Family Migration
Australia Family Visa Overview
Australia your new home! Having achieved the milestone of becoming a permanent resident (PR) or a citizen, you’re now reaping the rewards of life down under. It’s only natural that you’d want your loved ones to join you in experiencing the vibrant life Australia offers.
Thanks to the family migration program, bringing your family members to Australia is a possibility. The Australian Department of Immigration provides opportunities for its citizens or permanent residents to reunite with their families by facilitating family visa applications.
This opportunity extends to parents, children, and other relatives, enabling them to migrate under specific conditions.
Understanding Australian Parent Visas
Parent visas allow Australian PR holders or citizens to sponsor their biological, legal (including adoptive), step-parents, or parents-in-law for migration to Australia, either temporarily or permanently. With seven subclasses available, these visas can involve substantial application fees and lengthy processing times—among the longest for any visa category. Therefore, it’s crucial to evaluate your options carefully to determine the most suitable path for your family’s needs.
Types of Australian Parent Visas
Australian parent visas are categorized into three main types: contributory, non-contributory, and temporary sponsored. Contributory visas lead to permanent residency and are characterized by higher fees but faster processing times compared to non-contributory visas, which have longer processing periods and lower fees but also lead to permanent residency.
The Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa, on the other hand, does not offer a permanent residency path but boasts the quickest processing time among parent visas. It can be extended up to 10 years and uniquely does not require a balance of family test.
Breakdown of Parent Visa Categories:
Contributory Parent Visas:
- Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) – Available for applicants outside and inside Australia
- Contributory Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 173) – Available for applicants outside and inside Australia
- Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 884) – For applicants inside Australia
- Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Permanent) (Subclass 864) – For applicants inside Australia
Non-Contributory Parent Visas:
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
- Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa:
- Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 870) – For applicants outside Australia
Key Advantages of Contributory Parent Visas:
- Pathway to permanent residency
- Eligibility for Medicare
- Shorter processing times compared to Non-Contributory parent visas
Subclass 143 – International and Domestic Applicants
Contributory Parent Permanent Visa
This visa allows parents of an established Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or a qualified New Zealand citizen to relocate to Australia on a permanent basis.
Subclass 143 Visa Essential Details for 2024
- Must be located outside of Australia during the application submission and final decision stages.
- Possess an eligible offspring who is either an established Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a qualified New Zealand citizen.
- Fulfill the balance-of-family criterion.
- Secure an Assurance of Support.
- Ensure not to hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa at the time of this visa application.
Subclass 173 – Overseas and Domestic
Temporary Contributory Parent Visa
This visa enables parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealander who are settled in Australia, to relocate to Australia on a temporary basis. Holders of this visa are permitted to reside in Australia for a period of up to 2 years.
Essential Information for Subclass 173 Visa in 2024
- Possess a child who is a settled citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or an eligible citizen of New Zealand.
- Satisfy the balance-of-family criterion.
- Must not hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa at the time of this visa application.
Subclass 884 – Onshore
Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa Overview
This visa type is designated for the aged parents of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, offering them an opportunity to reside in Australia on a temporary basis. It grants a stay duration of up to 2 years within the country.
Subclass 884 Visa Essential Details for 2024
- Must have a qualifying child who is either a settled Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Need to meet the age requirement for the Australian aged pension, which starts at 65 years old.
- Applicants must be within Australia’s borders (excluding immigration clearance zones) at both the application and decision stages.
- Cannot hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa at the time of submitting an application for this visa.
Subclass 864
Contributory Aged Parent Permanent Visa
The 864 Visa, also referred to as the Contributory Aged Parent Permanent Visa, enables older parents to settle, live, and work indefinitely in Australia, benefiting from Medicare and unrestricted travel.
Essential Information for the 864 Visa in 2024
- Your child must be either an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or a qualified New Zealand citizen, having resided in Australia for a minimum of two years.
- You must be of pensionable age in Australia (between 65 and 66 years, varying according to your birth year), with this age threshold set to adjust each July annually.
- If you have previously applied for a temporary sponsored parent visa or the visa 870 within Australia, this visa option is not applicable to you.
- It's possible to aim for sponsorship under a non-sponsored Permanent Parent Visa scheme.
Parent Visas Without Contribution
Parent Visas Without Contribution grant permanent residency, unlocking Medicare benefits and the path to citizenship. These visas take more time to process but are more affordable in terms of application fees compared to their Contributory counterparts.
Advantages of Acquiring a Parent Visa Without Contribution
- Opens the door to permanent residency
- Eligibility for Medicare
- Lower application cost than Contributory Parent Visas
Subclass 103
Parent Visa
This visa permits a parent of a settled Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a qualified New Zealand citizen to relocate to Australia on a permanent basis.
- Possess an eligible child who resides in Australia as a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Fulfill all necessary visa requirements and comply with Australian regulations.
- Ensure that you have not previously applied for or currently possess a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa at the time of this application.
Subclass 804
Elderly Parent Visa
This visa permits a parent of an established Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or a qualified citizen of New Zealand to relocate to Australia on a permanent basis.
Essential Information for Subclass 804 Visa in 2023
- Possess an eligible offspring who is an established citizen of Australia, a permanent resident, or a qualified New Zealand citizen.
