How to Apply for Australian Dependent Student Visa 2018

What is a Australian Dependent Student Visa in Australia?

An international student who enters Australia with a student visa to pursue an academic course of 12 months or longer duration is allowed to bring close family members as dependents. Australian immigration rules allow spouses, partners and unmarried children of less than 18 years to be eligible for dependent student visas.

Rights Under Australian Dependent Student Visa

Dependent partners are granted work rights in Australia. These rights depend on the course of study of the student. These rights are:

• A dependent partner can study in Australia for any course of 3 months or lesser duration
• For a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree, the dependent partner will be allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight
• For a student pursuing a master’s degree or a doctorate degree or doing research work, the dependent partner will have full and unlimited work rights

Eligibility for Australian Dependent Student Visa

To be eligible to enter Australian as a dependent on a student visa the following are the eligibility conditions:

• For dependent spouse or partner
  • The dependent person must be your spouse (the person you are married to) or de facto partner (including same-sex partners)
  • If the dependent is your de facto partner, you must have been living with your partner for at least 12 months, and you share a genuine and exclusive relationship with your partner
• For dependent child
  • The dependent child must be your child or that of your partner
  • The child must not be married or engaged to be married or in a de facto relationship
  • The child must be less than 18 years of age and must be still in continuous education (i.e. studying A-levels)

Documents Required for Australian Dependent Student Visa

To ensure your application is processed as quickly as possible, please ensure the documents mentioned below are included in your application:

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• All the courses completed by your nominator in Australia
• Your nominator’s current enrolment in Australia
• Your nominator’s current attendance record
• Notarised copy of all the pages of the passport of the applicant
• Evidence of a genuine and ongoing relationship between the nominator and the applicant
• Divorce certificate if previously married and divorced

Documents Required for Children/Minor applicants

In case of minor applicants, provide evidence of:

• Schooling arrangement and confirmation of enrolment in a school for the accompanying minor
• Form 1229 signed by both parents along with identity documents to verify signatures

Steps to follow to apply for Australian Dependent Student Visa

To get your Australian dependent visa you will have to be nominated by your partner in his/her application for Australia student visa, or he/she will have to nominate you while already studying in Australia.

• Step 1: Complete the nomination form
  • Your first step is to fill up the nomination form, Form 919. 

• Step 2: Gather the required documents for the application
  • Make a checklist of the documents that are needed to submit along with the application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready.

• Step 3: Send the nomination form to your dependent
  • Send the completed nomination form along with the required documents to your dependent overseas.

• Step 4: Fill up the application form
  • Your dependent must complete the form 157A Application for an Australian student dependent visa

• Step 5: Submit both the forms
  • Your dependent must submit the form 157A Application and the Form 919 Nomination along with the required documents to an Australian mission or consulate near him/her

• Step 6: Pay the required application fee
  • Your dependent must pay the applicable fee for the dependent student visa at the time of submitting the application form

• Step 7: Collect the dependent visa
  • After the dependent visa is issued your dependent must collect it on time

Do’s and Don’ts for Australian Dependent Student Visa

You must remember the following dos and don’ts for Australian Dependent Student Visa.

Dos

• Declare your family members in your Australian student visa application form, even if they may not travel with you to Australia
• Fill up your application form carefully with all accurate details as incomplete application forms will not be accepted under any circumstances
• Bring original copies and certified photocopies of all supporting documents when you come to submit your application at the Australian Immigration Department

Don’ts

• Do not present false documents
• Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your application