457 DEPENDENTS

As a primary Subclass 457 visa holder, the following people may apply to accompany and stay with you in Australia as secondary visa holders:

your partner your dependent child or your partner's dependent child

your other dependent relatives or your partner's other dependent relatives.

Partner
A partner is your spouse (the person you are married to) or de facto partner (including same-sex partners).

Dependent child
A dependent child is the child or stepchild, of you or your partner. You or your partner must have legal responsibility for the child. The child must: not be married, engaged to be married or in a de facto relationship and

be under 18

or if they have turned 18, are wholly or substantially reliant on you or your partner for their basic needs, or are incapacitated for work.

Other dependent relatives

Other relatives of you or your partner may be considered in the application if they meet all of the following: they have no other relative able to care for them in their own country

they are currently not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship they are usually resident in your household they rely on you for financial support for their basic needs you have supported them for a substantial period

they rely on you more than any other person or source. Example: An aged, unmarried relative.

Note: You must provide details of all children or other dependent relatives aged 18 years or over, regardless of whether or not they are included in the application. For all dependent relatives 18 years of age or over, Form 47A must be completed and attached to your application. See: Form 47A Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (248KB PDF file)

Subsequent visas for secondary Subclass 457 visa holders

Certain secondary Subclass 457 - Business (Long Stay) visa holders can now, in a subsequent Subclass 457 visa application, continue to be the member of the family unit (MOFU) of a primary holder of a Subclass 457 visa. Such secondary visa holders will not have to satisfy the general MOFU requirements if they satisfy the requirements described below. At the time of decision on the subsequent Subclass 457 visa application the person must meet the following:

be under the age of 21 not be the spouse or de facto partner of another person.

In addition, to be eligible for the MOFU extension, the person must have been granted their initial Subclass 457 visa on the basis that they were the MOFU (other than a partner) of the primary Subclass 457 visa holder. A person will not be able to satisfy the new requirements if they were granted an initial Subclass 457 visa on the basis that they were one of the following: a dependent child of the partner of a primary Subclass 457 visa holder

a dependent child of a dependent child of the partner of a primary Subclass 457 visa holder a relative of the partner of the primary Subclass 457 visa holder a dependent child of an interdependent partner of a primary Subclass 457 visa holder and the partner relationship is no longer in existence at time of decision on the subsequent Subclass 457 visa application.

Health requirements
All secondary applicants must meet the health requirements. See: Health Requirements

Health insurance requirements

From 14 September 2009, all new Subclass 457 visa holders will be required by law (a condition of their visa) to maintain adequate health insurance for the length of their visa. Applicants for 457 visas will need to provide evidence that they have obtained adequate health insurance before their visa can be approved. See: Subclass 457 Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions Sponsors Subclass 457 Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions Visa Holders

Character requirements Work and study

All secondary applicants must meet character requirements. See: Character Requirement Any secondary applicants granted this visa are given full work and study rights.

Australian Values Statement

All visa applicants aged 18 years or over, must declare that they will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia. For applicants of this visa, the values statement is included in the general declaration section of the application form. By signing the form applicants will also be signing the values statement. Applicants for this visa will not be required to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if they want. Visa applicants are also encouraged to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before applying for this visa.