Who Can I Include in My Subclass 858 Application in 2026?

For an invited principal applicant, the Australian Department of Home Affairs permits members of the family unit to apply for the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) with them. The Department’s guidance specifically addresses partners and dependent children; if the principal applicant is under 18, they may include only their parents and members of the family unit of a parent. The following reflects the Department’s official subclass 858 overview and step-by-step guidance as at August 2026.

Who can be included in the family unit?

A family member included in the application is an applicant for the visa, not merely someone travelling as a companion. Each included family member must meet the applicable health and character requirements.

The Department’s guidance confirms the relevance of:

• a partner;
• dependent children;
• for an applicant under 18, their parents and members of the family unit of a parent.

The official subclass 858 page does not reproduce an exhaustive list of every relationship that may constitute a family unit for an adult principal applicant. It would therefore be unsupported to assume that every sibling, cousin, parent or other relative can be included solely because of the family relationship. An adult applicant cannot treat a non-dependent adult child as eligible merely by listing that child as family.

Can I include a partner in my subclass 858 application?

Yes, a partner may be included if the relationship is genuine and continuing.

For a married or de facto partner, you must provide identity documents and photos, character documents, a marriage certificate if applicable, and documents about other relationships if applicable. Evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing can include, but is not limited to:

• joint bank account statements;
• billing accounts in joint names;
• joint leases or mortgages; and
• documents showing that your partner has lived at the same address as you.

A de facto relationship must either be registered with an Australian state or territory or be supported by enough evidence to establish at least 12 months of the relationship before the application. Registration alone does not replace the requirement to demonstrate a genuine and continuing relationship.

Which children can be included?

The child’s age and dependency status determine whether the child can be included.

Child’s age	Inclusion requirement
Under 18	The child may be included as a dependent child, with the relevant relationship and consent evidence.
18 but under 23	The child must be dependent on you or your partner.
23 or older	The child must be unable to earn a living to support themselves because of physical or cognitive limitations and must be dependent on you or your partner.

A child aged 18 or over must also complete Form 47a — Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over. The form must be supported by evidence; it does not replace the underlying relationship and dependency evidence.

What evidence is required for an adult child?

For an adult child, the Department requires identity documents, documents about their other relationships if applicable, character documents, and proof of the parent-child relationship. A birth certificate or adoption papers may be used.

If the child is aged 18 but not yet 23, you must show that the child is dependent on you or your partner. For any adult child, you must also prove that the person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before the application.

Evidence may include:

• proof that the child lives with you;
• tax records;
• evidence that the child is studying; or
• records of payments made by you to the child or on the child’s behalf.

Where the child is aged 23, or is likely to turn 23 while the application is being processed, a report from a qualified medical practitioner must also explain that the child is dependent because of the total or partial loss of bodily or mental functions.

What documents and consent are needed for a child under 18?

For every dependant aged 18 years or younger who is applying with you, include:

• copies of a birth certificate or the family book showing the names of both parents; and
• copies of adoption papers, if applicable.

If a person has a legal right to decide where the child lives and is not accompanying the child to Australia, that person must provide consent. Consent may be given on Form 1229 — Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years or through a statutory declaration.

An Australian court order allowing the child to migrate, or evidence that the law of the child’s home country permits the migration, may be provided instead. Include an identity document showing the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, together with adoption papers or other court documents, if applicable.

What happens if a child turns 18 or 23 during processing?

Age during processing can affect whether the child remains eligible.

If a child is likely to turn 18 while the application is being processed, evidence of dependency must be provided. A child who turns 18 during processing and is not dependent on the principal applicant or their partner cannot satisfy the subclass 858 criteria as a dependent child.

The position becomes stricter at 23. If the child is likely to turn 23 during processing, the Department requires evidence that the child is dependent because of disability. A child who turns 23 during processing and does not meet the disability-related dependency requirements cannot satisfy the criteria for inclusion.

Can I add family members after lodging the application?

Yes. Members of the family unit may be added after lodgement but before the Department makes a decision. The Department directs applicants to upload Form 1436 — Adding an additional applicant after lodgement through ImmiAccount.

An under-18 principal applicant is subject to a separate restriction. The Department’s post-lodgement guidance says that an applicant under 18 can include members of the family unit only when applying, rather than adding them later through the post-lodgement process.

What happens if I do not include my partner or dependent children?

The application must state the reason why a partner or dependent children have not been included. The Department gives examples such as a partner or dependent child already being an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

This requirement is separate from proving that a partner or dependent child is eligible. A genuine continuing partner relationship and the relevant age, health, character, consent and dependency rules must still be addressed when those people are included.

Must every family member travel to Australia with me?

No. The health requirement applies to family members applying for the visa even if they do not accompany the principal applicant. Family members aged 16 or over must also meet the character requirement, whether or not they travel to Australia.

Applicants aged 18 years or older at the time of application must either provide evidence of functional English or, if they prefer to pay the second instalment instead of providing that evidence, notify the Department through ImmiAccount that they intend to pay it. The Department states that it requests this charge only if it is going to grant the visa.

Inclusion in the family unit does not remove these requirements or guarantee a visa outcome. This article provides general information, not personalised legal advice; the Department’s current rules and the particular facts of each case govern eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I include my parents in a subclass 858 application?

If the principal applicant is under 18, the Department says they may include their parents and members of the family unit of a parent. The official subclass 858 page does not provide an exhaustive list of relationships for an adult principal applicant, so an adult applicant should not assume that every parent or other relative is eligible without checking the applicable family-unit definition.

Can I include a married or de facto partner?

Yes, but the Department must be satisfied that the relationship is genuine and continuing. A de facto relationship must be registered with an Australian state or territory or be supported by sufficient evidence of at least 12 months before the application. Identity, relationship and character evidence may also be required.

Can I include a child who is already 18?

Yes, if the child is under 23 and is dependent on the principal applicant or their partner. The Department requires proof of the relationship, dependency, character and financial dependence for at least 12 months before the application, together with Form 47a.

Can I include a child who is 23 or older?

Only where the child is unable to earn a living to support themselves because of physical or cognitive limitations and is dependent on the principal applicant or their partner. A qualified medical practitioner’s report and Form 47a are required, along with evidence of the relationship and financial dependency.

Can I add a family member after I submit the application?

A family unit member may generally be added before the Department decides the application using Form 1436. However, the Department’s separate post-lodgement guidance says an applicant under 18 can include family members only when applying.

What reason should I give if my partner or dependent child is not included?

The application must explain why the partner or dependent child was not included. The Department gives already holding Australian citizenship or permanent residency as examples, but the stated reason should accurately reflect the family’s circumstances.

Do family members have to meet health and character requirements?

Yes. Every family member applying for the visa must meet the health requirement, including those who do not accompany the principal applicant. Family members aged 16 or over must also meet the character requirement.

References

Australian Department of Home Affairs — National Innovation visa (Subclass 858)