This article has been written in collaboration with Nicole Kirkwood, Director of Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE) and Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 0962323).
Moving to Australia as an international student is a big step, and for many, it’s not something they want to do alone. So, can you bring your family along on your student visa?
The answer is yes, but how you do it — and who you can bring — depends on your situation, your visa, and your long-term plans.
Here’s what international students need to know about bringing family to Australia.
Can You Bring Family on a Student Visa?
If you hold a Student visa (subclass 500), you may be able to include certain family members as dependents on your application, but you can’t add them later.
If you wish to include a family member who was not declared in your original application, you will generally need to lodge a brand new Student visa (subclass 500) to include them. This does not apply if the relationship began after your visa was granted.
These family members can travel to Australia with you or join you after your studies have begun. They will be granted visas linked to your Student visa and must meet health, character, and financial requirements.
However, it’s important to plan this carefully. Adding family members can increase financial requirements and impact processing, so it’s something that should be considered early in your application strategy.
What About Bringing Children?
Children can be included as dependents on a Student visa, but there are additional considerations.
You’ll need to demonstrate that you can financially support them, including schooling costs if they are of school age. Public schooling is not always free for dependents of international students, and fees can vary depending on the state or territory.
You’ll also need to show appropriate health insurance coverage for all family members.
Bringing a Partner to Australia
If you include your partner on your Student visa, they may have work rights in Australia. In many cases, partners can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, though this can vary depending on your level of study.
For example, if you are studying for a postgraduate degree, your partner may have unrestricted work rights, which can be a significant advantage when planning your move.
What If Your Child Is Under 18?
If your child is under 18 and coming to Australia to study, there are strict welfare requirements in place.
In some cases, a parent or eligible relative may need to apply for a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) to accompany and care for the student.
What Is the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)?
The Student Guardian visa is designed for a parent, custodian, or eligible relative to come to Australia to provide care and support to an international student under 18.
To be eligible, the guardian must be:
- At least 21 years old
- A parent, relative, or authorised custodian
They must also demonstrate that they can provide appropriate accommodation, welfare, and financial support during their stay in Australia.
It’s important to understand that Student Guardian visa holders cannot work in Australia, so financial planning is essential before applying.
Can Guardians Bring Other Children?
This is where things can get more complex.
If a Student Guardian has other children under 18 who are not travelling with them, they must show that proper care arrangements are in place for those children.
If they wish to bring children to Australia:
Children under 6 are generally not eligible to accompany a Student Guardian (unless exceptional circumstances apply)
Children over 6 must apply for and hold their own Student visa
These rules can make it more complicated for families with multiple children, so it’s important to plan ahead.
What Happens After You Graduate?
If your long-term goal is to stay in Australia, your family’s visa options don’t end with the Student visa.
After completing your studies, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows you to stay and work in Australia. You can usually include your existing dependents on this visa as well.
This can provide valuable time to gain work experience and explore pathways to permanent residency for both you and your family.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
Bringing your family to Australia is absolutely possible, but it requires careful planning.
Your visa strategy should consider:
- Who you want to bring and when
- Financial requirements and cost of living
- Schooling and childcare considerations
- Your long-term migration goals
Making the wrong move early on — such as not including family members at the right time — can make things more complicated later.
Get Expert Support
If you’re planning to study in Australia and want to bring your family with you, getting the right advice early can make all the difference.
Australian Visa & Immigration Experts (AVIE) can help you understand your options, structure your application correctly, and plan a pathway that supports both your studies and your family’s future.
You can contact a registered migration agent using the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) registry, or contact an immigration lawyer:
Nicole Kirkwood
Australian Visa & Immigration Experts
MARN: 0962323
Email: email@avie.com.au
Website & book a consultation: www.avie.com.au
What we do: Provide expert migration advice, assist and lodge all skills assessments and visa applications, state and regional sponsorship, ART and all other migration matters.
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