Studying in Australia as a Married Couple: Visa, Costs, and Practical Tips
Studying in Australia as a married couple is entirely possible on a single Subclass 500 student visa, with your spouse added as a dependent partner. This guide walks you through the whole journey: how to add your husband or wife to your application, how much money you must show in 2026, the real cost of living for two people, the work rights each of you gets, and the practical tips that make couple life abroad affordable. The rules changed on 1 July 2026, with a higher visa charge and updated financial thresholds. Getting these numbers right before you lodge is what separates a smooth approval from a refusal. Last updated: July 2026 Can a Married Couple Study and Live in Australia Together? Yes. The Australian Subclass 500 student visa lets you bring your spouse or de facto partner as a dependent on the same application. Only one of you needs to be enrolled in a registered course. Your partner comes along as a secondary applicant and, once you start studying, gains the right to work and to study short courses. This is one of the more couple-friendly study destinations. Your partner is not stuck at home waiting: they can work, they can take a short course, and if their earnings are strong enough, a couple can cover most living costs together. The trade-off is that you must prove your relationship is genuine and show enough money for both of you, which we break down below. How to Add Your Spouse to a Student Visa (Subclass 500) You can bring your spouse or family on a student visa in two ways: include your partner in your original application, or add them later. Either way, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) must be satisfied that your relationship is genuine and that both of you are genuine temporary entrants. Married vs de facto partner evidence The evidence you provide depends on your relationship type: Important: DHA assesses the relationship as genuine and continuing, not just legally valid. Weak or thin relationship evidence is a common reason partner applications are delayed or refused, so gather documents early. Applying together vs adding your partner later (subsequent entrant) You have two timing options: The practical lesson: if you are already married when you apply, declare your partner from day one. Adding them later means a second application, a second wait, and a heavier evidence burden. How Much Money You Need to Show in 2026 Financial capacity is where couple applications most often stumble. As of 2026, per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, the living cost amounts you must demonstrate are: Applicant Living cost to show (per year) Primary student (you) AUD 29,710 Spouse or de facto partner AUD 10,394 Each dependent child AUD 4,449 For a married couple with no children, that is AUD 40,104 in living costs alone. On top of this, you must also show your first year of tuition fees and return travel costs for both of you. These figures are the amounts DHA uses to test that you can support your household without relying on work income. You will also pay the visa charges. From 1 July 2026, the primary applicant pays AUD 2,500, up from AUD 2,000, per Study Australia. A partner aged 18 or over pays a separate secondary applicant charge, around AUD 1,530 based on current migration figures. Confirm the exact amount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you lodge, because these charges are adjusted regularly. The Real Cost of Living in Australia as a Couple The financial-capacity figure is what you show DHA. What you actually spend is a different number, and for a couple it is often lower per person than for a single student, because you share rent and bills. Here is a realistic monthly budget for two, based on 2026 rental and grocery data for the major cities. Expense Couple (per month) Notes Rent (1-bedroom, shared) AUD 1,700–2,200 Sydney at the top; Melbourne AUD 1,500–2,000 Groceries AUD 700–1,000 Cooking at home keeps this down Transport (two people) AUD 250–400 Concession fares vary by state OSHC (couple cover) AUD 250–350 Dual membership is mandatory Utilities, phone, internet AUD 250–350 Shared, so cheaper per person Personal and leisure AUD 300–500 Adjust to your lifestyle Estimated total AUD 3,450–4,800 Roughly AUD 41,000–58,000 per year Sharing a single apartment is the biggest advantage a couple has. A one-bedroom unit split two ways is far cheaper per person than two separate rooms. For a city-specific breakdown, see our guide to the cost of living in Melbourne for students. Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth run noticeably cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne, so your choice of city has a large effect on your budget. Work Rights: How Much Can You and Your Spouse Earn? This is where the maths often works in a couple’s favour, and it depends entirely on your course level. As the primary student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Your partner’s work rights are tied to your course: Your course level Your partner’s work rights Bachelor degree or below 48 hours per fortnight Masters degree (coursework or research) Unlimited hours Doctoral degree (PhD) Unlimited hours The distinction matters enormously for household income. If you enrol in a Masters or Doctoral program, your spouse can work full-time all year, which can transform your budget. A partner earning full-time at award wages can often cover most or all of a couple’s living costs. If you study at Bachelor level, both of you are capped at 48 hours per fortnight during term. One timing point that trips couples up: your partner cannot start working until your course has officially commenced. Employers will ask for evidence, usually your Confirmation of Enrolment. For the full rules, see our guide to working as an international student in Australia. Practical Tips for Couples Studying in Australia A few decisions early on make a couple’s life abroad far smoother and cheaper: Couples who plan the course
