Family Visa
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Australia’s Family Visa program is designed to reunite Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens with their close family members, enabling them to live together in Australia. These visas provide pathways for partners, children, parents, and other relatives to join their family members in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis, ensuring family unity and stability.
The family visas cover a broad range of relationships, offering multiple visa categories tailored to different family circumstances. Whether you are seeking to bring your spouse, reunite with your children, or sponsor elderly relatives, the family visa program ensures that Australians can maintain strong family bonds while contributing to the country’s multicultural society.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) allows parents to live temporarily in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years. This visa is designed for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) and Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
The Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 173 and 143) allow parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia. Subclass 173 is a temporary visa that can be converted to the permanent Subclass 143 visa.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) and Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884)
The Contributory Aged Parent Visas (Subclass 864 and 884) allow aged parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia. Subclass 884 is a temporary visa that can be converted to the permanent Subclass 864 visa.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently. This visa is suitable for parents who meet the balance-of-family test and have an eligible sponsor.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) allows aged parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently. This visa is suitable for parents who meet the balance-of-family test and have an eligible sponsor.
Key Benefits of Family Visas
- Family Reunification: These visas allow families to live together in Australia, fostering strong relationships and support systems.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Many family visas offer a direct or indirect path to permanent residency, allowing family members to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
- Inclusion of Family Members: Most family visas allow applicants to include dependent children and partners in the application, ensuring that the entire family can benefit from the visa.
- Access to Social Benefits: Once granted permanent residency, visa holders can access Australia’s healthcare system (Medicare), education, and social services, providing a stable foundation for families to thrive.
Family visas play a critical role in Australia’s immigration system, enabling Australians to maintain close ties with their loved ones while contributing to the nation’s social and economic well-being. Each visa is tailored to different family situations, ensuring flexibility and support for families in varying circumstances.
At Santosh Reddy Lawyers, we understand the emotional significance of family reunification and offer personalized guidance to help you navigate the family visa process. Whether you’re applying for a partner, child, or parent visa, we are here to ensure a smooth and successful outcome for your family’s future in Australia.
FAQs
A Parent Visa allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.
The main types include Subclass 870, 173, 143, 864, 884, 103, and 804 visas, which vary in duration, cost, and eligibility.
Parent Visas generally do not allow full work rights, but some may permit limited work depending on the subclass.
Yes, most Parent Visas, such as Subclass 143, 864, 173, and 884, require an Assurance of Support.
An Assurance of Support is a legal commitment to provide financial support to the visa holder for a specified period to ensure they do not rely on government assistance.
The Balance of Family Test requires at least half of the parent’s children to be living in Australia as permanent residents or citizens, or more children in Australia than in any other single country.
Yes, most Parent Visas allow you to include your partner in the application.
No, the Balance of Family Test is a mandatory requirement for most Parent Visas.
Permanent Parent Visa holders, such as Subclass 143 and 864, may be eligible for Medicare. Temporary visa holders generally are not.
Contributory Parent Visas (e.g., 143, 173) require a higher fee but are processed faster, while non-contributory visas (e.g., 103, 804) have lower fees but longer processing times.
The Subclass 870 visa is a temporary visa that allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 5 years without the need for the Balance of Family Test.
You can stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years, depending on the option chosen.
Yes, you can reapply for the Subclass 870 visa, but the maximum cumulative stay in Australia on this visa is 10 years.
Yes, you must be sponsored by your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen child.
No, the Subclass 870 visa does not provide work rights.
No, the Balance of Family Test is not required for the Subclass 870 visa.
The cost depends on the duration, but it typically ranges between AUD 5,000 and AUD 10,000.
Processing times can vary, but it generally takes a few months.
No, you cannot extend it, but you may apply for another Subclass 870 visa up to the cumulative 10-year limit.
No, the Subclass 870 visa does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency.