Partner of a Subclass 500 Student Visa Holder
Where the primary visa holder is on a Subclass 500 Student visa, the partner and any dependent children can join in Australia through a subsequent entrant application under the same subclass. The pathway requires evidence of the primary holder enrolment, the genuine nature of the relationship, sufficient financial capacity to support the family in Australia, and Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of the visa. Work rights for the subsequent entrant depend on the level of study of the primary holder.
Key facts
Application type
Subsequent entrant under Subclass 500
Application charge
$2,000 main applicant
Health cover
OSHC required
Validity
Tied to primary Subclass 500 expiry
Who qualifies as a 500 subsequent entrant
The Subclass 500 subsequent entrant category is open to a member of the family unit of the primary Subclass 500 holder. For partners, this means the spouse or de facto partner of the primary holder, where the relationship is genuine and continuing. Dependent children under 18, and dependent children aged 18 to 23 in certain cases of financial dependency, may also apply as subsequent entrants.
The primary Subclass 500 must remain valid at the time of lodgement and must retain sufficient validity for the subsequent entrant visa to have meaningful use. Applications lodged with only a few months of primary validity remaining are typically not worthwhile unless a clear plan for transition to another visa is in place.
Work rights
Work rights for subsequent entrant partners of Subclass 500 holders depend on the course the primary holder is undertaking. Partners of primary holders enrolled in a masters by research, doctoral degree, or certain other postgraduate programs generally have full work rights from the start of the primary course. Partners of primary holders enrolled in lower-level or undergraduate courses typically have work rights limited to 48 hours per fortnight during term, with unlimited work rights during scheduled course breaks.
This distinction matters when planning the family migration. Where the primary holder is enrolled in a non-eligible course, the subsequent entrant partner may face substantial practical limits on earning capacity, which in turn affects the financial assessment of the visa application.
Relationship evidence
Evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing is required. Married couples submit the marriage certificate along with supporting four-aspect evidence. De facto couples submit evidence of cohabitation of 12 months or more or an equivalent qualifying basis, together with four-aspect evidence.
Applications involving recent relationships or limited physical cohabitation attract closer scrutiny. Where the primary holder is early in Australian studies, the evidence should cover the period of the relationship before and during the arrival of the primary holder in Australia.
Financial capacity and living costs
The Department of Home Affairs requires evidence of funds sufficient to cover course fees for the primary holder, living costs for the primary holder and all accompanying family members, and travel costs. Published living-cost benchmarks used in subsequent entrant applications are approximately $29,710 per year for the main applicant, $10,394 per year for a partner, and $3,670 per year for each dependent child (figures drawn from the student visa framework and updated periodically by the Department).
Evidence of funds typically includes bank statements, savings accounts, loan letters, sponsorship support from family members, and evidence of employment or ongoing income. Where financial capacity is provided by a third party, a formal statutory declaration of support and supporting financial evidence from the third party are required.
Overseas Student Health Cover
Subsequent entrant partners of Subclass 500 holders are generally required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of the visa. OSHC is purchased from an approved Australian health insurance provider and must cover the applicant and any included family members. Evidence of OSHC for the full visa period must be provided at the time of application.
The cost of OSHC for a family can be significant and should be factored into financial planning. OSHC is not optional and is a direct condition of the visa. Lapse of OSHC during the visa can have consequences for future visa applications.
Planning the family pathway
The Subclass 500 is a temporary visa that typically transitions to a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa after the qualification is completed. The Subclass 485 may then transition to skilled migration, employer-sponsored, or partner visa pathways. When planning the family migration, the long-term trajectory should be considered at the point of the 500 subsequent entrant application. Strategic decisions at this early stage can materially affect the timing and cost of the eventual move of the family to permanent residence.
Student visa subsequent entrant applications done right
Subsequent entrant applications under the student visa framework require more than ticking boxes. Financial capacity, OSHC, work rights, and long-term pathway planning all need to be addressed together. Visa Plan Lawyers advises families on subsequent entrant applications within the broader framework of their Australian migration journey.