Skip to content

Study in Australia

Bringing family on an Australian Student visa

Last verified

Australia changed the rules on bringing family for applications made on or after 2 October 2026. Check this before you pick a course, pay a deposit, or promise your family a date.

The rule

For a first or a further Student visa, you can no longer include a partner or children in your application unless an exemption applies. Applications made before 2 October 2026 follow the rules in place on the day they were made, and current Student visas are not affected.

Who is exempt

You may be able to include family if you are:

  • a doctoral (PhD) student,
  • sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence,
  • receiving a fully funded foreign government scholarship, or
  • an eligible student from a Pacific country or an ASEAN member country.

Nepal is not in the Pacific or ASEAN groups, so a Nepali student needs one of the other exemptions. Australia Awards scholarships are run by DFAT: check the official page to see whether your scholarship counts.

Important details

  • The main applicant and every family member included must be in the same place when the application is lodged.
  • Family members cannot be added after the visa is granted. There is no exemption.
  • If family were already on your current visa and you apply in Australia for your next Student visa, you may be able to include them again.

What your family can do instead

Your partner or family may be able to visit on a Visitor visa. See our Australia visit visa guide for the fee and rules. If you graduate and move onto the Temporary Graduate visa, Home Affairs says you can bring your family with you.

Official sources

Common questions

Can I bring my husband or wife on an Australian Student visa?
Not in most cases. From 2 October 2026 most applicants cannot include a partner or children in a first or further Student visa application unless an exemption applies.
Who is exempt from the family rule?
Doctoral students, nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries, recipients of fully funded foreign government scholarships, and students sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence.
Is Nepal covered by the nationality exemption?
No. The nationality exemption covers Pacific and ASEAN countries, and Nepal is in neither group. Nepali students need another exemption, such as a doctoral course.
Can I add my family after my visa is granted?
No. Family members cannot be added after a Student visa is granted, and there are no exemptions to this rule.

More guides for this country

Australia

Study in Australia from Nepal

Strong universities, 48 hours of work a fortnight, and up to 3 years to work after you graduate.

Australia

Cost of studying

Visa fee, money to show and other costs, in one table.

Australia

Intakes

When courses start and when to apply.

Australia

Scholarships

Scholarships open to Nepali students.

Australia

Student visa

Documents, steps and rules for your visa or permit application.

Australia

Work rights

Part-time work and staying on after you graduate.

Compare other countries

Free checklist

Australia student visa document checklist

A tick-off list of every document, built from the official rules. Free to read online, with a printable PDF.

Open the checklist

Official sources used on this page

WhatsApp us