If you are applying for a student visa and there is the possibility that you may want to add them as a secondary applicant after the student visa, then you should consider listing them as a de facto partner on your initial student visa application. If you do not list your partner as a de facto on your initial student visa application, it makes the application process a little more complex and difficult in the future.

Generally speaking, the secondary applicant will be given the same work rights as a student (so you can work for up to 40 hours per fortnight). However this is discretionary granted by the case officer.

Yes you may be able to. However Immigration may ask why you didn’t list them as a de facto partner on your initial student visa application. Just to let you know, “I forgot”, is generally not a good enough excuse. No matter if the relationship is a newly formed or long term relationship, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the De Facto relationship requirement. This means that you have demonstrated commitment to a shared life together, and that you have lived together for 12 months. (*There may be a few ways to get around the 12 months living arrangement) There are also several other steps to take to update your relationship status with Immigration.

You can add your partner as a secondary applicant to most permanent and temporary work visas including the 457 visa and general skilled migration visa

If you apply at the same time of the main applicant the current cost is $460. If you apply separately to the main applicant the cost is $550 (Prices current as of the 10th of July 2019).

The time taken can really depend on what assessment level the main applicant is. When we have assisted clients it has taken anywhere from 1 week – 1 month.

Yes you can usually apply from onshore, provided you do not have a no further stay condition on your visa. Or any other condition preventing you from applying within Australia.

Once a student has successfully been granted the secondary applicant visa, they are no longer required to attend class or pay future tuition fees for the course they were previously studying. However you must let the education provider know that you no longer intend to study so they can cancel your enrollment and will not charge you.

It is advised that if the main applicant is from an assessment level 2 or 3 country, that you will need to provide financial documentation proving you have sufficient finances to support yourself and your partner in Australia.

It is very common for someone in a relationship to not want to study anymore. Perhaps the couple is under financial stress and can no longer afford two tuitions fees. Perhaps they simply do not want to continue studying the course. Whatever you do, be sure to seek advice before canceling your student visa.. If you cancel your student visa, you will become an unlawful citizen. This means that it may make it a lot more difficult for you in the future to apply for visas. Instead, it may be best to just apply for the new secondary applicant visa whilst on your current visa. Once the new visa is granted, the secondary applicant will no longer need to attend or pay for future tuition fees. For more information about canceling your student visa, read this article

The secondary applicant will be assessed as the same assessment level of the main applicant. If the main applicant is from an assessment level 1 country, the secondary applicant will generally only be assessed as an assessment level 1 applicant, regardless of what country they come from.

If you break up with your partner, you are no longer the De Facto partner of the main applicant. Therefore, it is a requirement to notify Immigration to changes in the family unit. Consequently, if you break up, you may need to leave Australia, or apply for a different visa.