Many married Bangladeshi students want to study in Australia without living apart from their spouse for two or more years. Under the current rules, your husband or wife can come with you on your student visa. But the government announced on 17 September 2026 that it plans to end this for most students. This guide explains what the law allows today, what the announcement means, and how couples can plan now.
1. Who Can Come With You Today
Current rule: if you hold or are applying for a Student visa (subclass 500), your spouse or de facto partner (including a same-sex partner) can be included as a family member (a secondary applicant) on the same subclass 500 visa. Dependent children can also be included.
- Together from the start: your partner is included in your own visa application and you are assessed together.
- Joining later: a partner can also apply after your visa is granted, as a "subsequent entrant". Migration advisers strongly recommend declaring every family member on your original application, even one who is not travelling yet. Leaving a spouse off the form can cause serious problems later.
Your partner must meet health and character requirements. This can include a medical examination and police clearance certificates.
2. The 17 September 2026 Announcement
What this means in practice:
- Until the change actually takes effect, applications are decided under the current rules described on this page.
- Nobody yet knows the start date, the final exemption list, or how applications lodged before the start date will be treated. Be wary of anyone who claims to know.
- If you are a bachelor's or coursework master's student, you should assume you may not be exempt once the change starts.
3. Your Partner's Work Rights
Under the current rules, your partner can work once your course has started in Australia:
| Your course | Your partner's work limit |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's, diploma, foundation or other non-master's course | 48 hours per fortnight |
| Master's (coursework or research) or doctorate (PhD), once the course has started | Unlimited hours |
The exact conditions are printed on the visa grant letter and can be checked any time through VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). Your partner should not start work until your course has begun. For what part-time work realistically pays, see our part-time earnings guide. Don't plan your budget around your partner's income. Jobs are not guaranteed, and the visa needs you to show funds up front.
4. Money and Health Cover for Two
Bringing a partner means showing more money and paying more costs:
- Financial capacity: you must show you can pay for your travel, tuition and living costs. The student's own living cost figure is AUD 29,710 per year. Home Affairs sets an extra annual amount for a partner, and further amounts for each child (and school costs for school-age children). Check the current figures on the Home Affairs student visa page before you prepare your bank documents.
- Visa charge: the Student visa base charge is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026. Adding family members costs more. Check the Home Affairs fee estimator for the current amounts.
- Health cover: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory for students and their dependants, including a spouse. You will need a couple or family policy for your whole stay. Prices vary by provider, so compare quotes rather than relying on a quoted figure.
- Living costs: a two-person household in Australia costs far more than a shared student room. See our real cost of studying in Australia guide.
Married and planning to study in Australia?
Our counsellors can check your family's documents and funds, and help you decide whether to apply together now or plan differently. Our service is free. Walk in to our Chattogram office or WhatsApp us.
Get Free Australia Guidance →5. Proving Your Relationship and Applying
You must show that your relationship is genuine. For married couples, the main document is your marriage certificate (for most Bangladeshi couples, the registered nikah nama). De facto partners need evidence of living together. Documents that support a genuine relationship can include:
- Registered marriage certificate, with a certified English translation if it is not in English
- Evidence of living together, such as a shared address on documents or joint bills
- Joint bank accounts or shared financial responsibilities, where you have them
- Photos, communication history and wedding documents, as supporting evidence only
- Both passports, identity documents and, where requested, police clearances and health examinations
Bangladesh has been at Evidence Level 3, the highest scrutiny level, since 8 January 2026. Expect your financial documents and the source of your funds to be checked closely. Make sure names, dates and addresses are consistent across all your documents. Your Genuine Student statement should explain your study plans clearly. Our GS statement guide can help.
6. Practical Advice for Couples Deciding Now
- If you want to go together, apply together now. While the current rules apply, including your partner in your own application avoids the risk that a later application is decided after the rules tighten.
- Plan for the possibility of living apart. If your partner cannot join you, can your family manage two or more years apart? Budget for visits home.
- Check whether your course may be exempt. Research degree and scholarship students are reported to be exempt, but wait for the official list before relying on it.
- Consider other countries. Other destinations have their own partner rules. See our comparison of the best countries for married students.
- Don't delay only for the announcement. A rushed, weak application is refused regardless of the partner rules. Get your finances and documents right first.