Considering studying in Australia but concerned about the prospect of leaving your family behind? The good news is, Australia allows international students to bring their loved ones with them. But to get it right, you should know the process, rules, and obligations entailed.
We’ll explore how to bring family members to Australia as an international student in this guide, and why you should engage the best education consultants in Melbourne can help you understand family visa eligibility without the hassle.
Who Counts as a Dependent?
If you are a Student Visa (Subclass 500) holder, you can include your immediate family in your application or bring them along. Here’s who qualifies:
- Your husband, wife, or de facto partner
- Minors under 18 years of age
Sorry, you can’t bring your parents, brothers, or sisters, or other extended family under this visa classification.
When and How to Apply
Bringing the family can be done in two different ways:
Include Them from the Start
If you already know that you will want to have your family with you, you can include your family members with your initial student visa application. It’s simpler this way because everything is processed at once.
Apply Later (Subsequent Entrant Visa)
Didn’t include them before? You can still bring them once you get to Australia by submitting a new application. Here’s what you need to prove to have this approved:
- Do you have required wealth to provide for everyone
- You’ve arranged proper health insurance
- The living space you have is sufficient for your family
Seeking assistance from the best education consultants in Melbourne at this point all comes down to saving time, money, and a lot of stress.
What About the Costs?
Australia wants to ensure you can support your family. It is therefore necessary to provide evidence of the following in terms of funds:
- Your tuition
- Living expenses
- Airfare
- Tuition (if you are bringing children of school age)
You will be charged a different amount depending on the length of your course and the number of people who are dependent on you. But you can safely make sure you have a comfortable amount of money saved up.
Your Overseas Student Should Also Have the Appropriate Health Insurance and Schooling
In order to qualify for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), it is necessary to provide coverage for every member of the family. This is non-negotiable. Also, if your child is 5 or older, you will have to:
- Register them with an Australian school
- Pay any applicable school fees (which depends on whether it’s a public or private school, and the state)
Those types of steps are frequently overlooked, so it’s smart to consult a reliable student visa agent in Melbourne early. The top education consultants will hold your hand all the way so that you don’t get any nasty shocks down the track.
Can Your Partner Work?
Yes! One of the best things about Australia’s student visa system is work rights for your other half:
- In the event that you are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, your partner is permitted to work for a maximum of forty-eight hours every two weeks.
- If you are a Master’s or PhD student, it could be of no-limits.
This can help keep your family’s money in check while you pour your energy into studying.
Why Expert Help is Important
Bringing your family is more than just form filling. It is a matter of meeting government requirements, staying abreast of shifting rules, and putting together the proper paperwork. A reputed student visa agent in Melbourne can:
- Ensure that your family qualifies
- Assist to submit a full accurate application
- Clarify your partner’s work entitlements and your child’s schooling requirements
- Be ready to pitch in long after you get there
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt about it, bringing your family along when you go to study in Australia is a thing, however, it requires planning, paperwork, and a definite grasp of the visa system. Don’t try to overanalyze everything.
