Australian visas for partners and families
Dependent family members on a student visa
A student visa would usually allow you to bring close family members as dependents on your student visa. This is defined as:
- A spouse or partner (including same sex partners) who you have been living with for 12 months.
- Your, or your partner’s children, under 18 or who are still in continuous education (i.e. studying A-levels).
Please note that the work rights granted for the dependent partner will depend on the course of study of the student:
- If the student is studying a bachelor degree, the dependent partner can work up to 48 hours per fortnight.
- If the student is studying a masters degree (coursework or research) or a doctorate degree the partner will have full and unlimited work rights.
Travelling with school age children
If your children are travelling with you as dependants on your student visa, you will have to pay fees for them to go to any Australian school (regardless of whether the school is state or private).
School fees vary according to the age of your children and the state or territory that you live in, but expect fees of around A$5,600 to A$18,600 per year, per child.
Approximate state school fees
State/territory
Fee Range
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Coursework Masters
PhD
New South Wales
A$5,600 – A$6,400
Full Fees
Full Fees
Exempt
South Australia
A$6,000 – A$7,200
Full Fees
Full Fees
Full Fees
Tasmania
A$7,500
Full Fees
Full Fees
Full Fees
Northern Territory
A$7,500 – A$10,000
Full Fees
Full Fees
Full Fees
Victoria
A$9,600 – A$14,200
Full Fees
Full Fees
Exempt
Queensland
A$11,100 – A$14,000
Full Fees
Full Fees
Exempt
Australian Capital Territory
A$11,100 – A$16,200
Full Fees
Full Fees
Exempt
Western Australian
A$14,300 – A$18,600
Full Fees
Exempt
Exempt
Approximate state school fees
New South Wales
Fee range
A$5,600 – A$6,400
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Full fees
PhD
Exempt
South Australia
Fee range
A$6,000 – A$7,200
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Full fees
PhD
Full fees
Tasmania
Fee range
A$7,500
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Full fees
PhD
Full fees
Northern Territory
Fee range
A$7,500 – A$10,000
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Full fees
PhD
Full fees
Victoria
Fee range
A$9,600 – A$14,200
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Full fees
PhD
Exempt
Queensland
Fee range
A$11,100 – A$14,000
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Full fees
PhD
Exempt
Australian Capital Territory
Fee range
A$11,100 – A$16,200
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Full fees
PhD
Exempt
Western Australia
Fee range
A$14,300 – A$18,600
Bachelor/Grad/Cert/Grad Dip.
Full fees
Coursework Masters
Exempt
PhD
Exempt
Where can I find help on schools?
Go to the relevant Department of Education website for the state or area that you intend to study and live in. These are as follows:
- Australian Capital Territory’s Education and Training department
- New South Wales – Department of Education
- Queensland – Education Queensland International – Department of Education, Training and Employment
- South Australia – South Australian Government Schools
- Tasmania – Department of Education
- Victoria – Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
- Western Australia – TAFE International Western Australia
Travelling with children over the age of 18 or other family members
Children over the age of 18 are no longer classed as dependents in Australia unless they have been in continuous education (i.e. they are over 18, but still studying A-levels or other qualification). So, if your family member is over 18, and not an eligible dependent, they will need to have their own visa in order to travel to Australia with you. Please note that at 18, they are eligible to apply for entry into an Australian university or college themselves and travel on their own student visa.
Families travelling with a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
If you are travelling to Australia under a sponsored Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) and are bringing your children they will NOT need to apply for their own individual student visas. They will, however, enter university as an international student and consequently you will need to pay the international fee rate for each child that is studying. They will not be eligible for any student loan schemes in Australia.
