Can I include my family members in my 186 visa application?
Yes — the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa allows you to include eligible family members in your application, so your loved ones can obtain Australian permanent residency alongside you. Understanding who qualifies, what requirements apply, and how the process works is an essential part of planning your 186 visa journey.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about including family members in your 186 visa application.
Who qualifies as a family member?
Under Australia's migration law, the following people qualify as eligible family members for inclusion in your 186 visa application:
- Your spouse or de facto partner (including same-sex partners)
- Dependent children under 18 years of age (including stepchildren)
- Children aged 18 or over who cannot work due to a physical or cognitive limitation
All family members must meet Australia's health and character requirements. Importantly, you can include family members at the time of your application or add them later — but there are cost and timing implications to each approach.
Who can you include?
Your spouse or de facto partner (including same-sex partners) can be included in your 186 visa application. They will receive the same visa grant and become a permanent resident alongside you. Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing, and your partner must meet health and character requirements. De facto partners must have been in the relationship for at least 12 months prior to application (unless registered).
Your dependent children can be included in your 186 visa application. This includes children under 18 years of age, as well as dependent children over 18 who are unable to work due to a disability. Step-children and legally adopted children are also eligible, provided the dependency relationship is genuine and ongoing.
Unsure If Your Family Members Qualify?
Our experienced immigration lawyers can assess your family's eligibility and guide you through the 186 visa process. Book a consultation today.
What Requirements Must Family Members Meet?
Every family member included in your 186 visa application must meet a set of requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. These requirements apply whether family members are added at the time of your application or nominated as secondary applicants at a later stage.
Key requirements at a glance
All family members included in a 186 visa application must meet Australia's health requirements. This typically involves an immigration medical examination conducted by an approved panel physician. The aim is to protect public health and ensure family members do not place an excessive burden on Australia's health system.
Family members must also meet Australia's character requirements. This generally means they must not have a substantial criminal record and must be of good character. The Department of Home Affairs assesses character through police clearances and may request additional information depending on the applicant's history.
Secondary applicants over 18 must generally meet functional English requirements. This can be demonstrated through a recognised test such as IELTS or equivalent. If a family member does not meet the English requirement, they may need to pay a second instalment of the visa application charge, known as the SECC.
Application fees and timelines
Fees and Processing Times for Family Members
Including family members in your 186 visa application involves additional visa application charges (VAC). Each secondary applicant attracts a fee, which varies depending on their age and English language ability. Family members aged 18 or over who do not meet functional English may need to pay a second instalment (SECC) before their visa is granted.
Processing times for family members are generally aligned with the primary applicant. If a family member is added after the primary visa is granted, their application is assessed separately and may take additional time. It is strongly recommended to include all eligible family members in your initial application where possible to avoid delays and additional costs.
Should you include family members now or later?
Including family members at the time of your initial 186 visa application is the most cost-effective and straightforward approach. It avoids the need for a separate application later, reduces overall processing time, and ensures all family members gain residency together. This is strongly recommended where all family members are known and eligible at the time of lodgement.
Family members can be added to an existing 186 visa after it has been granted, but this requires a separate application and additional costs. You will need to demonstrate that the family member was part of your family unit at the time of your original visa grant. Delays are common, and additional VAC fees apply. It is advisable to seek legal advice before pursuing this path.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions
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Get Expert Advice on Your 186 Visa Application
Including family members in a 186 visa application involves careful planning, meeting multiple eligibility requirements, and managing costs. Our experienced immigration lawyers can help you navigate the process, ensure all documents are correctly prepared, and give your family the best chance of a successful outcome.
Who qualifies as a family member?
Keith James
Keith is a graduate of Monash Law School. He moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2014 and has a passion for working with migrants, who aspire to call Australia their dream home. Being a migrant himself, he has a tremendous capacity to empathise with the problems his clients face and focuses on providing them with outcomes that leads to Permanent Residency in the shortest possible time.
Keith practices in all aspects of Migration law, with a particular focus on Skilled Migration and Family visas. He stays abreast on the latest updates in state nomination criteria and has a wide range of options available to assist his clients navigate their migration aspirations.
- LLB (Monash University, Australia)
- Member (Law Institute of Victoria)
- Member (Migration Institute of Australia)
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