Family Visas
Do you have a family member who is currently overseas and wanting to join you here in Australia?
Explore your options now.
Family Visas demonstrate Australian Government’s commitment to family reunification
Missing your family? Now is the right time to explore your pathways to bring them closer to you
Family Visas are for Family Members of Australian citizens and permanent residents
This stream enables Australian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with overseas family members, and to provide these family members with pathways to citizenship. Family Migration is an important element of Australia’s migration system, as it not only serves family reunification, but it also results in a stronger social cohesion, with family members making valuable social contributions to their families and local communities.
Enjoy what Australia has to offer
If your goal is to reunite with your family, we are here to assist you.
Eligibility
Each visa subclass in the Family Stream has its eligibility criteria. Depending on your circumstances, we can guide you with what you will need, to put forward the best Application possible.
Primary Requirements
Parents
- must have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Permanent resident or Eligible New Zealand citizen, unless applying for the Retirement Pathway
- must have an eligible sponsor
- meet health and character requirements
- meet the balance of family test, and have an assurance of support (note: criteria differ if applying under the Retirement Pathway)
Child
- must be a dependent child of a parent who is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- must be single and dependent on the parent
- must be under 18 years of age, or a full-time student aged over 18 and under 25 and financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 and unable to work because of a disability
- must be under 18 years of age, single and with no parent to care for them (Orphan Relative visa)
- must have been under 18 years of age when adopted, when they apply and when a decision is made (Adoption visa)
Partner
- be at a right age
- be in a genuine and continuing relationship with your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- meet relationship requirements
- must have a sponsor who is your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- meet character and health requirements
- depending on the visa subclass must be inside or outside Australia (as well as the family who is included in the application) when you lodge your application.
- be in or outside Australia when a decision is made on your temporary visa application
- must be for the best interests of the child (if applicable)
Family Visa Options
We understand that the information for each visa option could be overwhelming, please contact us so we can assess your best option.
Parents
- Aged Parent visa (subclass 804)
- Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)
- Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864)
- Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)
- Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
- Parent visa (subclass 103)
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)
Child
- Adoption visa (subclass 102)
- Child visa (subclass 101)
- Child visa (subclass 802)
- Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117)
- Orphan Relative visa (subclass 837)
- Dependent child visa (subclass 445)
Partner
- Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309)
- Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100)
- Partner visa (Temporary) (subclass 820)
- Partner visa (Permanent) (subclass 801)
- Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
Parents Aged Parent visa (subclass 804)
This provides a pathway for an aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia.
- The applicant must have an eligible sponsor, meet the age, health and character requirements, as well as meet the balance of family test, and have an assurance of support.
- The applicant must not also have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
- This is a permanent visa that will allow your aged parent to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)
This provides a pathway for an aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia.
- The applicant must have an eligible sponsor, meet the age, health and character requirements, as well as meet the balance of family test, and have an assurance of support.
- The applicant must not also have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa and must be onshore with a valid visa that have a ‘no further stay condition’, when applying for this visa.
- This is a temporary visa that will allow your aged parent to live in Australia for up to 2 years then once eligible, apply for a permanent Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) visa.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864)
This provides a pathway for an aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia.
- The applicant must have an eligible sponsor, meet the age, health and character requirements, as well as meet the balance of family test, and have an assurance of support.
- The applicant must not also have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
- This is a permanent visa that will allow your aged parent to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)
This provides a pathway for a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia.
- The applicant must have an eligible sponsor, meet the health and character requirements, as well as meet the balance of family test, and have an assurance of support.
- The applicant must not also have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa and must be onshore with a valid visa that have a ‘no further stay condition’, when applying for this visa.
- This is a temporary visa that will allow your parent to live in Australia for up to 2 years then once eligible, apply for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) permanent visa.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
This provides a pathway for a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia.
- The applicant must have an eligible sponsor, as well as meet the balance of family test, and have an assurance of support, unless applying as a retiree.
- Your parent must meet the health and character requirements.
- The applicant must not also have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
- This is a permanent visa that will allow your parent to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Parent visa (subclass 103)
This provides a pathway for a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia.
