Yes, your spouse, de facto partner, and dependent children may join you in Australia on a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) as subsequent entrants.
In this post, education ONE covers everything you need to know about eligibility, required documents, costs, and the step-by-step application process for bringing your family to Australia.
Quick Answer Box
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Who can be added to a 485 visa? |
|
| Can they apply outside Australia? | Yes |
| Do they get the same visa expiry? | Yes, same end date as main holder |
| Do they need financial evidence? | Yes, but no fixed amount stated by DHA |
| How do we apply? | Online via ImmiAccount |
What Is a 485 Subsequent Entrant?
The Australian Department of Home Affairs defines a subsequent entrant as
“a member of the family unit of a visa holder who is applying for a visa to enter Australia to join the primary visa holder.”
In plain English? It’s a way for your family to join you in Australia even if they weren’t on your original 485 visa application.
By the way, your family members don’t have to be in the same place as you to apply. They can be back home (offshore) or already in Australia (onshore) on a different valid visa, as long as they aren’t in immigration clearance.
Who Qualifies As 485 Visa Subsequent Entrants?
Partner Requirements
To be eligible as a subsequent entrant partner, you must meet these conditions:
Relationship status
- Be married to the primary visa holder, or
- Be in a registered de facto relationship, or
- Have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before applying
Relationship quality
- The relationship must be genuine and continuing
- You must not have entered the relationship solely to obtain a visa
Dependent Children Requirements
Children under 18
- Must not be engaged, married, or in a de facto relationship
- Birth certificate or family book showing both parents’ names required
- Custody agreements if applicable
Children aged 18 to 23
- Must be dependent on the main applicant or their partner
- Must not be engaged, married, or in a de facto relationship
- Proof of financial dependency required
Children aged 23 or older
- Must be dependent on the main applicant due to partial or total physical or mental disability
- Medical practitioner report required
- Proof of ongoing dependency required
Dependent child of dependent child
- Limited cases where the dependent child of your dependent child may be eligible
Health and character
All subsequent entrants must:
- Meet Australian government health requirements
- Meet character requirements
- Have no health conditions that could pose a risk to the Australian community
Financial Requirements for 485 Subsequent Entrants
One of the biggest myths about the 485 subsequent entrant visa is that there’s a number you need to have in your bank account.
This is what you should do: Stop looking for a mandatory minimum amount (like student visa) on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website, it doesn’t exist.
However, you still have to prove you can support your family during your stay. So, how do you satisfy a migration officer? First, let’s see what financial capacity means.
What does “financial capacity” mean?
Financial capacity refers to your ability to cover:
- Living expenses in Australia
- Accommodation
- Daily costs for dependents (if applicable)
- Health-related expenses not covered by insurance
Acceptable Evidence of Financial Capacity
Applicants may provide a combination of:
- Recent bank statements
- Evidence of savings or term deposits
- Employment income (payslips or employer letter)
- Evidence of investments
- Evidence of ongoing income (business income, rental income, etc.)
- A Statutory Declaration of Financial Support from the main visa holder (if they are supporting the subsequent entrant)
Oh, and a pro tip: Even though there’s no fixed amount, migration experts often use the Student Visa living cost levels (AUD29,710 for main applicant, AUD10,394 for a spouse or de facto partner, and AUD3,670 for a dependent child in 2026) as a safe “benchmark.”
Document Checklist (485 Visa)
Migration officers love one thing: organisation. If your documents are a mess, your application will be too.
Anyway, we’ve broken this down into a scannable table so you can check things off as you go.
