Australia Family Visa

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Australia Family Visa Complete Guide

1. What Is a Family Visa in Australia?

“Family visas” in Australia cover a range of visa subclasses that let eligible family members join an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. These include partner visas, parent visas, child visas, and other family visas.

2. Types of Family Visas

• Partner Visas (e.g. Subclass 820/801) – for spouse or de facto partner.
• Parent Visas – including permanent parent visas and temporary Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870). 
• Child Visas – for dependent children of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Other Family Visas – e.g. Remaining Relative visa, Aged Dependent Relative visa, Carer visa. 

3. Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on the visa subclass, but generally:

• The sponsor must usually be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. 
• The sponsored family member must have a qualifying relationship (partner, child, parent, remaining relative, etc.). 
• Some visas (like Subclass 870) require that the sponsor meets a minimum income threshold. 
• Both sponsor and applicant must meet character and health requirements. 

4. Requirements to Submit the Application

The documentation and requirements vary by visa subclass, but common elements include:

• Proof of identity and relationship: passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, or evidence of a de facto relationship. 
• Character checks: police certificates for applicants (especially if aged over 16). 
• Health checks: medical examinations by an approved panel doctor. 
• Financial support: evidence that the sponsor can support the applicant (bank statements, income proof). 
• Sponsorship form: Sponsors must sign a “sponsorship undertaking” (for many visa types). 
• Translations: All non-English documents must be translated, with certified translators. 
• Including family members: You may need to complete Form 1496i to declare who is in your “family unit.” 
• Dependent details: Use Form 47A for children or other dependent family members. 

5. How to Prepare Your Application

To maximize your chances of approval:

• Read carefully the Department of Home Affairs’ “Step-by-Step” checklist for the specific visa subclass. 
• Ensure all documents are correctly filled out, signed, and translated if needed. 
• Gather evidence of genuine relationship (if applying for a partner visa), such as joint finances, photos, shared travel. 
• Track your application through your ImmiAccount (for many visa types). 
• Be ready to respond quickly to any departmental requests for more information, biometrics, or additional documents. 
• Update any changes in your situation (address, contact, etc.) via ImmiAccount. 

6. Where and How to Submit the Application

The submission method depends on the visa subclass:

• Online via ImmiAccount: Many family visas (e.g., partner visas, subclass 870) are lodged online. 
• Paper application: Some visas (like child visas, parent visas, other family visas) require paper forms. 
• For sponsorship, there are specific forms (e.g. Sponsorship Form 40) that must be submitted. 
• When you pay the application fee, record the receipt number and write it on the paper form (if sending). 

7. Processing Times & Risks

Processing times depend a lot on visa type and demand. Some visas (e.g., parent visas) can take years.

There is also a limited annual quota for some “other family” visas such as Aged Dependent Relative or Remaining Relative visas. 

8. Tips & Risks to Avoid

• Double-check names: make sure names in all documents match exactly, including past names. 
• Avoid missing or inconsistent information; respond fast to further information requests. 
• Consider the sponsor’s financial capacity seriously – they commit to support the applicant. 
• If you’re unsure, seek advice from a registered migration agent – immigration law is complex.

9. Useful Links

• Department of Home Affairs: Applying for a Family Visa
• About Other Family Visas
• Sponsorship Form (Form 40)
• Form 1496i: Including Family Members in Application

Detailed Guide Australian Family Visa Subclasses (2025)

1. Partner Visas (Subclass 820 / 801, 309 / 100, 300)

The partner visa pathway is one of the most common family migration routes. It allows de facto or married partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.

1.1 Subclass 820 / 801 (Onshore Temporary → Permanent)

• Eligibility: Must be in a genuine de facto or married relationship; sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen. 
• Fees: The base combined application charge is around AUD 9,365 (as of 2025) for the main applicant. Additional adult dependent: ~AUD 4,685; under-18 dependent: ~AUD 2,345. Keep in mind extra costs: health checks, police certificates, translations.
• Processing Times: - Subclass 820: ~50% of applications in 12–13 months, 90% in ~ 20–29 months. - Subclass 801 (permanent stage): 50% in ~8–9 months, 90% in ~18–26 months (after eligibility).
• Process Overview: 1. Lodge both 820 and 801 together via ImmiAccount. After lodgement, you typically receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) allowing you to stay while decision is pending. Once 820 is granted, you must typically wait about 2 years from application date before being eligible for the 801 decision — unless you already have a long-term relationship or children, which might qualify for a “double grant.” Complete health and character checks.
• Tips: Provide strong evidence of relationship: joint finances, photos, travel, declarations (e.g. Form 888).

1.2 Subclass 309 / 100 (Offshore Partner Visa)

This is for partners living outside Australia.