- Meet the age requirements to qualify for the Australian age pension.
- Ensure you have not applied for or currently possess a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa at the time of applying for this visa.
Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa Overview
Advantages of Securing a Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa
- Quickest turnaround for Parent Visa applications
- No requirement for the "balance of family" test
- Permits a stay of up to 10 years
Subclass 870 – Overseas
Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa
This visa provides an opportunity for the parents of a settled Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or a qualified New Zealand citizen to reside in Australia on a temporary basis. The visa grants a temporary stay in Australia for either three or five years.
- Subclass 870 Visa Essential Information for 2023
- To be eligible, you must be a biological, legally recognized (this includes adoptive) parent, step-parent, or parent-in-law of the Parent Sponsor.
- An approved Parent Sponsor is required before submitting a visa application.
- Your visa application must be submitted within 6 months following the sponsorship's approval, or within 60 days if you receive Permission to Apply while in Australia.
Child Visa Offshore
Subclass 102
Adoption Visa
This visa is designed for Australian citizens or permanent residents to welcome their adopted children into Australia for a permanent stay.
Subclass 102 Visa Essential Details for 2023
- The child must be younger than 18 years old during adoption, application, and when the decision is made.
- The child should be located outside of Australia when the application is submitted and when the decision is finalized.
- The child must have been adopted or must be in the adoption process with their sponsoring parent.
Subclass 101
Child Migration Visa (Overseas)
This visa allows the child of an established Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or qualified New Zealand citizen to relocate permanently to Australia.
Essential Information for Subclass 101 Visa in 2023
- Must be a reliant child of a parent who is either an Australian citizen, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or a holder of an Australian permanent visa.
- Eligibility extends to those under 18 years of age, students aged 18 to under 25 engaged in full-time education and financially reliant on the parent, or individuals over 18 with a disability that prevents employment.
- Applicants must be unmarried and reliant on their parent.
- Applicants are required to be outside Australia at both the time of application submission and decision-making.
Child Visa Onshore
Subclass 802
Child Visa (Domestic Application)
This visa category is designed for children of established Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, aiming to provide them with a pathway to permanently reside in Australia.
Subclass 802 Visa Essential Information for 2023
To qualify, an applicant must:
- Be a dependent child of an Australian citizen, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent visa holder.
- Be under the age of 18, or if older, must be a full-time student between 18 and 25 years old and financially reliant on the parent, or be over 18 with a disability preventing employment.
- Not be married or in a de facto relationship and must rely on the parent for support.
- Be present in Australia both when applying for the visa and when a decision is made. Advantages of Securing a Child Visa (Subclass 802)
- Attain Permanent Residency status.
- Eligibility to apply for Australian citizenship.
- Entitlement to work, study, and access public healthcare (Medicare).
Subclass 445
Temporary Dependent Child Visa
The subclass 445 visa facilitates your offspring’s temporary residency in Australia, allowing them to engage in work, pursue education, and live while awaiting your acquisition of a permanent partner visa. This visa permits the child to enter and reside in Australia under lawful consent, joining their parents.
Subclass 445 Visa Essential Details for 2024
- If you possess an Australian Temporary Partner Visa (subclass 309 or subclass 820), your child qualifies for this visa.
- Children eligible for this visa must be under the age of 18 or aged 18 to 25 if they wish to reside in Australia.
- Applicants must fulfill health and character stipulations.
- They must rely on you, their parent, for both physical and financial support.
- The child must be under your care and sponsorship.
Alternative Australian Family Visa Options
Subclass 115 - Remaining Relative Visa
This visa allows a relative of an established Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or a qualified New Zealand citizen to permanently relocate to Australia. It requires sponsorship by an eligible family member such as a parent or step-parent, brother or sister or step-sibling, or a qualified partner of your family member, provided you don’t have other close family members.
Key Requirements for the 115 Visa
- You must be outside of Australia both when you apply and when the decision is made.
- You should be the last remaining relative of an Australian citizen, Permanent resident, or a qualified New Zealand citizen.
- You need a qualified sponsor to support your application.
461 Visa – Family Relationship with New Zealand Citizen (Temporary)
The 461 Visa, also recognized as the Family Relationship with New Zealand Citizen (Temporary) Visa, permits you to engage in employment, pursue education, and reside in Australia on a temporary basis for a duration of 5 years. To qualify, you need to either be the spouse or a family member related to a New Zealand citizen who is a resident of Australia.
Essential Qualifications for the 461 Visa
- You must not hold citizenship in either Australia or New Zealand.
- Comply with the health and character standards set by Australia.
- Possess personal health insurance coverage, as you won't qualify for Medicare or any governmental health services in Australia with this temporary visa.
- For applicants younger than 18, your relocation to Australia should align with your best interests.
- If you have previously been granted a visa, ensure it does not include a condition preventing further stays.
Navigate Your Immigration With Expertise
Book a consultation with our immigration specialist to uncover the ideal visa solution tailored for you, and design a detailed roadmap for your migration journey.
For personalized guidance and to start your journey towards living your dreams in Australia, contact Starks Immigration Services today. Let us help you navigate through the process seamlessly.