Do you hold a 482 visa in Australia while your family lives overseas? The 482 subsequent entrant visa lets eligible family members join you in Australia after you receive your primary visa.
Your spouse, partner, and dependent children under 18 can apply for this visa. Some dependent children between 18-23 who depend on you financially may also qualify. The visa comes with specific requirements and costs that need careful planning. The base fee starts at AUD 1,455.00. Dependents over 18 need to pay an extra AUD 3,115, while those under 18 pay AUD 780. Processing times differ based on each case, so you should submit applications well before planned travel dates.
This article covers everything about the 482 subsequent entrant and its process. You’ll find details about eligibility criteria and key factors that help create a strong application for your family members.
What is a 482 Subsequent Entrant visa
The 482 Subsequent Entrant visa lets family members join their loved ones who already hold a primary 482 visa in Australia. This visa creates a path for families to reunite after a family member moves to Australia on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.
The Australian government recognises how crucial family unity is for skilled workers moving to Australia. They designed this visa option to help skilled migrants blend into local communities while supporting their emotional well-being and stability.
A “subsequent entrant” includes:
- Spouses or de facto partners
- Dependent children (generally under 18 years)
- Dependent children aged 18-23 who still rely financially on their parents
This visa comes with several valuable benefits. Holders can:
- Stay in Australia as long as the primary visa holder
- Work anywhere without limits
- Study at Australian institutions (without government financial support)
- Take multiple trips in and out of Australia until the visa expires
Applicants need to meet these requirements:
- Be a partner or dependent of someone with a subclass 482 or 457 visa
- Have a sponsor’s written agreement to include them in the nomination
- Keep adequate health insurance during their stay
- Pass health and character checks
- Have the right visa type if applying from Australia
Your employer might need to submit a new nomination if you want to stay longer. Some employers sponsor workers for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187).
Processing times change based on each case, so plan your application early. This visa shows Australia’s steadfast dedication to supporting skilled workers by reuniting them with their families during temporary work assignments.
Eligibility and timing for adding family members
Timing and eligibility play a significant role to get a 482 subsequent entrant visa. Your family members can join at two different points: they can apply with the original visa application or after you receive your visa grant.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs specifies who qualifies as a “member of the family unit” (MoFU) for subsequent entrants. Eligible family members has
- Your spouse or de facto partner
- Your children under 18 years of age
- Children aged 18-23 who depend on you financially
- Adult children with disabilities who need your financial support
Parents and siblings cannot qualify as members of your family unit for this visa category.
Partners and spouses need proof of a genuine relationship. Marriage certificates, joint financial documents, and shared living arrangements serve as evidence to show your relationship’s authenticity.
Birth certificates or custody/adoption documents verify dependent children’s status. Children between 18 and 23 years must show their financial dependence on the primary visa holder.
Health and character requirements apply to all subsequent entrants. Approved panel physicians must conduct health examinations. Police clearance certificates become necessary from countries where applicants lived for more than 12 months in the last decade (since turning 16).
Your primary visa holder’s sponsor must agree in writing to extend sponsorship to family members. Applications cannot move forward without this approval.
Subsequent entrants should enter Australia by their grant letter’s first entry date to avoid visa cancellation. Their visa stays valid as long as the primary visa holder’s permit remains active. This ensures families stay together during their Australian work assignment.
Costs, processing time, and legal considerations
The 482 subsequent entrant visa requires careful planning for both costs and waiting times. Your base application fee starts at AUD 1,455, though some sources show it can reach AUD 3,115. Additional applicant fees depend on age – AUD 3,115 for adults 18 and over, and about AUD 780 for dependents under 18.
You should also budget for extra costs like
- Medical assessment charges
- Police clearance certificates
- Document translation costs (if not in English)
- Migration agent fees (if you need professional help from a registered migration agent)
Most applications take 30 to 47 days to process, while some sources suggest four to eight weeks. The processing time can change substantially based on several factors:
- How complete your application is
- Your response time to information requests
- Document verification processes
- Current workload at processing centres
Legal complexities make this experience challenging. Many people run into problems with forms filled out wrong or missing documents. Not understanding what’s needed can delay or even derail your application.
A thorough document checklist helps you avoid these setbacks. Make sure you check everything twice before you submit. Good communication with your sponsor and proper preparation are the foundations of a successful application.
You can handle the application yourself, but many families see the benefit of getting professional help. Migration agents in Sydney know Australia’s immigration programmes inside out, especially when you have skilled visas. Their support throughout the process can make a real difference.
Conclusion
The 482 subsequent entrant visa is a great way to get families back together after a primary visa holder moves to Australia for work.
Most applications take 30-47 days to process, but each case is different. The base cost starts at AUD 1,455, and you’ll pay extra charges for dependents based on their age. Note that all applicants need to meet health and character requirements and keep adequate health insurance during their stay.
Being proactive makes a big difference in your application’s success. Getting all the work to be done and filling out forms correctly will help avoid delays. While you can handle the application on your own, many families find professional help valuable because of the complex requirements.
Family reunification is the lifeblood of Australia’s temporary work visa programme. The 482 subsequent entrant option shows how important it is to keep families together, even when one member’s career takes them overseas first. This visa ended up giving families more than just a legal way to reunite in Australia—it lets them work, study, and create a life together during their temporary stay.