Family and Partner Visas: Reunite with Your Loved Ones

Australia provides a range of visas to help families reunite, offering options for partners, children, parents, and other family members to live together in Australia.

Australia’s family visas allow Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor close family members to live and work in Australia. The main visa types include:

• Partner Visas (Subclass 820/801, Subclass 309/100 and Temporary Subclass 870): For married, de facto, or engaged partners.
• Parent Visas (Subclass 103/143 and 804/864): For parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Child Visas (Subclass 101 and 802): For dependent children of Australian residents or citizens.
• Other Family Visas: Include visas for remaining relatives, caregivers, or dependent relatives.

 If you are in a relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a partner visa. This visa applies to married couples, de facto partners, and fiancé(e)s.

Types of Partner Visas:

• Onshore (Subclass 820/801): Allows applicants to stay in Australia while waiting for their visa results.
• Offshore (Subclass 309/100): Allows applicants to apply from outside Australia and move once the visa is granted.

The process involves two stages:

• Temporary visa (Subclass 820/309): Initially granted as a temporary visa while your relationship is assessed.
• Permanent visa (Subclass 801/100): After 2 years, if your relationship is ongoing, you may be granted permanent residency.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Genuine Relationship: You must prove that you are in a genuine and committed relationship.
• Sponsorship: You must have a sponsor when you lodge your application and when you are on Subclass 820 or 309 visas.
• De Facto Relationship: Must have lived together for at least 12 months, unless you are married or the relationship is registered.

Parent visas allow the parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live in Australia. 

Types of parent visas:

• Non-contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 103 and 804): This is a more affordable option but involves long waiting times (up to 31 years).
• Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 and 864) : This visa has a significantly shorter processing time (up to 14 years) but requires a higher visa application fee.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Balance of Family Test: At least half of your children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
• Sponsorship: The Australian child must sponsor the parent.

Children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens may apply for a child visa.

Types of parent visas:

• Child Visa (Subclass 101/802): For dependent children under 18, full-time students aged 18-25, or children with disabilities.
• Adoption Visa (Subclass 102): For children adopted by Australian residents or citizens.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Dependency: The child must be financially dependent on the sponsoring parent.
• Sponsorship: The sponsoring parent must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.