Can I bring my spouse and children to Australia on my student visa?

Yes, you can include your spouse (or de facto partner) and dependent children as secondary applicants on your Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500). They can come to Australia with you or join you later by applying as secondary holders.

Your partner will generally be allowed to work in Australia without restriction if you are enrolled in a master's degree, doctoral degree, or other postgraduate research program. If you are in an undergraduate or diploma course, your partner may be restricted to 48 hours of work per fortnight, the same as you.

Your children can attend school in Australia as dependants on your visa. However, school fees can be significant — many Australian schools charge international student fees for children on student visas, though this varies by state and school.

You will need to include financial evidence to cover living costs for your family in addition to your own costs. The current estimate is AUD $10,400 per year for a partner and AUD $4,449 per year for each child, on top of the main applicant requirements.

Bringing family members adds complexity to the application. A registered migration agent can advise on the specific documentation required for dependants, including health requirements, police clearances, and relationship evidence.