Family Members on a 482 Visa: Partners, Children and Adding Family Later

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) lets you bring your partner and children with you. Family members can apply with you or join later, but the rules on who qualifies, the sponsor’s agreement and how long their visa lasts catch many people out.

Who counts as a family member

Family member	Can be included?
Spouse or de facto partner	Yes
Child or stepchild under 23, not engaged, married or in a de facto relationship	Yes
Child or stepchild 23 or over	Only if incapacitated for work because of a loss of bodily or mental function and wholly or substantially reliant on you
Dependent child of an included child	Yes
Parents, brothers and sisters	No

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The sponsor must agree

This step is often missed. Under clause 482.315, a family member must either be listed on the nomination, or the sponsor with your most recent approved nomination must agree in writing that they can be a secondary sponsored person. The sponsor takes on obligations for them, so ask for the agreement early if family will join later.

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Applying together or later

• Together: family members are included in your application and get the same visa period as you;
• Later: family members apply as subsequent entrants. Their visa ends on the same date as yours.

Family members can be in different places from each other when they apply and when the visa is granted. Each one must meet the health and character requirements, and those under 18 need the consent of anyone with custody rights, under public interest criteria 4017 and 4018.

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When a child’s visa ends

A child who is not dependent in the legal sense has a visa that ends on the earlier of the end of your visa and the day before their 23rd birthday. Plan ahead if your child is approaching 23, as they may need their own visa, such as a student visa.

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Work, study and health cover

• family members have no work restrictions and can work for any employer;
• children can go to school, but some states charge fees for children of 482 holders. See school fees for 482 visa holders;
• everyone must keep adequate health insurance under condition 8501. See health insurance for 482 visa holders.

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What you should do now

• Before the nomination is lodged: ask your sponsor to list every family member who may come, including those joining later.
• Family joining later: get the sponsor’s written agreement before your family lodges.
• Children close to 23: check when their visa will end and plan another visa if needed.
• Children under 18: collect custody consents from any parent not travelling.