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Australia’s Student Dependant Ban: What Married Pakistani Students Should Do Now

On 17 September 2026 Australia’s Home Affairs Minister announced that most international students will no longer be able to bring a partner or children on their student visa. The restriction came into force on 2 October 2026.

By the Westside advisers, DHA Lahore · Updated 5 October 2026 · 4 min read

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What was announced

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on 17 September 2026, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said: “for international students, we will no longer be allowing the attaching of family members for international students or for graduate visas”.

Who is exempt

The Minister named these groups:

• PhD students, who can still bring family members.
• Pacific and ASEAN nationals, under their special arrangements. Pakistan is not in either group.
• Families already in Australia with members attached to a visa. The Minister said existing family members are not affected.

The rules in force also exempt students sponsored by DFAT or Defence and students receiving a foreign government scholarship.

What the rules now say

• The start date. The restriction came into force on 2 October 2026.
• Applications already lodged. Applications made before 2 October 2026 are decided under the old rules.
• Masters by research. The exemption names PhD students only, so plan on the basis that a research master’s is not exempt.
• Subsequent entrants. A student who already holds a Student visa can no longer add a partner or children later. There are no exemptions to this rule.

We will keep this page in line with any further changes from Home Affairs.

Your options if you are married

1. Consider a PhD. If you have a strong research background, a funded PhD is the one route the Minister clearly exempted. It is a four year commitment and needs a supervisor and research proposal, so start early. See our guide to doing a PhD in Australia from Pakistan.
2. Look at government scholarships. Students receiving a foreign government scholarship, or sponsored by DFAT or Defence, can still include family members. Check whether your employer or a Pakistani government scheme funds study in Australia.
3. Your spouse studies too. A partner who qualifies in their own right can apply for their own student visa. They must meet the English, academic, funds and genuine student requirements on their own.
4. Plan to study alone for now. Some couples decide one partner studies first. Be careful: visitor visas will carry a “no further stay” condition, so a spouse visiting on a visitor visa should not plan to switch to another visa inside Australia.
5. Compare other countries honestly. Each country treats study dependants differently, and the rules have changed a lot since 2024. We compare current rules for your course level before you pay any deposit.

What to do this month

• Do not pay a large tuition deposit for a coursework master’s on the assumption your family can join you.
• If you already hold a Student visa, you cannot add your partner or children later. Speak to an adviser before you plan for them to join you.
• Keep your funds evidence ready. You show AUD 29,710 for yourself, plus AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per child if you are in an exempt group, plus fees and travel. See our Australia student visa guide for Pakistani students for the full list.
• Check back for updates. We will add any further changes here as Home Affairs publishes them.

Frequently asked questions

Keep reading

Choose the Right Course First Time: Australia’s New Rules on Changing Provider or CourseAustralia Student Visa for Pakistani Students 2026/27: Evidence Level 3, the Genuine Student Test, AUD 29,710 in Funds and How to Get Priority ProcessingPhD Abroad for Pakistani Students 2027/2028: UK vs USA vs Australia vs New Zealand, Which Is Best?

This guide is general information from Westside Visa Consultants, not legal advice. Visa rules change often, so always confirm the latest position on the official government website before you apply.