Are you planning to study in Australia and want your family to join you? The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to include their spouse/partner and dependent children in their visa application, so the whole family can live together while you study. Alternatively, if your child is under 18 and you need to accompany them as a guardian, the Student Guardian visa (Subclass 590) is available. This guide explains everything you need to know about bringing family on a student visa, including eligibility, costs, documents, and conditions. We'll cover both scenarios—adding family to your student visa application or applying for a student guardian visa—so you can make an informed decision. HeadStart Academy is a free resource that helps you navigate study in Australia, but remember we are not registered migration agents. For personalised advice, always consult a MARA-registered agent or the Department of Home Affairs. Australia has over 1,500 CRICOS-registered providers offering more than 26,000 courses, and all listed institutions on our site meet strict ESOS Act protections.
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Bringing family on a student visa means that your immediate family members (your spouse/partner and dependent children) can accompany you to Australia while you pursue a CRICOS-registered course. This is typically done by including them in your Student visa (Subclass 500) application at the time of lodgement, or by adding them later as subsequent entrants. For parents of school-aged children, the Student Guardian visa (Subclass 590) allows you to stay in Australia as the child's guardian while they study on a student visa. All family members must meet genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirements, pass health and character checks, and have adequate health insurance (OSHC family cover). The Australian government recognises the importance of family unity, and providing for dependents is a key consideration in visa processing.
Eligibility depends on your relationship with the family member and your own student visa status. You can include your spouse or de facto partner (including same-sex partners) if you have a genuine and continuing relationship. Dependent children must be under 18, or over 18 but financially dependent on you (e.g., full-time student dependents). There is no minimum course level requirement, but you must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course and meet financial capacity requirements to support your family. Common exceptions: if you are applying for a Student Guardian visa, the student must be under 18 and enrolled in a CRICOS-registered school. Also, partners of students studying vocational courses may have limited work rights. For a Student Guardian visa, you must demonstrate that you are the child's parent or custodian and can provide accommodation and welfare.
Step 1: Research CRICOS-registered providers and secure a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for yourself (and for any dependent child who needs to study in Australia). Step 2: Gather required documents for all family members: passports, birth certificates, marriage/de facto relationship evidence, financial documents (showing you can support each family member), OSHC family cover proof, health insurance, and health check referrals. Step 3: Lodge a combined online application via ImmiAccount, paying the visa application fee for all applicants. Alternatively, if you already have a student visa, you can lodge a subsequent entrant application for your family. Processing times vary—typically 1–2 months for straightforward cases. Provide complete and accurate information to avoid delays.
Each family member must provide a valid passport, recent passport-style photograph, and evidence of their relationship to you (marriage certificate, birth certificates, proof of de facto relationship). For dependent children over 18, provide proof of dependency (e.g., financial support evidence, study enrolment). All family members must also undergo health examinations and provide police clearance certificates. Financial evidence is crucial: you must show you have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees (if any), living costs (AUD 21,041 per year for the main applicant, plus AUD 7,362 per partner, and AUD 3,152 per child as at April 2026), and OSHC premiums. Use the Department of Home Affairs's Evidence of Financial Capacity form. Additionally, you must purchase OSHC family cover—indicative costs: AUD 1,800–2,200 per year for a family of three. School-aged children may need to show school fee payments if they intend to study in Australia.
As at April 2026, the visa application charge (VAC) for a Student visa (Subclass 500) is AUD 1,600 for the main applicant. Including a spouse/partner adds AUD 1,195, and each dependent child adds AUD 395. If you apply for a Student Guardian visa (Subclass 590), the base fee is AUD 650. OSHC family cover costs approximately AUD 1,800–2,200 per year, depending on the provider. Health examinations cost around AUD 300–500 per person, and biometrics collection is AUD 85 per person. Other costs include English language tests (if required for dependents), school fees for children, and travel expenses. These are indicative only; always check the latest fees on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Family members included on a Student visa must abide by visa conditions. The student visa holder's work rights are 48 hours per fortnight during course term and unlimited during scheduled breaks. Accompanying family members have different work rights: if the student is studying a master's by coursework or doctoral degree, the spouse/partner has unlimited work rights; otherwise, they are limited to 48 hours per fortnight. Dependent children can attend school in Australia, but may need to pay fees (usually waivers for primary school but high school fees vary by state). All family members must maintain OSHC and abide by Australian laws. They must not breach the student's visa conditions, and if the student fails to maintain enrolment or satisfy course requirements, all family visas may be cancelled.
1. Incomplete financial evidence: Not showing enough funds to cover family costs is a top reason for refusal. Include all living expenses, tuition, and OSHC. 2. Unclear relationship proof: For de facto partners, you need 12 months of evidence of living together. 3. Ignoring GTE for family members: Each family member must also meet the genuine temporary entrant criterion—explain their intention to leave Australia after the visa. 4. Not obtaining OSHC family cover before lodging: The Department requires health insurance at the time of application. 5. Late medicals: Health checks can take weeks; book early to avoid delays. 6. Incorrect subsequent entrant application: If adding a family member after your visa is granted, the process is different; seek advice.
For personalised migration advice, always consult a registered migration agent (MARA-registered). The Department of Home Affairs website (homeaffairs.gov.au) provides official forms, fee calculators, and processing times. Your education provider’s international student support office can also help with enrolment and welfare. HeadStart Academy is not a registered migration agent and does not provide immigration advice—we are a free directory of CRICOS-registered courses and providers. We recommend you seek professional assistance for visa applications.
Step 1: Research CRICOS-registered providers and find a course that suits your goals. Step 2: Apply directly to your chosen institution and receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Step 3: Lodge your combined student visa application including all family members through ImmiAccount. Make sure you have all documents ready, pay the fees, and provide accurate declarations. After submission, track your application and respond to any requests from immigration. Once granted, your family can travel to Australia to join you.
Ready to plan your study journey in Australia with your family? Explore CRICOS-registered courses and providers on HeadStart Academy today – a free resource with no hidden fees.