Bringing your family

Before you decide to bring your family to Australia you need to consider many issues including finances, visa requirements, education for dependants, accommodation, health insurance, childcare and English language classes.

• financial costs: airfares, accommodation, living, childcare
• education: for your spouse and children
• employment: opportunities are limited for your partner and children
• adapting to a new place and the effect this may have on your studies
• arrival: do you arrive together or do you come first and make living arrangements

Before you bring your family the Australian Government requires that you:

• tell the Australian visa office when you apply for your student visa.
• obtain a special visa for your family which states that they will be required to leave Australia when you complete your studies.
• prove that you can support your family for the duration of your study program
• obtain family health insurance (OSHC) for all members of your family

Visas for family members

Your family members will need to apply for a student dependant visa if they are coming to Australia while you study. Generally, periods of stay granted to family members will be for the same period as your visa.

• If your family accompanies you to Australia and will live here, they may apply for a visa on your visa application form. They must undergo a medical examination and hold health cover insurance.
• If they decide to come to Australia after you have arrived, they will have to apply separately.
• If your family is planning tovisit you in Australia for less than 3 months, they will need to apply for a tourist visa. Parents coming for a visit will also need to apply for a tourist visa.
• If you are an Australian Government sponsored student eg an international postgraduate research scholarship (IPRS) student you are advised to travel alone and request entry for your family members once you have settled in Melbourne.
• If you are an Australian Government sponsored student eg an international postgraduate research scholarship (IPRS) student you are advised to travel alone and request entry for your family members once you have settled in Melbourne.

Visit the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website for more visa information.

Proof of finances

Before a visa is granted for your partner or children, you will need to prove to the Australian Government that you can support them financially. Your partner and children (under 18 years of age) will then be granted a dependant student visa and will be able to stay in Australia for the duration of your stay.

Employment

Your spouse is entitled to work in Australia but spouse work rights are different from student work permits. Applications are made after your spouse arrives in Australia. Contact your Australian diplomatic mission for current information and check our working in Australia webpage.

Schooling and childcare for dependants

Schooling

Full time education is compulsory for all children in Victoria from the age of 5 - 15 years. If you bring school age children to Melbourne, you must pay fees for their education with a minimum cost of A$3,500 per year. Before enrolling in school, all students must provide evidence of their immunisation status. Students who come to RMIT University on Australian Government Scholarships can send their children to public schools free of charge.

The State of Victoria offers a wide choice of government and private (religious and non-religious) schools with excellent facilities. Government, or public, schools are co-educational, administered by the State government and charge low fees. Private schools are self-funded and more expensive. Other members of your family who study whilst in Australia, are also required to pay fees for their education.

Check the Victorian Government Department of Education, Employment and Training website for more information.

Childcare

Many childcare facilities are available in Melbourne including short and long-term childcare centres and home based care. The costs vary between different facilities.

RMIT childcare facilities

RMIT offers childcare facilities for children aged 3 months to 6 years in a safe, caring and appropriate environment that accommodates each child’s needs, differences and interests.

Day care centres

Most day care centres (those that are opened from 8am-6pm) offer full time care and have waiting lists so it is important to put your name down as soon as possible.

Family day care

Family day care provides home-based childcare for children aged 6 weeks - 5 years of age. This can be on a full-time or part-time basis.

Local government services

Your local government council provides services, such as health and community services, maternal and child health centres, childcare centres and libraries, in the area where you live. Services are listed under your local council’s name in the White Pages telephone directory.

Community groups

Members of community groups share a special interest. These may include: gardening, photography, book discussion, painting. Your local council can give you a list of community groups and contacts in your area. Your community library and local papers are good places to find other people with similar interests.

English classes

Your spouse may be interested in attending English classes. See the Yellow Pages telephone directory for a listing of places offering English classes

RMIT English Worldwide

RMIT English Worldwide (REW), previously known as RMIT’s Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), offers general and specialised English language programs.

More information

• Melbourne, Australia
• Australian Government visa regulations
• Australian diplomatic missions list
• Department of Education, Employment and Training
• Working in Australia
• Overseas student health cover