Australia is a country which has always encouraged family migration and the integration of multiple ethnicities to improve the nation's economic and social fabric. It is a way to provide families the opportunity to establish their roots in the country and prosper together. Keeping this in mind, the Department of Home Affairs in Australia offers a range of family visas to help Australian citizens and permanent residents bring their dependent family members, parents, partners, and children to Australia on a temporary or permanent basis. These visas are sponsored by Australian citizens or permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens.
Following are the different categories of family visas that the sponsoring person may choose from to bring their family members or dependents to Australia. Let us discuss all categories of Family Visa Australia in detail.
Partner Visa (Subclass 801)
Also known as Subclass 801, the Partner Visa for Australia allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident to migrate to Australia. The visa is applicable for married partners, same sex partners, and a fiancee or fiance of an Australian citizen, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Your application for a Partner Visa to Australia must be lodged or sponsored by your partner already living in Australia for a period of two years.
You are eligible to apply for the Partner Visa Australia if you meet the following requirements:
- Both partners must be 18 years of age or above.
- The applicant must be the spouse, fiance or de facto partner of the person residing in Australia.
- Your spouse must be able to sponsor you for at least two years.
- For married couples, it is important to prove your relationship for more than 12 months as well as that it is legitimate under Australian law.
- For de facto partners, they must demonstrate the length of the relationship for at least 12 months.
- Must provide sufficient proof to establish the credibility of your relationship.
- Must satisfy health and character requirements.
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
The Prospective Marriage Visa for Australia is created for people who want to get married to an Australian permanent resident or citizen, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The visa is valid for 9 months only, during which you must marry your prospective partner. The holder of Subclass 300 is eligible to apply for full-time work or study during this 9-month period at their own expense. Once you are married, you may then go ahead and apply for a partner visa, which will ultimately lead to your Australia permanent resident status.
To be eligible for a Prospective Marriage Visa, you must satisfy the below-mentioned criteria:
- Both partners must be 18 years or above.
- You must be engaged to an Australian permanent resident, a citizen, or an eligible citizen of New Zealand.
- Your visa application must be sponsored by your prospective spouse or partner.
- You must intend to marry each other within the 9-month period.
- Meet the necessary health and character requirements.
- Must clear all your debts to the Australian government, in case you have any.
- The intended marriage must be recognized or legal under Australian law.
- You must have met your partner in person during the course of your relationship.
- You must not be married to anyone else while lodging the application.
- You are genuine in your intentions to live together as husband and wife.
Parent Visa
It is a permanent resident visa that permits the eligible parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to reunite with their children in Australia. Under the Australia Parent Visa, you will be sponsored by your child settled in the country. The Parent Visa for Australia can be further divided into several categories.
Parent Category: The visa category allows Australian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their parents or family to join them in Australia either temporarily or permanently.
Contributory Parent: The Contributory Parent Visa comprises a number of visa pathways or migration programs. By applying for this visa, you may stay in Australia as a permanent resident. However, in order to qualify for this visa, you must meet the balance-of-family test, which means half of your children must be living as lawful Australian residents or citizens. Also, you must submit an Assurance of Support for a permanent visa in the aforementioned category. The same is not mandatory for people applying for the Retirement Pathway.
Sponsored Parent: It is a temporary visa category introduced in March 2019 to help parents or grandparents join their children in Australia. The visa pathway allows a parent to live in Australia for a period of five years without much limitation, however, the parent must be outside for at least 90 days before reapplying for this visa.
Aged Parent Visa: The visa is granted for older parents who wish to live in Australia with their children, who are already Australian residents or citizens. The prospective parents must be sponsored by their children before applying for this visa.
To be eligible for the Parent Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be sponsored by an eligible child who is already settled in Australia as a resident or citizen.
- Parents who are applying as a retiree do not need a sponsor for this visa.
- Meet the balance-of-family test, which means half of your children must be lawfully living in Australia.
- Be able to obtain an assurance of support.
- Meet the health and character requirements.
- Have cleared all your debts with the government of Australia, in case you have any.
Australia Parent Visa cost may go up to AUD 6,415, and no additional fee will be charged for each family member who applies with you.
Child Visa (Subclass 101)
A child born outside Australia to an Australian citizen or permanent resident does not become a citizen by default, unlike those born in Australia. In such a scenario, the parent must apply for a Child Visa that comes under Subclass 101. The Child Visa is granted for up to 25 years of age, and the prospective child must remain outside Australia until their visa application is under process.
Adoption (Subclass 102): This is a permanent resident visa for a child who is born outside Australia, is below 18 years of age, and has been adopted earlier or is in the process of being adopted by an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 117 / Subclass 837): The Orphan Relative is a visa category that allows an orphan child overseas (below 18 years) to live with their relatives in Australia. To apply for this visa, the parents of the child must be dead, incapacitated or unable to be found.
Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445): This stream is applicable for children whose parents are the holders of a temporary partner visa and in the process of obtaining a permanent visa in Australia.
To be eligible for a Child Visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Be dependent on sponsored parents who are Australian permanent residents or citizens, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
- The child must be over 18 years of age or under 25 years.
- Be not married to anyone or in a de facto relationship.
- Must meet health and character requirements along with the parents applying for this visa.
- Be either a biological, adopted or step-child of the parent who holds a temporary partner visa.
Other Family Visa Pathways
Other family visa pathways are created for dependent relatives, caregivers, and other relatives of residents and citizens of Australia and New Zealand. The visa permits eligible relatives to migrate to Australia permanently, upon meeting the following requirements:
- The prospective applicant must be sponsored by a relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The applicant must demonstrate sufficient evidence to prove their connection in Australia.
- Must provide an assurance of support.
- Meet health and character requirements.
This visa application can be submitted from outside Australia. If your temporary visa allows you to apply for another visa while you are in Australia, you can also apply in Australia. When the visa is issued, you must be physically located outside of Australia.
Benefits of a Family Visa Australia
- The holder of this visa can work and study in Australia without any restrictions.
- Take the benefit of health care facilities along with social security.
- May apply for Australian citizenship after a certain period.
- Sponsor other people for permanent residence.
Why Choose Abhinav?
Our team of dedicated experts assesses your profile carefully and suggests relevant options accordingly. Get in touch with us today to know the steps and procedures to follow under Australia family immigration.
We at Abhinav are committed to offering unbeatable services when it comes to assessing documents for your family visa application. As one of the leading immigration consultants in India, we strive to provide a comprehensive range of immigration and advisory services to families, individuals, and investors who wish to move to Australia and kick-start a new life in one of the world's most developed economies.
