How to Include Your Family in Your Australian Visa Application

Moving to Australia alone is daunting. Moving with your family is a game-changer, but the paperwork can feel overwhelming. The good news: including your spouse, children, and sometimes dependent relatives on your visa application is straightforward if you know what to do.

Whether you're applying for a student visa, skilled migration, or a graduate visa, the rules for bringing family vary. This guide walks you through each pathway, the documents you'll need, the costs involved, and the eligibility rules that matter.

Who Counts as Your Family on an Australian Visa?

Australia's definition of "family" is specific. Typically, your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children (usually under 23, or older if financially dependent) can be included on your visa application.

Dependent children don't have an age limit if they're relying on you financially and there's no one else supporting them. If your child is studying and earning their own income, they may not qualify as a dependent. Australia also recognises same-sex relationships and de facto partnerships (if they've been together for at least 12 months), so bring your evidence.

Other relatives, like parents or siblings, are not considered family members for visa purposes unless they meet very specific criteria (which are rare). If you're hoping to bring aging parents later, that's a separate process through family sponsorship visas.

Family on a Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Studying in Australia? Your spouse and dependent children can come with you on a student visa.

Eligibility and Work Rights

Your family members don't need to meet academic requirements or proof-of-funds requirements separately, but they do need to be health and character cleared (the same as you). Your spouse can work full-time while you study (no hour restrictions). Dependent children under 18 typically cannot work in Australia; those 18 and over can work part-time or full-time, depending on their visa conditions.

Here's the catch: the financial requirement (currently AUD $29,710 per year for a single student) doesn't automatically increase per family member. However, the visa officer will assess whether your total funds cover everyone's living costs. If your spouse works, that helps demonstrate overall financial capacity.

How to Include Them

When you lodge your student visa application, you'll declare all family members who want to travel with you. You'll nominate them in the online application form (via ImmiAccount) and upload their supporting documents alongside yours.

Your spouse or partner will need: a passport, health examination (if required), police clearance from each country they've lived in, and evidence of your relationship (marriage certificate, de facto declaration, or photos and communications if you're a couple). Dependent children need their passports, health checks, and police clearances (if old enough).

Each family member pays their own visa application fee. As of 2025-26, the student visa (subclass 500) fee is AUD $1,600 per person. So a family of three (you, spouse, one child) costs AUD $4,800 total.

After Visa Grant

Once your visa is granted, your family members' visas are also granted at the same time (or sometimes shortly after). They can start their lives in Australia alongside you. Your spouse can begin work immediately; your children can enrol in school. Your student visa work limit (48 hours per fortnight during study term) applies to you only, not your spouse.

Family on a Skilled Visa (189, 190, 491)

Skilled migration is where family inclusion gets strategic.

Who You Can Bring

On a skilled visa (subclass 189, 190, or 491), your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included. This is crucial: your spouse's skills and English ability can significantly boost your visa eligibility.

When you're calculating points, if your spouse is also skilled in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), they can be added as a "secondary applicant." If their occupation is on the list and they have a suitable skills assessment, they can contribute points to your application. An Australian state sponsorship (190 or 491) gives you +5 points; if your spouse is the primary applicant and you're the secondary, that's a separate pathway.

Points and Costs

You need a minimum of 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), though invitation scores are typically 80+ (and often higher). If your spouse is skilled, they might tip you from 65 points to 75+, making your application far more competitive.

Each family member pays the visa application fee. As of 2025-26, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) costs AUD $4,640 for the primary applicant. Dependent children (under 23) pay a reduced fee; spouses pay the full amount. A family of three might cost around AUD $11,000–AUD $13,500 depending on family structure.

Evidence of Relationships

For skilled migration, your relationship must be rock-solid on paper. Immigration will ask for: your marriage certificate (or de facto statutory declaration signed 12+ months ago), joint financial records (shared bank accounts, loan documents), tenancy agreements in both names, photos together over time, and statements from friends or family who can attest to your relationship.

If you're de facto, you must have lived together continuously for 12 months. If you've been apart (work commitments, visa processing delays), k