeling the excitement of a new life. Now imagine turning around and seeing your partner’s smile, your children’s eyes wide open, and seeing the new country for the first time. Studying in Australia is a life-changing experience. However, if you share it with your family, the joy of studying abroad is doubled.
Thousands of international students bring their families to Australia each year. It’s an excellent way for your loved ones to learn about other cultures, explore a new country, develop language skills, and build lifelong connections. The Australian government recognises this, allowing international students to include eligible family members on their Student visa (subclass 500).
Since many Pakistani students plan to study in Australia’s dynamic and welcoming environment each year, in 2027, the gates of opportunity will be wide open.
In this post, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty details of how you can bring your family on a student dependent visa to Australia. Read till the end as you’ll discover complete eligibility requirements for your family members to join you on this amazing adventure.
Who Can Go With You to Australia on a Student Visa?
You can include the following family members when you lodge your student visa application:
- Your partner: spouse, de facto partner, or same-sex partner
- Your dependent child/children: under 18 years of age
- Your partner’s dependent child/children: under 18 years of age
Dependent children must be under 18 when a decision is made on your visa application. However, if you wish to bring an adolescent above 18 years, their eligibility depends on their ability to work due to a disability. So, they have to depend on you before turning 18.
What Are Dependents’ Eligibility Requirements
For Partners
Your spouse or de facto partner must be in a genuine, ongoing relationship with you at the time of application. De facto partners need to demonstrate at least 12 months of cohabitation before lodging the application, unless compelling circumstances apply. You’ll need to provide evidence such as marriage certificates, joint bank statements, shared leases, and statutory declarations.
For Children
Your dependent children should be under 18 years at the time of visa application. They will need their own visa if they are 18 or older. You must provide birth certificates as evidence.
Family Health and Character Requirements
There are specific family health and character requirements you need to fulfil. For example, all of your family members will have to undergo a thorough medical examination. You will also provide their police clearance certificates.
Financial Proof and Requirements for Your Family Members
You must prove you can financially support your family while in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs requires proof of sufficient funds to cover:
- Tuition fees for yourself and school fees for children
- Living costs for you and each dependent
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for everyone
Financial Evidence Required
| Item | Amount (AUD per year) |
| Living costs for a student | $24,505 |
| Living costs for a partner | $8,574 – $10,394 |
| Living costs for each child | $3,720 – $4,449 |
| OSHC (per person) | $500 – $700 |
| Return airfare | $2,000 – $4,000 |
These amounts represent costs for 2026 and 2027. You should check the Department of Home Affairs website for current figures. Also, you should ensure that your funds are available at least 3 months before the visa application.
Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, sponsorship letters, education loan approval letters, and scholarship awards.
What is the Application Process
Option 1: Include Dependents in Your Initial Application
When you apply for your Student visa (subclass 500), you can include your family members as secondary applicants. You must declare all family members when you lodge your application, even if they do not plan to travel with you immediately. If you don’t declare them, they will not be eligible for a student visa to join you in Australia at any stage.
Option 2: Apply Later as Subsequent Entrants
If you didn’t include your family in your initial application, they can apply later as “subsequent entrants”. This is easier if they were declared upfront. They will need to lodge a separate application and provide evidence of the relationship and financial capacity.
Step-by-Step Process
- Check eligibility: Confirm your dependents meet the criteria
- Gather documents: Passports, marriage/birth certificates, financial evidence, health and police clearances
- Apply online: Through the Department of Home Affairs website
- Pay the visa fee: From 1 July 2025, student visa fees start from AUD $2,000 for primary applicants. Dependents’ fees vary
- Wait for processing: Processing times vary; apply well in advance
Work and Study Rights for Dependents
Work Rights
Once granted, dependents can work in Australia. The specific hours depend on your course:
- Master’s or doctoral degree – Unlimited work hours
- Bachelor’s, diplomas, and other courses – 48 hours per fortnight
Important: Dependents cannot start working until the primary student has commenced their course.
Study Rights
Your family members are allowed to study short courses of duration up to three months in Australia. They won’t need an independent study visa for that. However, for courses longer than three months, they need to apply for their own Student visa (subclass 500).
What About Schooling for Children?
Australian study visa gives an excellent chance to your children between 5 and 17 to attend a school in Australia. However, the education is not free in schools, and you will need to pay a tuition fee. That applies to both private and public Australian schools.
Graduate Pass to Stay Longer in Australia
If you complete a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Australia, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). This visa allows you to stay in Australia for 2 to 4 years after graduation to work. You can also bring your family with you on this visa.
Important Tips for Pakistani Students
- Declare all family members upfront: Even if they’re not travelling with you immediately
- Start early: Processing times can take several months
- Show strong financial evidence: The more funds you can demonstrate, the stronger your application
- Provide genuine relationship evidence: Marriage certificates, photos, joint accounts, and shared leases
- Check visa conditions: Your dependents’ visas are linked to yours; if your visa is cancelled or expires, theirs are affected too
Let’s Start an Exciting Future With Your Family TODAY
Bringing your family to Australia is more than a visa application; it’s a shared adventure. It’s your children experiencing world-class education. It’s your partner building a career in a global economy. It’s all of you creating a life in one of the most welcoming countries on earth.
The Student Dependent Visa (subclass 500) makes this possible. With careful planning, the right documents, and professional guidance, you can turn your Australian dream into a family reality.
FAQs
1. Can I bring my parents on a student dependent visa?
No. It is not possible to bring your parents along while studying in Australia in 2027. However, you can still bring them with you by applying for a subclass 600 visa.
2. Is it possible for my spouse or partner to work full-time in Australia while I am studying full-time?
Ofcours. That depends on your chosen program. If you are studying a PhD or a Master’s level course, you can work full-time. While for a Bachelor’s or diploma-level study, they can only work for 48 hours per fortnight.
3. How much does the student dependent visa cost?
The cost of the student dependent visa as of July, 2025 starts at AUD $2,000. The more dependents you have, the higher the fee you’ll have to pay.
4. Can my children attend public school in Australia?
Absolutely. The education in Australia is not free for school children on a dependent visa. You can understand more about school fees by contacting schools directly or the state or territory education departments.
5. Suppose my student visa is cancelled for any reason in Australia; what will happen to my family members?
If your student visa is void or cancelled, your family members and children are not allowed to live in Australia. They will go back home with you, depending on your visa.
Ready to Start Your Australian Study Journey?
AEL Consultants can guide you through every step of the student dependent visa process from university selection to visa approval for your entire family.
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