• Processing Times: According to migration-law sources, subclass 309 (temporary) 90% decision in ~26 months; subclass 100 (permanent) ~19 months after 309.
• Fees: Similar to 820/801 (the same base charge for partner visas) plus dependents.

1.3 Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage Visa)

This visa lets an engaged partner come to Australia, marry, and then apply for a partner visa.

• Fee: If converting to partner visa later, cost varies but generally lower for 300-to-820 route. 
• Important: You need to marry within the visa validity and then apply for the partner visa from inside Australia. 

2. Parent Visas

These visas are for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible NZ citizens.

2.1 Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103 & 804)

• Types: - Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (permanent) - Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (permanent)
• Processing Times: Extremely long due to queuing and quota. For subclass 103, estimates are 30+ years.
• Cost: Base application charge for 103 is about AUD 5,125 for main applicant; additional for dependents.
• Other Obligations: Assurance of Support (AoS) may be required (a financial bond commitment).

2.2 Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143 & 173)

• Subclass 173 (Temporary Contributory Parent): 2-year visa, then eligible to apply for 143.
• Subclass 143 (Permanent Contributory Parent): - Processing Time: Often 3–5 years (depending on quotas). - Fees: Base application ~AUD 5,040; second instalment ~AUD 43,600 (at decision time) per main applicant. - Eligibility: Must meet “Balance of Family Test” – more than 50% of your children must live in Australia, or you have more children in Australia than in any other country. - Assurance of Support (AoS): Likely required; bond or commitment for support.
• Risks & Tips: High cost, but faster processing compared to non-contributory. Use queue release date updates on Home Affairs website. 

2.3 Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)

• Purpose: To bring parents temporarily (3- or 5-year visa). Good option if you don’t want to (or cannot) wait for permanent parent visa. 
• Processing Time: Much faster compared to permanent parent visas. Pathway Migration estimates ~<6
• Cost: According to Parent-Visa guides, ~AUD 6,070 for 3-year visa, ~AUD 12,140 for 5-year visa.
• No AoS Required: Generally, no Assurance of Support is needed, which makes it less burdensome than contributory permanent visas.

3. Child Visas (Subclass 101 & 802)

These visas help dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible NZ citizens to migrate.

3.1 Subclass 101 (Offshore Child Permanent Visa)

• Processing Time: According to migration-agent data, ~50% are processed in 21 months, 90% in 27 months.
• Cost: The base application fee is around AUD 3,235 (as per some sources). 
• Additional Requirements: Sponsor (parent) must complete a sponsorship; child may need health and character checks; also translation if needed.

3.2 Subclass 802 (Onshore Child Permanent Visa)

• Processing Times: Varies; some sources estimate ~16–24 months for many applications.
• Cost: Similar or slightly different from 101, depending on age and dependents. (Check the current visa-price estimator for exact values.)
• How to Apply: Often submitted on paper (using Form 47CH for the child + Form 40CH for sponsor). 

4. Other Family Visas

These visas include Aged Dependent Relative, Carer visa, Remaining Relative, and Orphan Relative visas. They are often subject to quotas and long processing times.

• Carer Visa (Subclass 116 / 836): According to some sources, processing can be up to 7 years due to capping. 
• Aged Dependent Relative (Subclass 114 / 838): Very long queue; SSCS estimates up to 10–30+ years. 
• Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 115 / 835): These visas are rare and also heavily capped; waiting times can be decades. 

5. Key Tips & Strategy for Applying

• Use ImmiAccount: For many of these visas (especially partner and parent), apply online via the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount to manage your application.
• Prepare Documentation Carefully: Provide high-quality evidence (relationship proof, identity, financials, sponsorship). Incomplete or weak evidence can slow processing.
• Health and Character Checks: Be ready to do panel-doctor medicals and police certificates; these are mandatory for most family visas.
• Understand Queuing: Some parent and other family visas are queued and capped. Even after lodgement, there can be a long wait before “queue release.”
• Budget for Costs: For contributory parent visas, costs can be very high (tens of thousands AUD).
• Consider Temporary Options: If you need a faster route, temporary visas (like subclass 870 for parents) may help.
• Check Updates Frequently: Visa fees, processing times, and quotas can change. Use the official Home Affairs website to check the latest.
• Get Professional Advice: Given the complexity (especially for parent visas), consider consulting a registered migration agent or lawyer.

6. Conclusion

The Australian family visa system is diverse, with many different subclasses depending on your relationship to the sponsor (partner, parent, child, other relative). Each subclass varies significantly in cost, processing time, and risk. For many applicants, especially parents, the queue times can be very long, so it's important to carefully plan your strategy, gather strong documentation, and be realistic about waiting times.

Before applying, check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date visa fees, policy changes, and processing estimates.