Planning to study in Australia and want your spouse or children with you? The Subclass 500 Student Visa allows it, but the rules are specific, and one missed step at the start can make it impossible to add family members later. This guide covers who qualifies, what the 2026 financial thresholds are, your partner’s work rights, and the declaration rule that trips up most applicants.
Last updated: May 2026
Who Can You Include as a Dependent?
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) limits eligible dependents under the Subclass 500 to three categories:
- Spouse or de facto partner: A legally married spouse can be added as a secondary applicant. A de facto partner must show a genuine relationship. DHA expects evidence of at least 12 months of cohabitation before lodgement, such as a shared lease, joint bank statements, or utility bills in both names.
- Dependent children under 18: Your children, including your partner’s dependent children, can be included if they are under 18 when DHA decides on your application. Children over 18 qualify only if they cannot work due to a disability and were financially dependent on you before turning 18.
- Parents and extended family: Not eligible as dependents under the Subclass 500. If you are an international student under 18 who needs a parent to accompany you, that adult must apply separately for the Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa, which carries its own conditions, including no work rights in Australia.
How to Add Family Members: The Declaration Rule
You must declare all family members in your original student visa application, even if they are not planning to travel with you immediately. This is the rule most applicants miss, and the consequences are significant: if a family member is not declared at lodgement, they are generally not eligible to join you later as a student dependent under your visa. There is no path back once your application is decided.
The only exception is if the relationship itself began after your application was lodged.
If you declared a family member but they chose not to travel immediately, they can apply later as a subsequent entrant through ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. A separate visa application charge applies. They must meet health, character, and financial requirements at the time of their own application.
Not sure if your family situation qualifies? RACC Indonesia’s MARA-registered agents can review your circumstances before you lodge. Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia.
Financial Requirements (2026 Figures)
You must demonstrate to DHA that you can support each family member’s living costs in Australia. Per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, the 2025-26 thresholds are:
| Family Member | Annual Living Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Primary student | 29,710 |
| Spouse or de facto partner | 10,394 |
| Each dependent child | 4,449 |
These figures are for living expenses only. School fees, OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover), tuition, and airfares are all additional. A student bringing a spouse and two children must demonstrate at least AUD 49,002 per year in living expenses alone. For the full cost picture, see how much it costs to study in Australia. Bank statements, payslips, and education loan documents are accepted as financial evidence.
Work Rights for Your Spouse or Partner
Your spouse or partner can work in Australia once their visa is granted. The hours allowed per fortnight depend on your course level as the primary student:
| Your Course Level | Partner Work Rights |
|---|---|
| Master’s or doctoral degree | Unlimited hours |
| Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or other | 48 hours per fortnight |
What most guides miss: if you start on a Master’s program and later downgrade to a Bachelor’s or diploma, your partner’s work rights automatically drop from unlimited to 48 hours per fortnight. DHA’s visa conditions follow your current enrolment level, not what applied when the visa was first granted. Any course change that reduces your AQF level directly affects your family. Discuss the impact with a migration agent before making the switch.
You can check your current visa conditions at any time using VEVO. For more on student work rights, see working as an international student in Australia.
School and Health Cover for Children
Dependent children aged 5 to 17 must attend school in Australia, public or private. Government school fees for international student dependents vary by state and territory, typically AUD 4,000 to AUD 14,000 per year, and are separate from DHA’s living cost figures. Budget for them before you apply.
All dependent family members must hold a valid OSHC family plan for the entire duration of their stay. This is a visa condition, not optional. Arrange this through your education provider or a registered insurance broker before departure.
Visa Fees for Dependents (2026)
As of 1 July 2025, per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au:
| Applicant | Visa Application Charge (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Primary student | 2,000 |
| Dependent aged 18 or over | 1,225 |
| Dependent under 18 | 400 |
Fees apply per applicant. Declaring dependents in your original application does not cost more than applying later, but failing to declare them removes the option altogether.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
Bringing your family on a Subclass 500 involves more than most students expect: declaration timing, financial thresholds, OSHC compliance, and course-level effects on your partner’s work rights all interact from the beginning. Getting one wrong early can limit your options in ways that are difficult to fix.
RACC Indonesia’s consultants are MARA-registered migration agents experienced in guiding Indonesian families through the Subclass 500 dependent pathway. Whether you are unsure about de facto relationship documentation, financial evidence, or how a future course change would affect your family’s visa conditions, a consultation gives you a clear answer before you commit.
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a MARA-registered migration agent.
Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia | Explore our Student Visa Australia services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I add my spouse after I have already lodged my student visa application?
Generally no. DHA requires you to declare all family members when you lodge your Subclass 500 application. If you do not declare them at that point, they are not eligible to join you later as a student dependent. The exception is if the relationship began after your original application was lodged.
Can my spouse work full-time while I study in Australia?
It depends on your course level. If you are enrolled in a Master’s or doctoral degree, your spouse has unlimited work rights. For Bachelor’s degrees and diplomas, your spouse is limited to 48 hours per fortnight under Subclass 500 conditions set by DHA.
What financial evidence do I need to bring my family on a student visa?
You must show funds to cover: AUD 29,710 per year for yourself, AUD 10,394 for a spouse or partner, and AUD 4,449 per dependent child, per DHA’s 2025-26 requirements. Bank statements, payslips, and education loan documents are all accepted.
Do my children need to attend school in Australia?
Yes. Dependent children aged 5 to 17 must be enrolled in school while in Australia. Government school fees apply and vary by state and territory. Private school fees are set independently by each institution. Factor these costs into your financial planning before you apply.
What is the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)?
The Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa is for a parent, custodian, or relative aged 21 or over who accompanies an international student under 18. The guardian must live with the student and cannot work in Australia. It is separate from the Subclass 500 dependent pathway and requires its own application.
What happens to my family’s visa if my student visa is cancelled?
Your dependents’ visas are directly linked to your Subclass 500. If your student visa is cancelled or expires, their visas are also affected. They must either leave Australia or apply for a different visa. Contact a MARA-registered migration agent immediately if your visa is at risk.
