Sources checked on 13 November 2026
Australia has tightened the rules for including partners and children in Student (subclass 500) and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa applications.
The changes took effect on different dates:
- Student visas: 2 October 2026
- Temporary Graduate visas: 13 November 2026
For affected applicants, family planning now needs to happen before the main visa application is lodged. There are restrictions on both who can be included and when they must apply.
Student visas: family inclusion is now limited
For new subclass 500 applications, partners and dependent children can generally be included only where an exemption applies.
Eligible categories include PhD students, DFAT- or Defence-sponsored students and foreign government scholarship recipients, eligible Pacific and ASEAN passport holders, and specified existing-family situations.
For example, some existing dependants may qualify to accompany a further onshore Student visa application. Existing family members may also qualify where the student needs up to 12 more months to complete the main course covered by their current visa, or needs a further visa because their education provider has defaulted. These provisions may apply to applications made in or outside Australia. These provisions have specific requirements and do not apply automatically to everyone who already holds a Student visa.
Eligible family members must apply with the main applicant at the same time and in the same location.
Can family members join later?
A family member cannot make a new subsequent entrant application to join someone whose Student visa has already been granted. This applies even if the student belongs to an otherwise exempt category.
Student visa applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue to be assessed under the previous rules.
Department of Home Affairs: Including or adding family members
Graduate visas: family members must qualify and apply together
From 13 November 2026, a family member can make a new subclass 485 application only if they meet one of the specified eligibility criteria.
Relevant circumstances include where:
- The main applicant holds a qualifying Pacific-regional or ASEAN country passport.
- The main applicant’s most recent Student visa related to a doctoral degree they have completed.
- Every course covered by the main applicant’s most recent Student visa was fully funded by a foreign government.
- The family member is a child born after the main applicant was granted their most recent Student or Graduate visa.
- The family member has a qualifying history as a secondary Student or Graduate visa holder linked to the same main applicant.
The previous-visa provisions are particularly important. For a secondary Student visa, the family member must currently hold it, have held it on 2 October 2026, or have held it within the six months before the new application. For a secondary Graduate visa, they must currently hold it or have held it within the preceding six months. In each case, the previous visa must be linked to the same main applicant.
Temporary Graduate visa reform regulations
An eligible family member still cannot apply later
Every eligible secondary applicant must apply at the same time as, and in a combined application with, the main applicant. The eligibility categories do not create exceptions to this requirement. New subclass 485 subsequent entrant applications are no longer available.
The main applicant must apply in Australia. An eligible family member can apply from inside or outside Australia, although additional visa-status requirements apply to family members applying onshore.
The amendments apply to applications made on or after 13 November 2026. Applications lodged before that date are not subject to these amendments.
Children born in Australia
If you hold a Temporary Graduate visa and your child is born in Australia, the child automatically holds a Temporary Graduate visa as your dependant. A separate visa application is not required, but you must notify Home Affairs of the birth. This is separate from applying for a family member as a subsequent entrant.
Notify Home Affairs of a newborn child.
ImmiAccount access does not establish eligibility
Home Affairs warns that ImmiAccount may still let you include a family member who does not meet the new rules. If the validity requirements are not met, the application will be invalid. This can affect the family member’s immigration status and options, particularly if their current visa has expired. An invalidity decision cannot be merits reviewed.
Home Affairs: Temporary Graduate visa family-member rules.
What does this mean in practice?
A student plans to bring their partner after graduation
A couple should not assume the partner can be included in a Graduate visa application simply because they are married or in a genuine relationship. The partner must also meet one of the new family-member eligibility criteria.
A partner already holds a dependent Student visa
A partner with the required secondary Student visa history may be able to apply with the graduate. The previous visa, relevant dates and connection to the same main applicant need to be checked before lodgement.
A Graduate visa holder wants their partner to join later
An existing Graduate visa does not preserve the former subsequent entrant pathway for a family member making a new application after commencement. The family member may need to consider another visa option.
Planning ahead
Before submitting a Student or Graduate visa application, review each family member’s eligibility and visa history, the relevant lodgement and grant dates, and where everyone will be when applying. Families should also consider any special provisions relating to children. For example, a child born in Australia may be covered by separate statutory arrangements.
Ausdirect Migration can assess how the changes affect your family and help you understand your options before you lodge. Contact our team.
This article provides general information and is not advice about a particular application. Visa eligibility depends on the law and each applicant’s circumstances at the relevant time.