Aus Visa Library

Understanding Partner Visa Requirements in Australia

Partner Visa
Understanding Partner Visa Requirements in Australia
The Australian skilled visa program allows applicants to include spouses, partners, and dependent children in their visa, giving the whole family work, study, and healthcare rights, but strict eligibility and documentation apply.

Every year, thousands of people look to Australia as a land of opportunity, keen to build a better life for themselves and their families. The Australian skilled visa program is one of the most popular migration pathways, supporting Australia’s workforce with talented professionals from around the globe. If you're considering applying for a skilled visa, you may wonder, "Can I include my family members in my application?" The answer is yes, but there are important details, conditions, and procedures you should know.

Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to including family members in your skilled visa application. This information is essential for professionals, carers, people with disabilities, and families who want to understand their rights and options under the Australian migration system.

What Does It Mean to Include Family Members in a Skilled Visa Application?

Including family members—sometimes called secondary applicants—in your skilled visa application allows them to travel with you to Australia, and access the same rights and privileges as you, such as work, study, and healthcare. This ensures families stay together, making migration less stressful and more beneficial for everyone involved.

Why is this Important?

  • Family unity: Staying together and supporting each other during migration.
  • Shared benefits: Family members receive the same visa entitlements.
  • Long-term settlement: Children can attend school, spouses can work, and all can access healthcare.

How Does Including Family Members Work in the Context of Australian Migration?

Skill Select and Visa Streams

The skilled visa system includes several subclasses, the most common being:

  • Subclass 189: Skilled Independent Visa
  • Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa
  • Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

For each, the principal applicant (the main visa candidate) can include eligible family members in their application both at lodgment or, in certain cases, after grant (known as subsequent entrant applications).

Who Can You Include?

Generally, the following family members can be included as secondary applicants:

  • Spouse or de facto partner (of any gender)
  • Dependent children (usually under 18, or over 18 if substantially dependent)
  • Stepchildren (if they meet the dependency criteria)
  • In very limited situations, other dependent relatives (e.g., a disabled or elderly parent), but this is rare and only for certain visa subclasses.

Note: Each family member must meet specific health and character requirements, submitting supporting documents and medical exams.

Step-by-Step: How to Include Family Members

1. Decide Who is Eligible

Check immigration definitions for "member of the family unit" (MoFU). Usually, this means:

  • Married or de facto spouse/partner
  • Children (biological, adopted, or stepchildren) dependent on you

2. Prepare Their Documents

For each family member, you will need:

  • Passport and identification
  • Evidence of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption papers)
  • Character documents (police checks)
  • Health/medical assessments

3. Include Them in Your Application

  • Online application: When completing your visa application in ImmiAccount, you will be prompted to list all accompanying family members.
  • Invitations and Points Test: Family members do not increase points, but must be declared at the EOI (Expression of Interest) stage.
  • Fees: There are additional fees for each family member included.

4. Changes After Lodgment

  • If a family member is born or you marry after applying but before grant, you must notify the Department of Home Affairs.
  • For provisional visas like Subclass 491, family can join you as “subsequent entrants” if not included initially.

Key Benefits and Features

  • Work and Study Rights: Adult family members can usually work or study in Australia.
  • Access to Health Care: Eligible for Medicare under most subclasses.
  • Pathway to Permanent Residency: For visas with provisional stages, family members can be included in future PR applications.
  • Children’s Schooling: Dependent children can attend Australian schools.
  • Shared processing: Entire family assessed as one unit for faster decisions.

Costs Associated

Costs can differ based on the visa subclass, number, and ages of family members:

  • Primary applicant fee: Varies ($4,640 for Subclass 189/190 as of 2024)
  • Dependent applicants over 18: Usually about $2,320 each
  • Dependent applicants under 18: About $1,160 each
  • Subclass 491 (provisional): Cheaper than PR but similar structure
  • Other costs: Health checks, police certificates, translations

Total costs increase as more family members are included. Fee increases are announced annually, so always check the latest at the Department of Home Affairs website.

Duration and Processing Times

  • Processing times: Range from 4 months to over a year for skilled visas.
  • Family member applications: Processed together, so delays for one (e.g., unresolved health checks) can delay the whole group.
  • Subsequent entrants: May have additional waiting periods.

Common Professions Applying for Skilled Visas

Skilled migration is popular among:

  • ICT professionals: software engineers, analysts, developers
  • Engineers: civil, mechanical, electrical
  • Healthcare: nurses, doctors, allied health
  • Tradespeople: electricians, carpenters, plumbers
  • Academic and teaching staff
  • Accountants and auditors

These professionals often migrate with spouses and young children, or with a partner who is also highly skilled.

Common Challenges and Solutions

1. Relationship Proof

Challenge: Providing sufficient evidence for