Australia offers a wide range of family visas to help reunite families and allow individuals to join their loved ones in the country. Navigating the visa process can be overwhelming, especially when there are several options available. To simplify the journey, it’s important to understand the different types of Australian family visa, their eligibility criteria, and how an Australian registered migration agent can assist you throughout the process.
This blog will provide an overview of the primary family visas available in Australia and offer insights into how to choose the right one for your circumstances.
Why Choose an Australian Family Visa?
Australia’s family visa program allows citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor family members to join them in Australia. Whether you’re reuniting with your spouse, children, parents, or other relatives, a family visa is the most effective pathway to legally entering and residing in Australia.
These visas cater to various relationships, including partners, children, and dependent relatives. Each visa has different requirements and conditions, so it’s essential to select the one that best suits your situation.
Types of Australian Family Visas
1. Partner Appears
Partner visas are designed for individuals who are in a genuine and committed relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. These visas allow the spouse or de facto partner to live, work, and study in Australia.
- Partner (Provisional) Visa (subclass 309): This temporary visa allows the applicant to live in Australia while their permanent Partner (Migrant) Visa (subclass 100) is processed.
- Partner Visa (subclass 820/801): This visa is for onshore applicants and is processed in two stages—first as a temporary visa (subclass 820) and later as a permanent visa (subclass 801) once the relationship is proven to be ongoing.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must be married or in a de facto relationship with an eligible Australian sponsor.
- Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
Partner visas are some of the most popular family visas, and applicants may benefit from consulting an Australian registered migration agent to ensure they meet all requirements.
2. Parent Visas
Australia offers various visas for parents who wish to join their children living in Australia. The Parent Visa options cater to parents who want to stay temporarily or permanently, depending on their circumstances.
- Parent Visa (subclass 103): This permanent visa is for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents. However, it has a long processing time due to high demand.
- Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143): This is a faster option but comes with higher costs. It allows parents to become permanent residents of Australia.
- Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173): This visa allows parents to stay temporarily in Australia and later apply for permanent residency through the subclass 143 visa.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The child must sponsor the parent’s visa.
- The applicant must meet the balance-of-family test, where at least half of their children live permanently in Australia.
Given the complexity and high financial costs involved, seeking advice from a migration agent can be helpful in choosing the right parent visa.
3. Child Visas
Child visas allow dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia. These visas are suitable for biological, adopted, or stepchildren.
- Child Visa (subclass 101): This is a permanent visa for children outside Australia, allowing them to join their parents as permanent residents.
- Child Visa (subclass 802): Similar to the subclass 101 visa but for children already in Australia.
- Adoption Visa (subclass 102): This visa is for children adopted by Australian citizens or permanent residents outside Australia.
- Dependent Child Visa (subclass 445): This temporary visa allows the dependent child of a parent holding a Partner Visa to live in Australia until a final decision on the parent’s visa application is made.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The child must be dependent on their sponsoring parent.
- The child must be under 18, or under 25 and studying full-time, or unable to work due to a disability.
4. Remaining Relative Visa (subclass 115/835)
This visa is for individuals who have no close family members outside Australia and wish to join their only remaining family member in Australia. The Remaining Relative Visa can be either offshore (subclass 115) or onshore (subclass 835), depending on where the application is lodged.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must have no close relatives other than their sponsor in Australia.
- The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
5. Carer Visa (subclass 116/836)
This visa is for individuals who need to move to Australia to care for a relative with a long-term or permanent medical condition. Like the Remaining Relative Visa, it can be applied for offshore (subclass 116) or onshore (subclass 836).
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must provide ongoing, substantial care for a relative with a medical condition.
- The relative must not be able to receive adequate care from anyone else or from Australian health services.
6. Aged Dependent Relative Visa (subclass 114/838)
This visa is for elderly relatives who are financially dependent on an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The Aged Dependent Relative Visa allows applicants to live in Australia permanently.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be aged, financially dependent on their sponsor, and unable to work due to age.
- The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The Role of an Australian Registered Migration Agent
Given the variety of Australian family visas options and the complexity of the visa application process, it’s often beneficial to work with an Australian registered migration agent. Here’s how they can help:
- Expert Advice
A migration agent can assess your circumstances and recommend the best family visa for your situation. They will ensure you meet all the requirements and guide you through each step of the process. - Accurate Documentation
Applying for a visa requires submitting several documents, including proof of relationship, financial records, and health checks. An agent can help ensure that all paperwork is accurate, complete, and submitted on time. - Navigating Complex Requirements
Family visas often involve complicated eligibility criteria, such as the balance-of-family test for parent visas. A migration agent will help you understand and navigate these requirements to avoid delays or rejections. - Streamlined Process
An experienced migration agent will streamline the entire application process, from gathering documents to lodging your visa, making the experience smoother and less stressful. - Keeping Up-to-Date with Regulations
Immigration laws and visa requirements in Australia change frequently. A registered migration agent stays up-to-date with these changes, ensuring that your application adheres to the latest regulations.
Conclusion
The Australian family visa program offers a variety of options for reuniting with loved ones, each with its own unique requirements and benefits. Whether you are applying for a partner, parent, child, or relative visa, it’s essential to choose the right visa that best suits your situation. Consulting with an Australian registered migration agent can greatly improve your chances of a successful application by offering expert guidance and simplifying the process.
Navigating the family visa process can be complex, but with the right assistance, you can reunite with your family and build your future together in Australia.
