Partner and child documents for Subclass 500 in 2026: marriage, birth and custody proof

From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders — including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders — can no longer apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) while in Australia, and new Student visa applicants generally cannot include family members unless an exemption applies. The fact packs released by Study Australia on 7 October 2026 do not list the exact marriage, birth or custody documents required; they direct applicants to the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool and the official subclass 500 and subclass 590 pages for current documentary requirements.

What the 2026 changes mean for including a partner or child

Change	Detail
Onshore application restriction	From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders must apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
Student visa holders	Generally cannot apply for another Student visa onshore unless an exemption applies (DFAT/Defence sponsored, doctoral or school studies, provider default, up to 12 months to finish current course, or progressing to a higher‑level course).
Family member inclusion	First‑time and further Student visa applicants cannot include partners or children unless an exemption applies.
Exemptions for family members	Doctoral students; nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries; fully‑funded foreign government scholarship recipients; students sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence.
Transitional arrangement	Applicants who already had family members in their visa or visa application before 2 October 2026 may include the same family members in a new onshore application, provided they are eligible to apply onshore.
No additions after grant	No Student visa holder can add a partner or child after the visa is granted — there are no exemptions to this rule.
Applications lodged before 2 October 2026	Continue to be assessed under the rules in place at lodgement.

Document requirements for partner and child

The Study Australia bulletins do not specify the exact marriage certificates, birth certificates, custody orders or parenting plans that must be submitted. The authoritative, up‑to‑date list is maintained in the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool, which tailors the required evidence to each applicant’s circumstances (country of passport, relationship type, whether the child is accompanying or staying behind, etc.).

Typical categories of evidence the tool may request include:

Marriage or de facto relationship: marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, statutory declarations, joint financial records, shared address evidence.
Child’s identity and relationship to applicant: full birth certificate showing both parents’ names, adoption order, surrogacy court order.
Custody or parental responsibility: court orders, parenting plans, consent letters from the non‑accompanying parent, evidence of sole legal custody where applicable.

Because the 2 October 2026 reforms change who may include family members — not which documents prove the relationship — the document categories above remain the same. Applicants should run the Document Checklist Tool for their specific situation each time they prepare an application.

Key considerations before you apply

Check onshore eligibility — If you are in Australia on a temporary visa other than those exempt, you must depart and apply offshore.
Verify family‑member exemptions — Confirm whether your course level, sponsorship or nationality qualifies you to include a partner or child.
Use the Document Checklist Tool — Generate a personalised list of required marriage, birth and custody documents before lodging.
Plan for the “no additions after grant” rule — All accompanying family members must be included at application; later additions are impossible.
Seek individual advice — Visa outcomes depend on personal circumstances. For case‑specific guidance, consult a migration agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

Where to find the current official requirements

Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool – generates a tailored evidence list for subclass 500 and subclass 590.
Department of Home Affairs Student visa (subclass 500) page – policy overview, eligibility, and application steps.
Department of Home Affairs Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) page – for guardians accompanying students under 18.
Study Australia Student visa application changes: October 2026 update – summary of the 2 October 2026 reforms.
Study Australia October 2026 Student visa changes for agents – agent‑focused version of the same reforms.

Note: The proposed Transfer stream for students changing providers and the Temporary Graduate visa family‑member restrictions are still being developed; no details or effective dates have been published.