MARA Registered Migration Agent

Adding Your Partner to a Subclass 482 / 457 TSS Visa

Add your spouse or de facto partner to your TSS visa as a secondary applicant. Partner gets full work rights with the same expiry as your visa.

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If you hold a TSS (Subclass 482 or 457) visa, you can include your spouse or de facto partner as a secondary applicant. Unlike permanent residence categories, you can do this even after your own visa has been granted — there's no need to add your partner upfront at the time of your original lodgement.

Your partner will receive a TSS visa with full work rights, meaning they can take any job in any occupation. The secondary visa expires on the same date as your primary visa, keeping both holders on aligned immigration status.

Both genuine relationships (married and de facto) qualify, but immigration assessors will scrutinise relationship evidence carefully.

Eligibility Requirements

Relationship Documentation

Evidence of a genuine and continuing married or de facto relationship
Documentation showing financial, social and household interdependence
Statements from references attesting to the authenticity of the relationship

Partner Eligibility

Spouse or de facto partner of a TSS visa holder
No occupational or skills restrictions apply to the partner
Partner can be onshore or offshore at application time

Health & Character

Health examination as required by Home Affairs
Police clearance from relevant jurisdictions
Meet Australian character standards

Application Process

Step 1: Compile Relationship Evidence

Gather documentation that proves a genuine, continuing relationship — financial records, joint commitments, communication history, and references.

Step 2: Prepare the Partner Application

Complete the secondary applicant forms and gather identity, health and character documents.

Step 3: Lodge the Application

Submit the application to the Department of Home Affairs with all supporting documentation.

Step 4: Await Assessment

Home Affairs may request additional information or evidence during processing. Respond promptly to any requests.

Step 5: Visa Grant

Once approved, your partner receives a TSS visa with unrestricted work rights, aligned to your visa expiry date.

Costs & Processing Time

Processing Time

Processing timeframes vary by case complexity. Comprehensive relationship evidence significantly speeds up assessment.

Add Anytime — Flexibility

Unlike permanent residence visas, you can add your partner to your TSS visa even after your own visa has been granted. There is no upfront declaration requirement.

Relationship Genuineness

You must provide comprehensive evidence demonstrating a genuine and continuing relationship. Immigration assessors carefully evaluate authenticity — weak evidence is a common refusal reason.

Unrestricted Work Rights

Your partner receives unlimited work entitlements — no occupation or industry restrictions, no employer-tie. They can take any job in Australia.

About the Adding Your Partner to a Subclass 482 / 457 TSS Visa

Add your spouse or de facto partner to your TSS visa as a secondary applicant. Partner gets full work rights with the same expiry as your visa.

Partner can be located inside or outside Australia

Secondary applicant receives unlimited work entitlements

Partner's visa expiry aligned with primary visa holder

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can my partner apply if they're overseas?

Yes — your spouse or de facto partner can lodge an application regardless of whether they're in Australia or abroad.

What work rights does my partner receive?

Your partner gets a TSS visa with unrestricted work rights — they can work in any occupation, for any employer, with no hourly limits.

When does my partner's visa expire?

Your partner's TSS visa expires on the same date as your primary TSS visa.

Do I need to have been together before my visa was granted?

No — you can add your partner to an already-granted TSS visa even if the relationship started after your visa was issued, as long as the relationship is genuine.

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