AusAID students with family
For general information about bringing your family to Australia, see students with family.
You are usually not allowed to bring your family when you first arrive in Australia unless:
- you have a baby that needs to be breast-fed
- you are a female student and are not permitted to travel on your own due to cultural reasons
Before applying for family entry, you must have found suitable permanent accommodation for you and your family, and made the necessary childcare/school arrangements for their children. For visa information, please refer to the general information page.
For AusAID students from Papua New Guinea who started in or after 2007, please refer to the Family Entry Checklist for AusAID Students from Papua New Guinea.
Issues to consider
- Are you able to pay for airfares, OSHC, rent, food, clothing, etc for your family?
- Will your family be able to adjust to life in Australia easily?
- What are the problems your family will be facing if they do not speak English?
- Will your children's schooling be disrupted? Will the re-adjustment to the education system be a problem when they return to your home country?
- Will your spouse's career be disrupted?
Further considerations if you:
- are single parent or your spouse remains in the home country
- have a large family
- are struggling academically
- have a stressful relationship with your family
Childcare
AusAID students are usually entitled to childcare benefits if their child is enrolled in a registered childcare centre.
Take a copy of the checklist with you to every childcare centre you visit.
Contact the Australian Government's Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50 for details on the Commonwealth Government Childcare Benefit Scheme or visit www.familyassist.gov.au.
Visit the City of Melbourne website for information on childcare centres, parenting support, and useful links for families with children.
For more information on childcare services go to the University's Children's Services website.
Schooling
Your dependants are exempt from paying the International Tuition Fees if enrolled at a Victorian Government School. Your dependants are eligible to enrol in Victorian Government Primary, Secondary, and Special schools. This exemption does not cover the cost of school books, uniforms, stationery and school trips or activities.
For more information visit www.study.vic.gov.au or www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline
Applying for an exemption
- Contact a Victorian Government School in your area about enrolling your child
- Bring a copy of your visa. Inform the school that your child is on an AusAID dependant visa
- Ask the principal to write a letter confirming that a place is available at the school
- Submit an International Student Application Form to the International Student Program Unit (ISPU). Check the www.study.vic.gov.au website for contact details
As an AusAID student, you do not have to pay for the application fee. Your dependants are exempt from the tuition fees for the duration of your AusAID student visa.
Include the following documents with your application:
- A copy of your child's passport and visa
- A copy of you and your spouse's passport and visa
- A copy of your child's academic report for the past 2 years (not essential, but preferable for secondary school students)
The ISPU will issue an official exemption letter to you and the school once they receive your application. An eCOE (electronic Certificate of Enrolment) can be provided at this stage, but only if required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
OSHC arrangements
For students commencing on or after 1 January 2007, AusAID only covers the cost of your OSHC. You are responsible for organising and paying the visa length OSHC for all family members before they arrive in Australia.
If you commenced before 1 January 2007, AusAID covers the cost of OSHC for you and your dependants if they are holders of an AusAID dependant visa.
How to apply for family entry
See a student adviser at Student Financial Aid, and complete a financial assessment.
Submit a family entry application form and all relevant documents to the Ground Floor, 723 Swanston Street.
Required documents
- Family Entry Application Form
- Financial Assessment Form (from Student Financial Aid)
- Proof of permanent accommodation
- Proof of family overseas health cover (OSHC) for the length of your visa
- Letter of Offer for your school-aged children
- Proof of childcare arrangements if not accompanied by your spouse
Family Entry Checklist for AusAID Students from Papua New Guinea
All documents should be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Port Moresby.
- Completed form 157A. This should include all family members who intend to join the student in Australia
- Evidence of marriage (if your spouse is applying for a student dependent visa)
- Birth Certificates of all dependent children
- Baby Books for all dependent children only if the children’s' births were recently registered
- Adoption papers etc. if any dependent children are adopted
- Clear medicals for all dependents
- Police Clearance Certificate for your spouse
- Confirmation of Enrolment in school of all school-aged dependent children
- Consent from non-travelling parent (if applicable)
- Evidence that the family is covered by OSHC (such as a copy of the health insurance policy)
- Proof of funds in line with DIAC requirements
- Letter of Support from AusAID