Family on Student Visa: Is It Possible?

If you’re an international student in Australia who’s left a partner or family overseas, you might be wondering, “Can I bring my family to Australia on a student visa?” We’ve got the answer for you.

Being separated from loved ones can be tough and may be affecting your studies. Read this education ONE article to find out the answer.

Can You Bring Your Family on a Student Visa?

Yes, according to the Australian Government, you can bring your family to Australia on a student visa.

There are two ways you, as an Australian student visa holder, can bring your family members:

• Include them in your student visa application from the outset.
• Apply for a subsequent entrant visa (Subclass 500) to allow them to join you when your course starts.

It’s important to declare your immediate family members on your student visa application, even if they don’t currently plan to travel to Australia. This is a requirement, not just a suggestion.

Missing your family while you study in Australia? Applying with education ONE gives you the peace of mind of expert support throughout the entire process. Contact us today.

Start together or join later?

This decision depends on your plan. Australia offers flexibility for family members to either come with you from the outset or join you later, as long as everyone meets the eligibility and Genuine Student (GS) requirements.

Contact education ONE today to help you determine the best strategy for your situation and increase your chances of visa approval using our personalised document checklist.

What’s the Eligibility Requirements for Each Option?

To be eligible as your dependent on a student visa, they must meet two key criteria: their relationship status to you and some additional general requirements. We will detail these requirements below.

Who can join you in your student visa?

Family members on student visas:

1. Your spouse: This includes your husband, wife, or same-sex partner.
2. Your de facto partner: This is someone you have a committed and ongoing relationship with, similar to a marriage, but you are not legally married. You must have lived together for at least 12 months to be considered de facto partners.
3. Your dependent child (or your partner’s dependent child): This includes any unmarried children under 18 years of age at the time the visa decision is made.

Important note: If your child is 18 years old or older when your visa is granted, they will need to apply for a separate visa themselves. Your child may also be eligible if they’re over 18 and have a disability requiring significant care and support from the main visa holder.

To be eligible for a dependent student visa, your family member must meet the relationship requirements outlined above (spouse, de facto partner, or dependent child under 18 years of age). 

Our experienced migration partners can assess your circumstances and provide guidance to ensure a strong visa application.

These requirements will also applies

This general requirements will also applies

• Valid passport.
• Evidence of your relationship to the main student visa holder.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Meeting financial requirements:
  • annual course fees
  • living costs
    • students – AUD29,710
    • partners coming with you – AUD10,394
    • a child coming with you – AUD4,449.
  • schooling costs of at least AUD13,502 per year for each child
  • Travel costs
• Meeting health and character requirements.

Unsure about the Application Process for Dependent Student Visas?

So that’s the answer for your “Can I bring my family to Australia on a student visa?” question.

You can bring your family members to Australia on a student visa. There are two ways to do this:

• In your initial application: You can include your dependents (such as spouse and children) when you first apply for your student visa. This involves completing an additional form (Form 919: Nomination of Student Dependants) alongside your main student visa application (Form 157A). You will also need to provide evidence of your relationship with your dependents.
• As subsequent entrants: Your dependents can apply for a student visa to join you later after you’ve established yourself in Australia. This is done through a separate application (Subclass 500 Student Visa – Subsequent Entrant).

If you choose to apply for your dependants as subsequent entrants, here’s a general outline of the process:

1. Create or log in to your ImmiAccount: You will need an ImmiAccount to lodge your visa application online.
2. Health Examination: You and your dependants will need to complete a health examination before you lodge your visa application.
3. Financial Evidence: The level of financial documentation required may vary. Check the official website for current requirements.
4. Online Application: Ensure you answer all relevant questions accurately in the online visa application form and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
5. Biometrics Collection: You and your dependants may be required to provide biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) as part of the application process.

Can education ONE help?

At education ONE, we specialise in helping international students like you make the most of their study journey in Australia and achieve your future goals.

With over 15 years of experience and a strategic partnership with registered migration agents, we can guide you through the legal process of bringing your family on your student visa, both by applying from the outset and as a subsequent entrant.

Benefits of working with us:

• Our partnership with registered migration agents ensures you receive professional advice throughout the application process.
• We’ll assess your circumstances to determine the most suitable visa option for your dependent, whether applying from the start or as a subsequent entrant.
• We’ll guide you through every step of the application process.
• Our experienced migration agents will ensure your application is accurate, complete, and meets all the requirements.

Why choose us over others?

• We offer a comprehensive package that covers everything from course selection to visa applications, including dependent visas.
• We boast a 98% success rate and numerous satisfied clients who have successfully brought their dependents to Australia.
• Our fees are competitive and may even save you money compared to potential application mistakes or delays.

Don’t go through the dependent student visa application process alone. Contact education ONE today for a free consultation. 

Let our expertise guide you towards a successful outcome and a smooth transition to studying in Australia with your dependent by your side.