Australia’s high standard of living, good quality of life, excellent education, and other opportunities make the country a paradise for those seeking better job opportunities and ways of living. Australia focuses on growing skilled migration and actively invites suitable candidates to apply for permanent residency. However, the Australian government understands and recognises the importance of family members and dependent relatives living together and welcomes families joining or reuniting with members already present in the country.
Australia’s family migration scheme lets eligible Australian permanent residents, Australian citizens, or eligible New Zealand citizens sponsor family members, including parents, dependent children, and other relatives, to come to Australia.
Individuals planning to sponsor family members to come to Australia must know the various visa pathways available for different family members.
This article will briefly discuss the various family visas that individuals can apply for as of January 2024.
Different Sponsored Family Visas to Australia
Here is the list of different family-sponsored visas to Australia:
Partner Visas
- Partner Visa (Subclasses 820 & 801): Enables the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in the country. The application includes temporary (Subclass 820) and permanent (Subclass 801) visas. Applying for Subclass 820 is the initial step, requiring applicants to be in Australia during the application.
- Partner Visa (Subclasses 309 & 100): Designed for the partners or spouses of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, allowing them to reside in Australia. The application process involves applying for both temporary and permanent partner visas concurrently, and it is essential to apply while being outside Australia.
- Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300): Obtain this visa to marry in Australia and apply for a Partner visa later. Requirements include staying 9-15 months from the visa grant, being 18 years or older, having an eligible sponsor (Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen), and a plan to marry before the visa period ends.
Child Visas
- Child Visa (Subclass 101): This visa allows a child of an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent visa holder to permanently join their parent in Australia if the child is single and dependent (under 18 or a full-time student aged over 18 and under 25 and financially dependent on the parent, or 18+ and unable to work due to a disability). Individuals must apply while the child is outside Australia.
- Child Visa (Subclass 802): This visa allows a child of an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent visa holder to permanently join their parent in Australia if the child is single and dependent (under 18 or a full-time student aged over 18 and under 25 and financially dependent on the parent, or 18+ and unable to work due to a disability). Individuals must apply while the child is in Australia.
- Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445): Lets a child stay in Australia temporarily while their parent’s permanent Partner visa is processed. The child must be dependent and sponsored by the visa-holding parent’s nominator/sponsor and can reside in Australia until the authorities decide on the parent’s permanent partner visa.
- Adoption Visa (Subclass 102): This visa enables internationally adopted children to live in Australia with their adoptive parent/s, granting study access, Medicare, and potential citizenship if eligible. The child must be under 18 and outside Australia during adoption, visa application, and decision by the authorities. They must be adopted or in the process of being adopted by their sponsor parent.
Parent Visas
- Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804): This visa enables aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to stay in Australia permanently. The applicant must have an eligible settled child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, qualify for the Australian age pension, and not have applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) Visa.
- Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864): This visa enables elderly parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently. To apply, individuals must be in Australia and meet criteria like having an eligible child, meeting age pension requirements, and not having already applied for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) Visa. This visa grants permanent residency in Australia.
- Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143): Enables parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to relocate permanently to Australia. To be eligible, individuals must have a settled child in Australia, provide an Assurance of Support, and satisfy the balance-of-family test unless applying for the Retirement Pathway. Once granted, the visa allows permanent residency and sponsoring eligible family members to come to Australia.
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103): This visa facilitates parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to move to Australia. Applicants must have an eligible child, adhere to visa conditions, and comply with Australian law to qualify. Retirees can also apply. A sponsor, passing the balance-of-family test, and assurance of support are necessary, but not for individuals applying as retirees.
Relative Visas
- Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Subclass 114): This visa allows financially dependent older individuals to permanently move to Australia with sponsorship from a relative or relative’s partner. Applicants must be outside Australia during the application process, eligible for the age pension, and have no partner.
- Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Subclass 838): This visa allows financially dependent older individuals to permanently move to Australia with sponsorship from a relative or relative’s partner. Applicants must be inside Australia during the application process, eligible for the age pension, and have no partner.
- Orphan Relative (Subclass 117): This visa allows a single child under 18 years, without parental care due to death, inability, or absence, to live with a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident relative. The child must be outside Australia during the application and decision-making process.
- Orphan Relative (Subclass 837): This visa allows a single child under 18 years, without parental care due to death, inability, or absence, to live with a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident relative. The child must be inside Australia during the application and decision-making process.
- Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 115): This visa allows individuals to permanently move to Australia to be with their only immediate family. To be eligible, the applicant must be outside Australia during the application process, be a remaining relative of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, not have other near relatives and have a qualified sponsor.
- Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 835): This visa allows individuals to permanently move to Australia to be with their only immediate family. To be eligible, the applicant must be inside Australia during the application process, be a remaining relative of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, not have other close relatives and have a qualified sponsor.
To know more about different family visas available in Australia, check out https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
FBP International has over 50 years of cumulative experience in Australian migration and settlement services. With its team of in-house legal practitioners, FBP International has helped numerous individuals seamlessly migrate to Australia with their families. Contact FBP International to start the visa process for a loved one today.
