Whether you want to include your partner in your initial application or add them later, here is everything you need to know about the Student Dependent Visa (Subclass 500).

Who Qualifies as a Dependent?

Under a Student Visa, you can only sponsor immediate family members, which includes:

• Your spouse (legally married partner).

• Your de facto partner (unmarried but living together in a committed relationship for at least 12 months, or with a registered relationship certificate).

• Your dependent children under the age of 18.

Initial Application vs. Subsequent Entry

There are two ways to bring your partner to Australia:

1. Combined Application: You include your spouse in your initial Student Visa application before you fly. This is ideal as your visas are processed together, allowing you to travel to Australia at the same time.

2. Subsequent Entry: If you are already studying in Australia, your partner can apply from home to join you later.

   Crucial Requirement: To be eligible for subsequent entry, you MUST declare your partner on your initial student visa application, even if they had no plans to travel at that time. Failing to declare them is a direct visa breach and can prevent them from joining you later.

Key Requirements for a Partner Dependent Visa

• Proof of Relationship: This is the most heavily scrutinized part of the application. You must provide a legal marriage certificate or comprehensive evidence of a de facto relationship (shared bank accounts, joint leases, photographs, and travel history).

• Financial Capacity: You must prove you can support your partner financially without them needing to work. Currently, you need to show an additional AUD 10,394 per year for a spouse, plus their return flight ticket.

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): You must upgrade your individual health insurance to a Dual Family or Multi-Family OSHC policy to cover your partner for the exact duration of your stay.

• Genuine Student (GS) Alignment: Your partner must also satisfy the Genuine Student criteria, proving that their primary intention is to support your academic goals and return home once your studies are complete.

Partner Work Rights in Australia

One of the biggest advantages of the Australian dependent framework is that your spouse receives excellent work rights:

• If you are enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree or below, your partner can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session.

• If you are pursuing a Master’s Degree (Coursework or Research) or a PhD, your partner receives unlimited work rights year-round!

Bring Your Family Together with Everest Global

Proving relationship legitimacy and organizing joint finances can be complex. At Everest Global Education, we excel at managing joint and subsequent entry dependent applications.

From our offshore offices across India and Nepal (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Beni, Dhangadhi) to our onshore teams in Sydney and Perth, we ensure your family paperwork is airtight, helping you stay united throughout your study journey.

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