Family & Partner Visas

The Subclass 309 (Temporary Partner Visa) and Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa) are designed for individuals who are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen while living outside Australia. The 309 visa allows couples to live in Australia temporarily and can lead to the Subclass 100 visa, which grants permanent residency after meeting specific conditions.

Eligibility requirements: Temporary Partner Visa

• not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
• be outside Australia when you apply
• have a sponsor
• be over the age of 18
• meet relationship requirements
• meet the health requirement
• meet the character requirement
• have no debt to the Australian Government
• sign the Australian values statement
• best interests of the child

Eligibility requirements: Permanent Partner Visa

• hold either a temporary partner visa (Subclass 309) or a Dependent Child (Subclass 445) visa
• 2 years must have passed since you applied for the combined 309 and 100 visa
• be married or in a de facto relationship
• have a genuine and continuing relationship
• live together or don’t live permanently apart
• be mutually committed to a shared life excluding other partners
• have no debt to the Australian Government
• best interests of the child

The Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa) and Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa) are intended for couples who are in a committed relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and are applying from within Australia. Subclass 820 allows the partner to reside in Australia temporarily, with the possibility of transitioning to the Subclass 801 visa for permanent residency after meeting eligibility criteria and demonstrating a continued genuine relationship.

Eligibility requirements: Temporary Partner Visa

• not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
• not hold certain regional visas
• be in Australia when you apply
• be the right age (18 or older)
• hold a substantive visa
• meet relationship requirements
• meet the health requirements
• meet the character requirements
• have no debt to the Australian Government
• sign the Australian values statement
• best interests of the child

Eligibility requirements: Permanent Partner Visa

• hold either a temporary partner visa (Subclass 820) or a Dependent Child (Subclass 445) visa
• 2 years must have passed since you applied for the combined 820 and 801 visa
• be married or in a de facto relationship
• have a genuine and continuing relationship
• live together or don’t live permanently apart
• be mutually committed to a shared life excluding other partners
• have no debt to the Australian Government
• best interests of the child

The Prospective Marriage Visa is for individuals who plan to marry their Australian partner and live together in Australia. This visa allows the holder to enter Australia and marry their partner within nine months of arrival, after which they can apply for a partner visa to obtain permanent residency. Upon marrying, the visa holder can then apply for a Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801), transitioning to permanent residency while living together as a married couple.

This visa is an excellent option for couples who wish to formalise their relationship in Australia while ensuring they can remain together as they take the next steps in their commitment.

Eligibility requirements:

• not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
• be outside Australia when you apply
• have a sponsor
• be the right age
• meet relationship requirements
• meet the health requirement
• meet the character requirement
• have no debt to the Australian Government
• sign the Australian values statement
• best interests of the child

The Child Visa is designed for children of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa allows children to migrate to Australia and live with their parent(s) or guardian. The Subclass 101 lets a child outside Australia move to Australia to live with their parents, while the Subclass 802 visa allows a child to stay in Australia with their parents permanently. Eligible children must be under 18 years of age.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be dependent on their parent who is an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent visa holder
• Have a sponsor: an eligible parent or their parent’s spouse or de facto partner
• Child must be either:
  • Under 18
  • Over 18 and under 15, studying full time
  • Over 18 with a disability
• Have no partner
• Meet the health requirement
• Meet the character requirement
• Have paid back debt to the Australian Government
• Sign the Australian values statement (if 18 or older)
• Have consent to migrate to Australia
• Best interests of the child

Parent Visas Subclasses 103 and 804 allow parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia. These permanent visas allow a parent or aged parent to move and/or stay in Australia. These visas aim to facilitate family reunification for parents wishing to live with their children in Australia.

Eligibility requirements: Parent Visa (Subclass 103)

• Be the parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Child should be at least 18 years old and have lived in Australia for at least two years if not a citizen.
• Meet the balance of family test, meaning at least half of the children live in Australia as permanent residents or citizens, or more of the children live in Australia than in any other country.
• Fulfill health requirements.
• Satisfy character requirements.
• Not have a previously cancelled visa or a visa refused that remains valid.

Eligibility requirements: Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

• Be the parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Be old enough to receive the Age Pension in Australia (currently 66 years old).
• Child should be at least 18 years old and have lived in Australia for a minimum of two years if not a citizen.
• Meet the balance of family test, similar to the 103 visa requirements.
• Fulfill health requirements.
• Satisfy character requirements.
• Not have a previously cancelled visa or a visa refused that remains valid.

The Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa allows eligible parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia for a temporary period of up to 3 or 5 years. This visa is sponsored by the child, who must meet specific criteria to provide financial support during the parent’s stay.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• The sponsoring child must be at least 18 years old.
• The sponsor must meet the income requirement, demonstrating a minimum annual income threshold.
• The parent must meet health and character requirements.
• The visa can be applied for either from outside Australia or while in Australia.

The Contributory Parent Visas allow parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently or on a temporary basis, depending on the specific subclass. This visa category requires a significantly higher financial contribution than other parent visas, which helps reduce the waiting time for application processing.

Visa Subclass 143 and 864 allow the applicant to move or stay in Australia as a permanent resident, while the Subclass 173 and 884 visas are Temporary, and allow the applicant to stay in Australia for 2 years. 

Eligibility requirements: Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143, 173)

• Be the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Meet the balance of family test, meaning at least half of the children must reside in Australia as citizens or permanent residents, or more children live in Australia than in any other country.
• Fulfill health and character requirements.
• Not have a recently cancelled visa or a visa that has been refused.

Eligibility requirements: Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864, 884)

• Be the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Must be old enough to receive the Age Pension in Australia (currently 66 years old).
• Meet the balance of family test.
• Fulfill health and character requirements.
• Not have a recently cancelled or refused visa.