Bringing your family
We can help you to:
- prepare to bring your spouse and children to Australia
- find child care
- organise schools for your children
- find support groups and international communities.
On average, it can take 2-4 months to bring your family to Australia. You should consider the financial and social issues before deciding to move your family.
If you want to bring your family to Australia, you should discuss your options with an international student adviser.
Applying to bring your family to Australia
You can apply to bring your family to Australia with a:
- visitor visa
- dependant visa.
Apply for a visitor visa if your family members want to stay for 6 months or less. They'll need to apply directly to the Australian High Commission or Embassy in your country.
Apply for a dependant visa if your family will stay for more than 6 months. Children over the age of 18 are not dependants. You can apply for a dependant visa through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Applying for a dependant visa (DIAC)
Overseas student health cover
You will need to organise Overseas Student Health Cover for you and your family before you come to Australia.
Financial issues
It can be quite expensive to move your family to Australia.
If you're on an AusAID scholarship, there is no extra financial support for family members. AusAID does not pay for airfares for your family.
Please contact an AusAID officer for more details.
If you're an undergraduate student, your husband or wife can only work for up to 20 hours a week after you've started studying. If you're a postgraduate student, they can work full-time after you've started studying.
Visa conditions for family members (DIAC)
Social issues
Your husband or wife and children will have to get used to life in Australia, just like you. This might be difficult, and it could take your family some time to adjust. If you feel situations at home are beyond your control, it is important to seek help immediately from International Student Services.
Schooling
If you intend to bring your children for schooling you can find information on enrolment and fees from Education Queensland International (EQI). You will be required to pay school fees for your dependent children unless you are from an exempt category.
Some of the changes to the conditions for exemption categories take effect from 1 January 2012 and others from 1 January 2013.
Conditions of fee exemption for dependant students
Education Queensland International
International women's and men's groups
We have support groups for you and your spouse. The groups present:
- workshops
- seminars
- activities to share cultures and create a support network between members.
The international women's group also offers an English conversation class
