Family/Partner Visa Program

Family and Partner visa programs enable individuals to migrate to Australia if they have suitable partners and family members (Australian Permanent Residents or Citizens) within Australia.

Overview / Requirements: 

There are specific requirements for each visa type. 

Visa Options:

The Family/Partner visa program is separated into four subsections, outlined below.

Partner

Spouse: the husband, wife or De-facto partner of an Australian sponsor/nominator.

Spouse temporary visa (subclass 820) and permanent visa (subclass 801):
This visa allows applicants already in Australia to stay in Australia with their partner, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. If after 2 years on the temporary visa the spousal relationship is continuing, a permanent visa may be granted.

Spouse temporary visa (subclass 309) and permanent visa (subclass 100):
This visa allows applicants overseas who are the spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to enter and stay in Australia with their partner. If after 2 years on the temporary visa the spousal relationship is continuing, a permanent visa may be granted.

Prospective Marriage: a fiancée overseas who plans to marry their Australian sponsor in Australia. This visa will allow the applicant to enter Australia for a period of 9 months with the purpose of getting married.

Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300):
This visa allows applicants overseas to enter Australia, marry their fiance(e), who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Once married, holders of this visa can then apply to remain permanently in Australia.

Interdependent Partners: a person is in an interdependent relationship if they have a mutual commitment to shared life together.  This visa is for gay/lesbian and any other interdependent partners of Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Interdependency temporary visa (subclass 826) and permanent visa (subclass 814):
This visa is generally for people in a same sex relationship.This visa allows for applicants already in Australia to stay in Australia with their partner, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. If after 2 years on the temporary visa the interdependent relationship is continuing, a permanent visa may be granted.

Interdependency temporary visa (subclass 310) and permanent visa (subclass 110):
This visa is generally for people in a same sex relationship. This visa allows for applicants from overseas to enter and stay in Australia with their partner, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. If after 2 years on the temporary visa the interdependent relationship is continuing, a permanent visa may be granted.

Child

Child: Dependent child, natural, adopted or step- child of the Australian sponsor/nominator.

Child (Permanent) Visa (subclass 101):
This visa is for children under 25 years old, who are overseas who are natural, adopted or step-children of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Child (Permanent) Visa (subclass 802):
This is for children from overseas under 25 years old, who are in Australia at the time of application and are the natural, adopted, step children of, an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Adoption (Permanent) Visa (subclass 102):
This visa is for children under 18 years old from overseas who have been or about to be adopted by an Australian citizen, the holder of an Australian permanent visa, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsor must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or eligible New Zealand Citizen.

Dependent Child Visa (subclass 445):
This visa is for children whose parent holds a temporary partner visa and is in the process of obtaining a permanent partner visa. The child must lodge a permanent residency application before the parent’s permanent partner visa is granted.

Orphaned relative: an unmarried child under 18 at the time of application who cannot be cared for by either parent.

Orphan Relative (Permanent) Visa (subclass 117):
This visa is for children under 18 years old, who are overseas, whose parents are deceased, permanently incapacitated, or whose whereabouts are unknown. This visa allows the child to enter and live in Australia with an Australian relative.

Orphan Relative (Permanent) Visa (subclass 837):
This visa is for children under 18 years old who are in Australia whose parents are deceased, permanently incapacitated, or whose whereabouts are unknown. This visa allows the child to enter and live in Australia with an Australian relative.

Parent

Working age parent: A person outside Australia who is not old enough to be granted an Australian aged pension, and who meets the balance of family test.

Parent (Permanent) Visa (subclass 103):
This visa allows parents who are overseas to enter and live in Australia as long as they pass the balance of family test (at least half or more of the children live in Australia as Citizens or Permanent Residents) and can be sponsored by one of their children. This visa is subject to Government quotas and has a long waiting list.

Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143):
This visa allows parents who are overseas to enter and live in Australia as long as they pass the balance of family test (at least half or more of the children live in Australia as Citizens or Permanent Residents) and can be sponsored by one of their children. This visa is processed much faster than the other parent visa but is expensive.

Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173):
This visa allows parents who are overseas to enter and live in Australia as long as they pass the balance of family test (at least half or more of the children live in Australia as Citizens or Permanent Residents) and can be sponsored by one of their children. This visa is temporary and lasts for two years. If you hold this visa you can then apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143).

Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (from subclass 173 to subclass 143):  
This visa is for holders of a temporary Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173), who want to apply for a permanent Contributory Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 143). The visa must be applied for before the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173) expires.

Aged Parent: A person either inside or outside Australia, who is old enough to be granted an Australian aged pension and who meets the balance of family test. Applicants will not be granted the Australian aged pension immediately; they will have to wait 10 years from the grant of their Australian Permanent Residence.

Aged Parent (Permanent) Visa (subclass 804):
This is a permanent visa for aged parents to remain in Australia if they meet age requirements, meet the balance of family test, can be sponsored by a child who is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen. An Assurance of Support is also required. This visa has long processing times.

Contributory Aged Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 864):
This is a permanent visa for aged parents to remain in Australia if they meet age requirements, meet the balance of family test, can be sponsored by a child who is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen. An Assurance of Support is also required. This visa is more expensive than the aged parent visa but has faster processing times.

Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 884):
This visa allows parents who are overseas to enter and live in Australia as long as they pass the balance of family test and can be sponsored by one of their children. This visa is temporary and lasts for two years. If you hold this visa you can then apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 864).

Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (from subclass 884 to subclass 864):
This visa is for holders of a temporary Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 884), who want to apply for a permanent Contributory Aged Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 864). The visa must be applied for before the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 884) expires.

Other Family

Aged dependent Relative(Permanent): Single, widowed, or divorced person who is dependent on an Australian Relative, for all living costs financial support, food and shelter (visa subclasses are 114, 838).

Remaining Relative(Permanent): this category gives the opportunity to a close family relative who is left on their own overseas to migrate to Australia.  To be eligible to apply under this category you must be the brother, sister, child or step-relative of an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or eligible New Zealand Citizen and all your near relatives must be in Australia (visa subclasses are 115, 835).

Carer(Permanent): A person willing and able to give substantial, continuing assistance to an Australian relative or member of their family who has a medical condition that impairs their ability to attend to the practical aspects of everyday life. The need for assistance must be likely to continue for at least two years and no relative or organization in Australia is capable of providing the care required (visa subclasses are 116, 836).

Visa Entitlements:

Successful applicants will be granted Australian P ermanent Residency .

Successful applicants will be further granted immediate access to public health entitlements (social security benefits have a two year waiting period), and dependant children aged between 6-18 are entitled to attend public schools within Australia.

Individuals who have resided in Australia for over 4 years with at least one of those years as an Australian Permanent Residence are entitled to apply for Australian citizenship.