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.
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
AusAID dependant visa
Family members who intend to stay with you while you are studying in Australia will need to apply for a student dependant visa. The AusAID office in your home country may be able to assist you with the application.
For international students, the term "family members" covers your spouse (including a de facto), unmarried dependent children under 18, and a fiancé whom you intend to marry within three months of arrival in Australia.
Generally, periods of stay granted to family members are the same as the student.
On this page:
Childcare
AusAID students are usually entitled to childcare benefits if their child is enrolled in a registered childcare centre.
Take a copy of the childcare 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/payments/family-assistance-payments/child-care-benefit.
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.
How much will child care cost?
The cost of child care can vary significantly depending upon where your child is enrolled, the hours or days that are required and the facilities and programs that are provided.
If you have one child enrolled in child care for 5 days per week at the University of Melbourne and you are eligible the full entitlement of Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate and you also apply and receive the full entitlement for a Student University Rebate, you will be paying approximately $76.
Student Rebate Scheme
The University of Melbourne's Children's Services offers students a rebate for their child costs. Your child does not have to attend a University childcare centre to be eligible for the student rebate as it can be paid to cover the costs at any childcare centre.
This rebate is also means tested but if you are eligible for 51% or more of the Child Care Benefit you will be entitled to the full student rebate.
Government assistance
The following benefits are managed by the Department of Human Services:
- The Child Care Benefit is a means tested benefit. If you earn under $40 000 per year you will be entitled to 100% of the Benefit. The Child Care Benefit is an hourly discount of approximately $3.90 per hour.
- The Child Care Rebate is equal to 50% out of pocket expenses
Immunisation
Recent changes to government legislation has meant that international students, including AusAID students who bring their families to Australia, no longer have access to free immunisations. The cost of immunisation will not be covered by your OSHC provider.
Why immunise?
There are a couple of reasons for immunising your child, apart from it being the safest and most effective way of giving protection against the disease.
- You need to immunise your child to be eligible for Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate through Department of Human Services.Your children must meet immunisation requirements if they are under the age of seven. You must be able to demonstrate that:
- your child's immunisation is up to date, or
- your child is on a catch-up immunisation schedule, or
- you have an approved exemption from the immunisation requirements for your child.
- You need to immunise your child to enrol your child into in primary or secondary school your child will need to have a school entry status certificate. A school entry status certificate is a current record of your child’s immunisation. It is a legal document required to enrol your student into primary or secondary school.
Cost of immunisation
The cost of immunisation can be expensive depending on your child’s age and which immunisations your child requires. We suggest that you consult the University's Health Service to work out what your child requires. Bring with you any documentation about immunisations that your child has already received from your home country.
It may be cheaper to have the immunisation done in your country of origin if your family has not already joined you.
The University's Health Service will provide immunisation for the cost of the injections without a service charge. Other medical clinics may be more expensive. Contact the University’s Health Service for more information.
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, refer to:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Applying for an exemption
- Submit a Dependant Application Form to the International Education Division by post or email. This is treated as an application for a place in the schools you have chosen as well as a fee exemption letter.
- Locate any suitable schools in your area. A map showing the locations of all Victorian government schools in Melbourne is available on the website of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Your application should include:
- 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 International Education Division 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).
Family OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
The University has chosen Allianz Global Assistance as its preferred OSHC provider. We will arrange single coverage for you with Allianz Global Assistance before you arrive.
Before your apply for the dependent visa for your family, you must provide evidence that they have visa length OSHC. You are required to arrange your family coverage with Allianz Global Assistance.
To upgrade your policy to a family cover, go to https://www.oshcallianzassistance.com.au/member_student/login.aspx
If you wish to arrange your family OSHC with other providers, refer to this list of government-approved OSHC providers. Please bear in mind that different providers' policies may vary with respect to the treatments that are covered and waiting periods.
How to apply for family entry
See a student adviser at Student Financial Aid, and complete a financial assessment form.
Submit all the required documents to the AusAID Student Contact Officer:
- Completed family entry application form
- Completed Financial Assessment Form (from Student Financial Aid)
- Proof of permanent accommodation (e.g. rental agreement)
- Proof of family overseas health cover (OSHC) for the length of your visa
- Letter of Offer for your school-aged children (or fee exemption letter from the International Education Division)
- 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
Family entry checklist for AusAID Students from the Philippines
Send an email to Rod Sollesta (rod.sollesta@ausaid.gov.au) from the Australian Embassy in Manila and confirm that:
- you have considered the financial implications of bringing your family to Australia
- you have arranged family accommodation
- health insurance has been arranged for family members
- the Australia institution agrees to the family arrival
In your email, attach all required documents for family entry.