- The applicant must have an eligible sponsor, as well as meet the balance of family test, and have an assurance of support, unless applying as a retiree.
- Your parent must meet the health and character requirements.
- The applicant must not also have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
- This is a permanent visa that will allow your parent to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)
This visa provides a pathway for a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years.
- This is a temporary visa that will allow your parent to visit for a maximum period of 10 years (further visa application required).
- The applicant must have an approved Parent Sponsor, meet health, character and genuine temporary entry requirements, have access to sufficient funds to support themselves in Australia and have health insurance.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Child Adoption visa (subclass 102)
This visa provides a pathway for adopted children, who is offshore, to come and live in Australia with their adoptive parent.
The child must have been under 18 years old when adopted, when the visa application is lodged and when the decision is made and have an eligible sponsor.
- The child must be adopted or in the process of being adopted and must also meet health and character requirements (if the child is 16 years or older).
- The adoptive parent or prospective adoptive parent must be an eligible sponsor.
This is a permanent visa that will allow your adopted child/children to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Child visa (subclass 101)
This visa provides a pathway for a child, who is offshore to come and live in Australia with their parents.
Your child must be:
- a dependent child of a parent who is an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or holder of an Australian permanent visa
- under 18 years of age or a full-time student over 18 and under 25 years of age and financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 years of age and not capable of working due to a disability
- be single (no partner) and dependent on you as their parent
- sponsored by an eligible parent or their parent’s spouse or de facto partner
- given consent to migrate to Australia
You as a parent must be:
- an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or holder of an Australian permanent visa
- eligible to sponsor
This is a permanent visa that will allow your child/children to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Chid visa (subclass 802)
This visa provides a pathway for a child, who is onshore to live with their parents.
Your child must be:
- a dependent child of a parent who is an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or holder of an Australian permanent visa
- under 18 years of age or a full-time student over 18 and under 25 years of age and financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 years of age and not capable of working due to a disability
- be single (no partner) and dependent on you as their parent
- sponsored by an eligible parent or their parent’s spouse or de facto partner
- given consent to migrate to Australia
You as a parent must be:
- an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or holder of an Australian permanent visa
- eligible to sponsor
This is a permanent visa that will allow your child/children to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117)
This visa provides a pathway for a child, who is offshore, to come and live in Australia with a relative if their parents are deceased, can’t be found or can’t care for them.
The child must:
- have been under 18 years old, single and have no parents to care for them
- have a relative who is a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident
- be offshore when the application is submitted and decided
- have an approved and eligible sponsor
- have consent to migrate to Australia
- meet health and character requirements (if 16 years of age or older)
This is a permanent visa that will allow the child to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Orphan Relative visa (subclass 837)
This visa provides a pathway for a child, who is onshore to live with a relative if their parents are deceased, can’t be found or can’t care for them.
The child must:
- have been under 18 years old, single and have no parents to care for them
- have a relative who is a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident
- hold a valid Australian visa and be already in Australia (onshore) when the application is submitted and decided
- have an approved and eligible sponsor
- have consent to migrate to Australia
- meet health and character requirements (if 16 years of age or older)
This is a permanent visa that will allow the child to apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Dependent child visa (subclass 445)
This visa provides a pathway for a child to stay in Australia temporarily while their parent’s permanent Partner visa application is getting processed.
The child must be:
- under 18 years of age or over 18 years of age and financially dependent on the parent who has the temporary Partner or Dependent Child visa
- a dependent child of the parent who holds the visa: Partner (Provisional)visa (subclass 309) or Partner visa (subclass 820) or Dependent Child visa (subclass 445)
- must have an eligible sponsor and be sponsored by the nominator or sponsor of the parent who holds the visa
- meet health and character requirements (if 16 years of age or older)
- have consent to migrate to Australia
This is a temporary visa, which starts on date of the visa grant.
The child can stay until a decision is made on their parent’s permanent Partner visa application or the withdrawal of their parent’s permanent Partner visa application.
Other criteria apply, please contact us to find out if this is right for you.
Next Steps
We understand that Australian immigration is complicated, and it is confusing to assert the best visa option that may be available to you and your family. Talk to us to find out the option that best suits your circumstances.