Adding my partner to my student visa
The partner visa allows partners to work, live and study in Australia. There are also numerous other perks that the visa holder is eligible for such as receiving access to Medicare.
Can I Add My Partner to My Student Visa?
If you're studying in Australia on a student visa and your relationship status has changed, you're probably wondering whether your partner can join you without either of you giving up your own visa pathway. It's often possible but the right process depends on your timing, your relationship history on paper, and your partner's own visa status.
This article covers who can be added as a secondary applicant to a student visa, how the process differs depending on timing, current costs, and work rights.
Disclaimer
Always confirm current fees on the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before applying.
Who can be Added as a Secondary Applicant?
A spouse or de facto partner can generally be added as a secondary applicant to a student visa (subclass 500) holder's application. This can happen in two ways:
- Before the student visa is granted: Your partner is included as a secondary applicant on the original application.
- After the student visa is granted: Your partner applies separately as a "subsequent entrant," joining your existing visa without you needing to cancel or reapply for your own.
Whether this is available to you depends on your specific circumstances, including whether your relationship was declared on your original application and whether you meet the de facto partner requirements below.
Common Reasons Why Students Add a Partner Later
- Avoiding a second set of course tuition fees for a partner who doesn't want to study
- A relationship forming after the original visa was granted
- A partner's own course finishing earlier, while the primary student still has time left
Declaring Your Relationship Early Makes this Easier
If there's any chance you might want to add a partner later, it's worth listing them as a de facto partner on your initial student visa application, even if they're not applying with you at that point. Not declaring the relationship upfront doesn't rule out adding them later, but it generally adds extra steps, since the Department may ask why the relationship wasn't declared originally.
To be recognised as a de facto partner, you'll generally need to show at least 12 months living together in a genuine, committed relationship immediately before applying. This 12-month requirement doesn't apply if:
- Your relationship is registered under an Australian state or territory relationship register, or
- Compelling and compassionate circumstances exist — most commonly, a dependent child of the relationship, or a situation where de facto relationships aren't legally recognised in your home country
See our full guide to the de facto relationship requirement for more detail on what's needed.
Work Rights for a Secondary Applicant
Once added, a secondary applicant generally receives the same visa condition (8104) as a dependent of a student visa holder:
- Work is capped at 48 hours per fortnight once the primary applicant has started their course
- Work can't begin until the primary applicant has commenced study
- This cap applies whether the primary student is in session or on a break
Note: This limit increased from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight from 1 July 2023. If you've seen the older 40-hour figure elsewhere, it's out of date.
How Much Does it Cost?
Disclaimer: Visa application charges change periodically. These figures reflect pricing from 1 July 2026. Confirm current charges on the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before applying.
|
Applicant |
Charge |
|
Main applicant (base visa) |
$2,500 |
|
Additional applicant, 18 and over (e.g. partner) |
$1,530 |
|
Additional applicant, under 18 (e.g. child) |
$500 |
If the main applicant is from a country where financial documentation is typically required, you'll likely also need to show evidence that you can support yourself and your partner while in Australia.
Check Your Eligibility
Our migration agents can review your specific situation with you. Check if you are eligible.
A Real Case (But Under Rules that Have Since Changed)
Disclaimer: This case study reflects a visa approved under immigration settings that applied at the time. Policy, fees and processing details have changed since, including the move from 40 to 48 work hours per fortnight and updated visa charges. It's included as an illustrative example, not as a guide to current requirements.
We previously worked with a French client who wanted to be added as a secondary applicant to her partner's student visa. The background:
She had met her Argentinian partner in Australia, and the two began a relationship. She was on a working holiday visa that was close to expiring, with no other visa options to stay and work in Australia. Her partner was roughly 18 months from finishing his course on a student visa. Neither of them had listed the other as a de facto partner on their earlier visa applications.
Working through the process with her, we helped her apply to be added as a secondary applicant to her partner's existing student visa, without needing to cancel his original visa. She provided the required supporting documents, and her visa was granted around three weeks after application, with the work rights and conditions that applied to secondary applicants under the rules in place at that time.
This example illustrates one case where a partner was added after a relationship wasn't declared from the outset. Processing times, work rights, and fees have since changed, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances.
If you have questions, make sure to speak with a registered migration agent to confirm your eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note the information given below is a general overview and not specific to any one situation. To fully determine your eligibility it is recommended that you talk to Immigration or a Registered Migration Agent. You can book in for a consultation with a Pathway to Aus Registered Migration Agent through this link.
What should I do if I think I might want to add my partner later?
Consider listing them as a de facto partner on your initial student visa application, even if they're not applying at the same time. This generally makes a later addition more straightforward.
Can I work as a secondary applicant?
Secondary applicants are generally given the same work rights as the primary student — up to 48 hours per fortnight once the primary applicant has started their course. This is subject to the case officer's assessment.
Can I list my partner as a de facto partner on a new application if I didn't declare them on my original visa?
This may be possible, but the Department may ask why the relationship wasn't declared earlier. You'll need to demonstrate you meet the de facto partner requirements, including the 12-month living-together rule (unless a registered-relationship or compelling-and-compassionate exception applies).
Can I add my partner as a secondary applicant on other visa types?
Partners can generally be added as secondary applicants to most permanent and temporary visas, including employer-sponsored visas such as the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, and General Skilled Migration visas. Eligibility depends on the specific visa.
What's the cost to add my partner?
As of 1 July 2026: the base student visa charge is $2,500, with $500 for an additional applicant under 18 and $1,530 for an additional applicant aged 18 or over. Confirm current figures before applying, as these change periodically.
How long does the process take?
Processing time varies by case. In cases we've assisted with, it has generally ranged from around 1 week to 1 month.
Can I apply from onshore?
Yes, this is usually possible provided you don't have a "no further stay" condition or another condition preventing an onshore application.
Will I need to keep paying tuition and finish my current course if I'm added as a secondary applicant?
Once granted a secondary applicant visa, you're generally no longer required to attend classes or pay further tuition for your previous course. You'll need to inform your education provider so they can cancel your enrolment.
Will I need to show financial evidence?
If the main applicant is from a country where financial documentation is typically required, you'll likely need to show evidence that you can support yourself and your partner in Australia.
Do I need to cancel my visa and reapply?
Generally, no. If you cancel your student visa without another valid visa in place, you become an unlawful non-citizen, which can make future visa applications significantly harder. It's usually better to apply for the secondary applicant visa while still holding your current visa. Speak with a migration agent before cancelling anything.
What will I be assessed against?
A secondary applicant is generally assessed on a similar basis to the main applicant, based on the combined risk profile of the main applicant's country of citizenship and their education provider, not a fixed per-country category.
What happens if we break up?
If you're no longer in a de facto relationship with the main applicant, you're required to notify the Department. Depending on timing, this may mean needing to leave Australia or apply for a different visa.
GET IN TOUCH
In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
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