Planning to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa with your partner or children? New rules could affect whether they can be included in your application.
From 13 November 2026, the Australian Government has introduced stricter requirements for family members applying for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
These changes affect who can be included, where applicants must be located and when family members must apply.
Importantly, the eligibility requirements for primary subclass 485 applicants remain unchanged.
What Has Changed?
Under the new rules, you can generally only include family members who were dependants on your previous Student visa or Temporary Graduate visa.
For your first subclass 485 visa, eligible family members must currently hold, have held on 2 October 2026, or have held within the previous six months, a Student visa as your dependant.
For your second subclass 485 visa, family members must currently hold or have held within the previous six months a Temporary Graduate visa as your dependant.
However, certain exceptions apply.
Who Can Include New Family Members?
You may be able to include family members who were not on your previous visa if you:
- Are a Pacific or ASEAN national.
- Completed a PhD while holding a Student visa.
- Completed a course fully funded by a foreign government while holding a Student visa.
Special provisions also apply to eligible newborn children.
Family Members Must Apply at the Same Time
One of the most significant changes is that family members can no longer apply later as subsequent entrants.
Under the new requirements:
- The primary applicant must be in Australia when applying.
- Eligible family members can be inside or outside Australia.
- All eligible family members must apply at the same time as the primary applicant.
- Family members cannot be added after the visa is granted.
This makes planning ahead particularly important for graduates intending to remain in Australia with their families.
What About Newborn Children?
If your child was born outside Australia after your most recent Student or Temporary Graduate visa was granted, you may be able to include them in your subclass 485 application.
If your child is born in Australia while you hold a Temporary Graduate visa, they will automatically hold a subclass 485 visa as a dependant. You must still notify the Department of Home Affairs of the birth.
Important: ImmiAccount May Still Allow Invalid Applications
Even if ImmiAccount allows you to add a family member, this does not guarantee they are eligible.
An application that does not meet the new requirements may be considered invalid, potentially affecting your family member’s visa status and future options.
A decision that an application is invalid cannot be merits reviewed.
What If You Applied Before 13 November 2026?
Applications lodged before 13 November 2026 will be assessed under the rules in place when the application was submitted.
Planning Your Temporary Graduate Visa Application?
With these new restrictions, understanding your family’s eligibility before lodging your application is more important than ever.
At NB Migration Law, we have been assisting migrants with their Australian migration journeys since 1998. Our experienced migration lawyers can help you understand the requirements, assess your family’s circumstances and prepare your visa application.
Don’t risk your family’s visa options. Contact NB Migration Law today for professional migration advice.
Source: Department of Home Affairs – Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)