Family Visas

Parent visas allow parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to join their children in Australia—either on a temporary or permanent basis. These visas aim to reunite families and offer several options depending on age, residency status, and the applicant’s ability to contribute to the cost of migration.

• Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (Permanent):
  This is a non-contributory visa with a lower application fee but extremely long processing times—often 30+ years. Applicants must meet the balance of family test and be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted.
•  Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (Permanent): A low-cost permanent visa for aged parents applying onshore. However, processing times are extremely long, and applicants must meet specific age and family balance requirements. 
•  Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa:  It has faster processing times than the 103 visa but comes with a higher application cost. 
• Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa:
  A 2-year temporary visa for parents who plan to apply for the Subclass 143 permanent visa later. It allows applicants to spread the cost over two stages.
• Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) Visa:
  A permanent visa for aged parents applying from within Australia. It provides quicker processing than the non-contributory aged parent visa.
• Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa:
  For aged parents already in Australia. It allows a 2-year stay and can lead to the permanent 864 visa.
• Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa:
  Allows parents to stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years, with a maximum stay of 10 years. No balance of family test is required. This visa is ideal for those wanting long visits without seeking permanent residency

 The Aged Dependent Relative Visa allows eligible older relatives of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently if they are financially dependent and have no other close family members overseas who can support them.

This visa is designed to help aged individuals who rely on a relative in Australia for financial and emotional support.

• Subclass 114 – Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Offshore):
  For aged relatives who are outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted. This is a permanent visa and allows the applicant to live in Australia indefinitely. Due to high demand and limited places, processing times can be very long—often several years.
   
• Subclass 838 – Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Onshore):
  For aged relatives who are already in Australia. This visa also grants permanent residency. Applicants must be in Australia both at the time of application and when the visa is granted. Bridging visas may be available while awaiting a decision.
   

• Must be of age to receive the Australian Age Pension.
• Must be financially dependent on the sponsoring relative in Australia for at least 3 years before applying.
• Must have no spouse, de facto partner, or other close family members who can support them.
• Must be sponsored by a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Must meet health and character requirements.
   

• Permanent residency in Australia.
   
• Access to Medicare and social security (subject to waiting periods).
   
• The ability to apply for Australian citizenship if eligible..

 The Carer Visa is designed for individuals who need to move to Australia to provide substantial, ongoing care and support to a relative with a long-term medical condition—or to assist a relative who provides care to a family member with such a condition.

This visa offers a permanent residency pathway for carers who are committed to helping their loved ones in Australia.

• Subclass 116 – Carer Visa (Offshore):
  For individuals applying from outside Australia. This permanent visa allows the applicant to move to Australia to care for a relative with a medical condition or to assist a relative who is providing that care.
   
• Subclass 836 – Carer Visa (Onshore):
  For individuals already in Australia on another visa. This visa lets them stay permanently to provide necessary care to an eligible relative.
   

• The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
   
• The person requiring care must have a long-term or permanent medical condition that causes them to need assistance with daily tasks.
   
• The need for care must be verified through an assessment by Bupa Medical Visa Services.
   
• The care required must not be reasonably accessible through Australian community or health services.
   
• The carer must be willing and able to provide substantial, ongoing care.
   

• Permanent residency in Australia.
   
• Access to Medicare, work and study rights.
   
• The ability to sponsor family members and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.

 The Child Visa allows dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently or temporarily. These visas are designed to reunite children with their parents who are settled in Australia.

There are several types of child visas based on the child’s age, location, and dependency status.

• Subclass 101 – Child Visa (Offshore):
  A permanent visa for dependent children outside Australia whose parent is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The child must be under 18, or a full-time student aged 18–25, or over 18 with a disability that prevents self-support.
   
• Subclass 802 – Child Visa (Onshore):
  Similar to Subclass 101, but for children already in Australia. This is a permanent visa and offers the same benefits and eligibility requirements.
   
• Subclass 445 – Dependent Child Visa (Temporary):
  A temporary visa for children whose parent holds a temporary partner visa (Subclasses 309 or 820) and is awaiting the outcome of their permanent partner visa. This visa allows the child to stay in Australia temporarily until the parent’s visa is finalized.
   
• Subclass 102 – Adoption Visa:
  For children outside Australia who have been, or are in the process of being, adopted by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

 The Orphan Relative Visa allows a child who is orphaned or unable to be cared for by their parents to live in Australia with a close relative. This visa is intended for children who have lost both parents or whose parents are unable to care for them due to exceptional circumstances.

It provides a pathway to permanent residency and is designed to ensure the child receives proper care and support in a stable family environment in Australia.

• Subclass 117 – Orphan Relative Visa (Offshore):
  For children outside Australia who have no parents able to care for them. They must be sponsored by a close relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
   
• Subclass 837 – Orphan Relative Visa (Onshore):
  For children who are already in Australia  without parental care. The sponsoring relative must meet specific eligibility requirements. 

• The child must be:
  • Under 18 years of age
  • Not married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship
  • Without the care of both parents due to death, permanent incapacity, or inability to be found
     
• The sponsor must be a close relative (brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or step-equivalent) who is:
  • An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • At least 18 years old
• All necessary legal consents for the child to migrate must be provided.
• The child must meet health and character requirements.

 The Remaining Relative Visa is for individuals whose only close family members are living in Australia. It allows them to permanently migrate and reunite with their family when they have no other immediate relatives living outside Australia.

This visa is ideal for those who are truly alone in their home country and wish to be with their last remaining family ties in Australia.

• Subclass 115 – Remaining Relative Visa (Offshore):
  For applicants who are outside Australia at the time of application and when the visa is granted. They must be sponsored by an eligible relative in Australia.
• Subclass 835 – Remaining Relative Visa (Onshore):
  For individuals who are already in Australia on another valid visa. This visa allows them to remain in the country permanently with their only close relatives.

• The applicant must:
  • Have no near relatives (parents, siblings, step-siblings) outside Australia
  • Be sponsored by an eligible relative or their partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • Have a sponsor who can provide assurance of support
  • Meet health and character requirements
• The applicant must be single or not in a de facto or married relationship unless migrating with a partner who also meets the criteria.
   

A remaining relative is someone who does not have any close family members (parents, siblings, children) living outside Australia. Their only close family must live in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.