Subclass 500 dependent visa processing time can run from a few weeks to a few months, and new rules from 2 October 2026 changed who can bring family at all. This guide covers timelines, costs, documents and the latest policy update in plain English, so you can plan with confidence.
Quick answer
- For applications lodged offshore, the Department of Home Affairs aims to start processing within 1 to 12 weeks, depending on the priority level.
- Applications lodged inside Australia are assessed in the order they were lodged.
- From 2 October 2026, family members can’t be added after the student’s visa is granted.
What Is a Subclass 500 Dependent Visa?
There’s no separate dependent visa. Family members hold a Subclass 500 as part of the student’s application, which is why people searching for a dependent visa Australia subclass 500 often find the rules confusing. The student visa subclass 500 covers the student and any eligible partner or dependent children included in the application.
Before 2 October 2026, family could also join later as “subsequent entrants”. That pathway is now closed.
What Is the Latest Policy Update?
Short answer: From 2 October 2026, Home Affairs changed the rules for Student (subclass 500) and Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas. The changes limit who can apply onshore and who can include family.
- Most new applicants can no longer include a partner or children, unless an exemption applies.
- Current Student visa holders can no longer add family members after the visa is granted. There are no exemptions to this rule.
- Most temporary visa holders can no longer lodge a Student visa while in Australia.
- Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are still assessed under the old rules.
Who Can Include Family Under the New Rules?
Short answer: Only a few student groups can include family at the time of application. Everyone else can’t.
|
Student category |
Can include family when applying? |
|
PhD students |
Yes |
|
DFAT or Defence-sponsored students |
Yes |
|
Foreign government scholarship holders |
Yes |
|
Eligible students from a Pacific or ASEAN country |
Yes |
|
Current holders with family already on their visa, applying onshore for the next one |
May include them |
|
All other new applicants |
No |
|
Adding family after the visa is granted |
No (no exemptions) |
The student and every family member must be in the same location (all in Australia or all outside) when the application is lodged.
How Long Does the Subclass 500 Dependent Visa Processing Time Take?
Short answer: Home Affairs doesn’t publish a dependants-only time. Timing follows the queue your application sits in: a priority level offshore, or lodgement order onshore.
Home Affairs shows Australian student visa processing times for recently decided applications in its online guide. It’s a guide only and isn’t specific to your case.
For applications lodged offshore on or after 14 November 2025, Ministerial Direction 115 sets three priority levels:
|
Priority |
Who it covers (examples) |
Home Affairs aims to start processing |
|
Priority 1 |
School, standalone ELICOS, TAFE, PhD and scholarship students; subsequent entrants including a minor; university and VET students at providers under their threshold |
1 to 4 weeks |
|
Priority 2 |
Students at providers that reached their prioritisation threshold; subsequent entrants without a minor |
5 to 8 weeks |
|
Priority 3 |
Students at providers that reached their upper threshold |
9 to 12 weeks |
These figures are the time to start processing, not the time to a decision. They’re based on 2025 lodgements and can change.
How Long Does Subclass 500 Dependent Visa Processing Time Take Onshore?
Short answer: Inside Australia, Home Affairs aims to assess applications in the order they’re lodged. Student visa onshore processing time therefore comes down to your lodgement date and how complete your file is.
Remember, most temporary visa holders can’t lodge onshore any more. If the new rules apply to you, you must be outside Australia when you lodge and when the visa is granted.
What Slows Down Dependent Applications?
- Missing documents. A missing document is the fastest way to blow out your student dependent visa Australia processing time.
- Provider status. Offshore, the student’s education provider status sets the priority level, which decides the queue.
- Peak periods. Busy lodgement periods around semester starts can stretch Australia dependent visa 500 processing time.
- Health and character checks. Late medicals or police certificates hold everything up.
What Does a Dependent Pay?
Short answer: The charge for each extra family member is lower than the student’s, but it’s still significant and non-refundable.
|
Applicant |
Charge (AUD, from 1 July 2026) |
|
Main student applicant (most applicants) |
$2,500 |
|
Additional applicant aged 18 or over |
$1,530 |
|
Additional applicant under 18 |
$500 |
Lower rates apply to some groups, such as ASEAN passport holders. Confirm your exact charge in the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
What Documents Do Family Members Need?
Every family member on a 500 dependent visa application needs their own set of documents:
- Valid passport for each person
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate or de facto evidence)
- Birth certificates for children
- The student’s Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole family
- Health examinations and police certificates where requested
- Evidence of enough funds to support the student and family
How Can You Avoid Delays?
- Check the official guide first. Australia 500 visa processing times change as lodgements rise and fall, so look before you book flights.
- Lodge a complete application. Use the Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool.
- Book health checks early. Don’t wait for Home Affairs to ask.
- Check ImmiAccount often and reply to requests quickly.
- Get advice before you lodge. A mistake on family inclusion can’t be fixed later.
Conclusion
Planning around Australia student dependent visa time is smart, but eligibility matters more now. Since 2 October 2026, most students can’t bring family at all, and nobody can add them after the visa is granted. If you qualify for an exemption, a complete and accurate application is your best protection against delay.
Not sure whether your family qualifies? Book a free consultation with our registered immigration agent Perth and get a clear plan before you lodge.
FAQs
Is there a separate Subclass 500 dependent visa?
No. Family members are included in the student’s Subclass 500 application. There’s no stand-alone dependent subclass.
Can I add my partner or child after my Student visa is granted?
No. From 2 October 2026, Home Affairs has ended subsequent entrant applications, with no exemptions.
What is the Subclass 500 dependent visa processing time for a child?
For subsequent entrant applications lodged before the rule change, applications including a minor were Priority 1. Home Affairs aims to start processing those within 1 to 4 weeks.
Do applications lodged before 2 October 2026 still get assessed?
Yes. They’re assessed under the rules that applied when they were lodged, including applications that included family.
Can I speed up my dependants’ visa?
Not by choosing a queue. Priority is set by your provider’s status at lodgement, so the best approach is a complete application, early health checks and fast replies to Home Affairs.
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