Need Help - Spouse cannot become permanent residant

[Jheral]

Here's the background.

My wife has been accepted to the University of Wollongong's medical program. Being an intensive four year program I am planning to join her. To the best of my knowledge though, if I attach myself to her student visa I'm only eligible to work 20 hours per week, unless i qualify for permanent residency.

Here's the fun part, Wollongong has two classifications for their students, resident and overseas. If my wife becomes a permanent resident she looses her eligibility as an overseas student and is kicked out of med school.

Does anyone know of a way that I am able to work 40 hours a week and maintain my wife's non-permanent status?

Can we apply for separate visa's if we are married?