If I am working, can my dependent also work on their visa in Australia/Canada for a Master's/Bachelor's?

Your dependent's work rights hinge on your study level and your chosen country, not on your own employment status. Australia treats Master's and PhD students far more generously than Bachelor's students, while Canada draws its line at your program's length. You need to check both rules before you count on your partner's income.

Dependent Work Rights, Country By Country

Details That Change Your Outcome

• In Australia, your dependent can only legally start working once you have commenced your own course, so plan their job search around your start date.
• In Canada, a Master's shorter than 16 months disqualifies your spouse from an open work permit under the student stream.
• Spouses of students in their final academic term in Canada are typically ineligible for permit renewal, so timing your dependent's application matters.
• Dependent children can usually attend Canadian public schools without a separate study permit, though they cannot work below legal working age.

My Advice

If dependent income is central to your budget, choose a Canadian Master's program that clearly runs 16 months or longer, and confirm this in writing from the university before you apply. If you are set on Australia, plan your dependent's job search to start right after your own course begins, since Australian rules reward the level of your degree far more than they restrict the hours.