General Documents (All Applicants)
| Document Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Identity | Passport bio page, national ID (if applicable) |
| Photographs | Passport-sized photos |
| Relationship to main visa holder | Marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other official documents |
| Health | Health examinations (if requested) |
| Character | Police clearance certificates (if required) |
| Application forms | Online visa application via ImmiAccount |
| Registered Migration Agent appointment (if applicable) | Form 956 |
Partner Documents (Spouse or De Facto)
| Requirement | Examples of Evidence |
|---|---|
| Proof of genuine relationship | Photos together, travel history, messages, social evidence |
| Financial aspects of relationship | Joint bank accounts, shared expenses |
| Nature of household | Joint lease, shared address documents |
| Commitment to each other | Statements from both partners |
| De facto duration (if applicable) | Evidence of at least 12 months together OR registered relationship certificate |
Dependent Children (Under 18)
| Requirement | Examples of Evidence |
|---|---|
| Proof of relationship | Birth certificate showing parents’ names |
| Parental responsibility | Custody documents (if parents separated) |
| Consent | Form 1229 (if required) |
| Identity | Passport and photo |
Dependent Children (18 Years or Older)
| Requirement | Examples of Evidence |
|---|---|
| Proof of relationship | Birth certificate |
| Financial dependency | Bank transfers, proof of living expenses paid by parent |
| Study status (if applicable) | Enrollment documents |
| Medical evidence (if disability-based dependency) | Medical reports from qualified practitioner |
| Form | Form 47a (if required) |
Unsure if your relationship evidence is strong enough? Our RMAs can assess your documents before you apply. Click here to schedule your consultation.
Step-by-Step Process (How to Apply for a 485 Subsequent Entrant Visa)
Before you begin, make sure the subsequent entrant (partner or dependent child) meets the relationship and dependency requirements outlined earlier, and that the primary 485 visa holder’s visa is still valid at the time of application (usually at least 6 months) to make the application worthwhile.
This is what you should do to keep things moving fast:
- Check eligibility
- Prepare relationship & identity documents
- Complete online application
- Health & character checks
- Attach financial support evidence
- Wait for decision
Visa Costs for 485 Subsequent Entrants
Visa fees change regularly and are updated without public notice. The Department of Home Affairs publishes the official Visa Pricing Calculator and fee tables on its website.
2026 Visa Application Charges (VAC)
As of early 2026, these are the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) base charges you need to budget for.
| Applicant Type | Approx. Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Primary 485 visa holder | AUD 2,300 |
| Subsequent entrant – main applicant | AUD 2,300 |
| Subsequent entrant – adult family member (18+) | AUD 1,150 |
| Subsequent entrant – child (under 18) | AUD 580 |
Important Note on Separate Applications: When you apply for a subsequent entrant visa separately from the primary holder, the Department of Home Affairs treats it as a new, standalone application. In this case, the first person in the application (regardless of age) is considered the “main applicant” for that lodgement. This means they will be charged the full base application fee rather than the lower “additional applicant” rate.
Common Reasons 485 Subsequent Entrant Applications Are Refused
Understanding common refusal triggers can help you avoid costly mistakes. Even when applicants meet the basic eligibility rules, most 485 subsequent entrant refusals are usually because they made a silly mistake.
See table below to understand why usually 485 subsequent entrant applications are refused.
| Type | Problem |
|---|---|
| Insufficient Relationship Evidence (Partners) |
|
| Weak Proof of Dependency (Children 18+) |
|
| Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation |
|
| Financial Evidence Not Convincing |
|
| Health or Character Issues |
|
| Timing Issues |
|
Complex family cases or previous visa issues require professional strategy. Speak with education ONE Australia RMA.
When You Should Speak to a Registered Migration Agent?
Some straightforward 485 subsequent entrant applications can be lodged independently, but many cases benefit from professional guidance. So, do you need a migration agent?
The answer is yes, you should consider speaking to a Registered Migration Agent (RMA), if:
- Your relationship evidence is complex (long-distance relationships, recently registered de facto relationship, limited joint documents)
- Your child’s dependency is not straightforward (child over 18, financial arrangements are informal, medical dependency needs explanation)
- You have previous visa issues (visa refusals or cancellations, gaps, previous compliance concerns)
- Your financial situation is unusual (self-employment or business income, funds held in multiple countries, financial support coming from third parties)
- You want to reduce risk and delays
In your 485 subsequent entrant case, you will be assisted by our expert education consultants and our in-house Registered Migration Agents (RMA):
- Indah Melindasari, Principal Migration Agent (MARN 0961448)
- Abrar Ali, Migration Agent (MARN 2217808)
So, what’s your next step? Are you ready to lodge your application, or do you want a migration specialist to review your documents first to make sure everything is “decision-ready”? Schedule your free consultation with education ONE Australia.
