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:
- Married couples submit a marriage certificate as the primary proof of the relationship.
- De facto partners must show a genuine relationship, usually with evidence of living together for at least 12 months before you lodge. Acceptable proof includes a shared lease, joint bank statements, or utility bills in both names.
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:
- Apply together. Declare your partner as a secondary applicant in your first Subclass 500 application. This is the cleaner route, and declaring your partner from the start does not cost more than adding them later.
- Add your partner later as a subsequent entrant. If you did not include your spouse initially, they can still apply through a separate subsequent entrant application. This route is available, but it is usually harder: you must prove the relationship existed before you were granted your visa, and show you can financially support both of you.
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:
- Choose your course level with income in mind. If your spouse plans to work full-time, a Masters can pay for itself through their unlimited work rights.
- Arrange couple OSHC, not two single policies. Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory, and dual or family cover is cheaper than two separate memberships. See our explainer on OSHC for international students.
- Coordinate your work hours. During your teaching weeks you share the 48-hour cap logic; plan shifts so one of you is always covering rent.
- Keep your relationship evidence current. Even after arrival, keep joint accounts and a shared lease. This helps if you later apply for another visa together.
- Pick your city deliberately. Moving from Sydney to Adelaide or Perth can cut your rent by a third without cutting your course quality.
Couples who plan the course level and the budget together, rather than treating the partner as an afterthought, almost always land in a stronger financial position.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
We have guided many Indonesian couples through exactly this process, from choosing a course level that maximises a partner’s work rights to assembling relationship evidence that DHA accepts the first time. The financial-capacity documents for two applicants are where couples most often slip, and a small error can cost you months.
If you are unsure whether to apply together or add your partner later, or which city fits your budget, book a consultation with RACC Indonesia. Our consultants are MARA-registered migration agents, so you get advice grounded in current DHA rules. Please note this article is general information only; for advice on your specific situation, speak with a registered migration agent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can my spouse work full-time while I study in Australia?
It depends on your course level. If you study a Masters or Doctoral degree, your partner can work unlimited hours. If you study a Bachelor degree or below, your partner is capped at 48 hours per fortnight, the same as you during your course.
How much money do we need to show for a student visa as a couple?
As of 2026, per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, you must show AUD 29,710 in living costs for yourself plus AUD 10,394 for your partner, totalling AUD 40,104 per year. This is on top of your tuition fees and return travel costs.
Can I add my spouse to my student visa after I arrive in Australia?
Yes. Your partner can apply later as a subsequent entrant with a separate application. This is possible but usually harder, because you must prove your relationship is genuine and show you can financially support both of you from Australia.
Does a de facto partner qualify for a student dependent visa?
Yes. A de facto partner qualifies if you can show a genuine relationship, usually with evidence of at least 12 months living together before you lodge, such as a shared lease, joint bank statements, or bills in both names. A married couple provides a marriage certificate instead.
How much does it cost to add a partner to a Subclass 500 visa?
From 1 July 2026 the primary student pays AUD 2,500. A partner aged 18 or over pays a separate secondary applicant charge, around AUD 1,530 per current migration figures. Always confirm the exact amount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you lodge, as fees change.
Can my spouse study while on my student dependent visa?
Yes, but with limits. Your partner can study for up to three months without their own student visa. To enrol in a longer course, your partner must apply for a separate Subclass 500 student visa in their own name.
