Can Family Members Come with Me on a Subclass 400 Visa in 2026?
Yes. You can include members of the family unit in your Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400) application, but they are not allowed to work or study in Australia — the only exception is a language training program. This is set out on the Australian Department of Home Affairs official page for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400), as of the August 2026 version of that page.
Who exactly counts as a family member?
For this visa, your family members are:
- your partner
- your dependent child and stepchild
- your partner's dependent children and stepchildren
That list is fixed by the visa's own rules, so a parent, sibling, or an independent adult child would not come along as a family member on this application. A dependent child under 18 also needs proof of the relationship, normally a birth certificate.
Can my partner or children work in Australia?
No. Family members included in a Subclass 400 application are not permitted to work in Australia. The work entitlement on this visa belongs to the main applicant, whose short-term, highly specialised job is the reason the visa exists in the first place.
If your partner needs to work while they are in Australia, this visa is the wrong instrument for that, and you would need to look at the Department's other work visa options before committing to a plan.
Can my children go to school while we are there?
Not to a formal course. Family members on this visa cannot study in Australia, except to do a language training program. In practical terms, that means enrolling a child in primary or secondary school, or a course leading toward a degree, diploma or trade qualification, is not something this visa permits; a language program is.
The same restriction is reflected in the Migration Regulations 1994, where clause 400.312 limits what a secondary applicant may intend to study. If schooling is a firm requirement for your family, plan for a stay where the children's education is handled through another visa pathway.
What documents do you need for a partner and for children?
For a partner, you provide identity documents and character documents, plus documents about other relationships if applicable, and either:
- your current marriage certificate, or
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before you apply
Documents used for a de facto relationship include joint bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names, joint leases or mortgages, and documents showing your partner lived at the same address as you.
For every dependant under 18 applying with you, provide the child's identity documents, proof of your relationship with them (such as a birth or marriage certificate), and their character documents if applicable. Under the Migration Regulations 1994, applicants under 18 can also be subject to additional public interest criteria covering matters such as guardian consent and the best interests of the child, so check the current legislation and the Department's page for how those apply to your situation.
All non-English documents need to be translated into English, and you submit the original together with the translation.
When can family members be added to the application?
You can include them when you apply, and you can add family members at any time before the Department makes a decision on your application. Each family member needs their own application charge paid and their own documents attached to their application — a family added late is not processed on the strength of your paperwork alone.
You, and anyone included in the application, must be outside Australia when you apply and when the application is decided.
What requirements does each family member have to meet?
Both you and the family members applying with you must meet the health requirement and the character requirement, though the character requirement applies to family members aged 16 and over. You must also be able to show that you and your family have enough means to support yourselves while in Australia.
For funds, the Department lists evidence of funds such as an employment contract or bank statements, or a letter from your bank or financial institution stating your financial position. Allowances, accommodation and other help from your employer can also be considered. Health examinations may be needed, and you can arrange them before you apply or wait until you are asked.
How long can they stay?
The Subclass 400 is temporary and allows a stay of up to 6 months depending on the circumstances. The stay period starts on the first date of arrival in Australia and does not restart each time you re-enter, and time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa. Your family members are bound by the same conditions and Australian laws as you are, so their lawful stay is tied to the same grant.
Costs and eligibility rules move over time, and this article is general information rather than personalised advice for your circumstances; confirm the current position against the Department's official page or with someone lawfully able to give immigration assistance before you act on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse work in Australia on a Subclass 400 visa?
No. Family members included in the application are not permitted to work in Australia. Only the main applicant's short-term, highly specialised work is covered by the visa.
Can my child attend school while on this visa?
No formal study is allowed for family members on this visa. The exception is a language training program, so a standard school or university enrolment is outside what the visa permits.
Who can I include as a family member?
Your partner, your dependent child and stepchild, and your partner's dependent children and stepchildren. Other relatives such as parents or siblings are not included as family members on this visa.
Do my family members need health and character checks?
Yes. Both you and your family members must meet the health requirement and the character requirement, with the character requirement applying to family members aged 16 and over.
Can I add my family after I have already applied?
Yes, you can add family members at any time before the Department decides your application. Each person added needs their application charge paid and their documents attached to their own application.
Does my family have to be outside Australia too?
Yes. You and anyone included in your application must be outside Australia when you apply and when the application is decided.
How long can my family stay in Australia?
Up to 6 months, depending on the circumstances. The stay period begins on the first date of arrival and does not restart on re-entry, and time outside Australia does not extend it.