How does the dependent work visa work for spouse in Australia or New Zealand for a Master's/Bachelor's?
If you study a Master's or PhD in Australia, your spouse gets unlimited work rights, but Bachelor's dependents are capped at 48 hours a fortnight. New Zealand works similarly, granting an open work visa for Master's study, while Bachelor's dependents qualify only via the Green List.
Your study level directly decides whether your spouse can work freely in Australia or New Zealand while you study. Choose a Master's or PhD in either country and your partner gets essentially unrestricted work rights, but a Bachelor's degree comes with real limits unless your specific course qualifies for an exception.
Spouse Work Rights By Study Level
| Study Level | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Master's or PhD | Unlimited, full time work for any employer | Open Work Visa, full time work allowed |
| Bachelor's degree | Capped at 48 hours per fortnight | Open work visa only if your course is on the Green List, otherwise visitor visa with no work rights |
| Financial proof needed | Roughly AUD 10,394 a year for your partner | Roughly NZD 5,000 a year for your partner |
What You Both Need To Prepare
- In Australia, your spouse applies as a secondary applicant directly on your Student Visa Subclass 500, so there is no separate visa application to manage.
- In New Zealand, you must show a genuine and stable relationship, such as shared housing, joint bank accounts, or communication history, alongside your financial proof.
- Budget your own living costs too, since Australia expects roughly AUD 29,710 a year for you on top of your partner's requirement.
My Advice
If bringing your spouse with full work rights matters to you, prioritize a Master's application over a Bachelor's in both countries, since that single choice removes almost every restriction on their side. If a Bachelor's is your only realistic option in New Zealand, check the Green List for your exact course before you commit, since that is the only way your partner gets to work at all.
Can your spouse come with you to Australia?
Which Australian courses still allow dependents, and what you will need to show.
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