For many students, studying abroad is an exciting adventure, but it can be even better if your spouse or de facto partner can join you. Fortunately, most countries allow you to include your partner in your student visa application as a secondary applicant, but there are some essential requirements and conditions to be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a student visa with your partner.
Yes! You can add your spouse or de facto partner as a secondary applicant to your student visa. However, both you and your partner must meet specific criteria. This includes proving the genuineness of your relationship and satisfying the Department of Home Affairs (or the equivalent body in the country you are applying to) that you both intend to stay temporarily.
To support your application, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship, such as:
The government may also consider the social aspects of your relationship, such as how you present yourselves to friends and family and any shared plans or joint social activities. Finally, the commitment you show to each other—how long you’ve been together and the emotional support you provide each other—may also be examined.
If your relationship existed before your initial student visa application, you must declare it at that time. If you mistakenly failed to include your partner in your original application, they cannot be added later as a family member applicant.
One of the benefits of adding your partner to your student visa is that they may also have working rights. Generally, your partner's work rights will be the same as yours, but there are exceptions, especially if you are studying at a postgraduate level. For example, if you are pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree, your partner may be allowed to work more than the standard 40 hours per fortnight.
Always check the visa conditions specified in your visa grant letter or use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system for more detailed information about work rights.
If you are from a country classified under assessment level 2 or 3, your partner will need to submit financial evidence to support their application, regardless of where they are applying from. This is to prove that you both have enough funds to support yourselves during your stay.
Your partner can apply for a student visa as a secondary applicant either onshore or offshore. However, if they are currently onshore, they must not have a “no further stay” condition on their current visa. Additionally, if they are already on a student visa while applying as a secondary applicant, they must continue their studies until the new visa is granted to avoid complications.
Including your partner in your student visa application is a great way to have them join you on your study abroad journey. However, make sure you follow all the necessary steps, gather the required evidence, and understand the conditions attached to the visa. By doing so, you can ensure a smooth application process and enjoy your overseas experience together.
Australia's education system is celebrated for its excellence, cultural diversity, and abundant career opportunities.
As an International student on Students Visa (Subclass 500) for Australia, you are required to adhere to the conditions listed in your visa. If you do not comply with any of these conditions you will be held in breach of your visa conditions.
Australia is acknowledged as one of the world’s leaders in the provision of agricultural education with programs that include up-to-date aspects of farming, production practices and agri-business.
Course | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | Requirements or Considerations | English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) | Tuition Fees (per year for international students) | Top Universities |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nursing | 3 years | 1-2 years | Clinical placements required; may need specific health immunizations. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $30,000 - $45,000 | University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Monash University |
Information Technology | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | May require programming skills or prior coursework in IT. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $30,000 - $50,000 | Australian National University, University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne |
Accounting | 3 years | 1-2 years | Need to meet accreditation standards by professional bodies. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $30,000 - $40,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland |
Engineering (various fields) | 4 years | 1-2 years | Strong background in mathematics and physics required. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $35,000 - $45,000 | University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, Monash University |
Social Work | 4 years | 1-2 years | Practical experience or placements required. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $28,000 - $40,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland |
Education (various fields) | 4 years | 1-2 years | A police clearance and working with children check required. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $28,000 - $35,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University |
Psychology | 3 years | 1-2 years | Requires strong research and psychological theory understanding. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $30,000 - $45,000 | University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland |
Occupational Therapy | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | May require pre-registration or relevant clinical experience. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $30,000 - $45,000 | University of Queensland, University of Sydney, Curtin University |
Architecture | 3-4 years | 2 years | Includes technical and creative coursework, portfolio may be required. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $35,000 - $50,000 | University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Monash University |
Medicine and Health Sciences | 5-6 years | 2-4 years | Highly competitive entry, includes clinical placements and internships. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $45,000 - $70,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Australian National University |
State/Territory | Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) | Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa) |
---|---|---|
New South Wales (NSW) | Required for some occupations | Required for some occupations and regions |
Victoria (VIC) | Required | Required |
Queensland (QLD) | Not typically required, conditions apply | Required for some occupations and regions |
South Australia (SA) | Not typically required, conditions apply | Required for some occupations and regions |
Western Australia (WA) | Not typically required | Not typically required |
Tasmania (TAS) | Not typically required, conditions apply | Not typically required, conditions apply |
Northern Territory (NT) | Not typically required | Not typically required |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Required, uses Matrix system | Required, uses Matrix system |