Australian immigration department in an effort to bring family members together have introduced family visa in Australia. This entitles partners, parents, children and other family members to migrate to this country subject to certain pre-conditions. These visas are essentially sponsored by Australian citizens, permanent residents of this country, and eligible New Zealand citizens. Are you thinking of bringing your siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, or other relatives to Australia? As an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your relatives to come to Australia. In this article, we will go through the different visa options

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tips to get your visa application right the first time​

We are currently processing a high number of visa applications.

Your visa application can take longer if it contains incorrect information or documents are missing. It may even be refused.

There are things you can do to make sure that when you submit your visa application it is ‘decision ready’. This will help us process your application faster.

When preparing your application for a visa to Australia, remember to:

• Provide all the required information and documents
• Allow plenty of time to collect the necessary documents and information. It can take longer than you expect to get copies of official documents such as birth and marriage certificates, police checks, medical reports and translations of documents
• Double check you have included everything and all information is correct before you submit your application
• Make sure your name is spelt as it appears in your passport, including your middle name, and that it has not been auto-corrected by your device
• Check you have entered your date of birth in dd/mm/yy format
• Submit your application well ahead of when you want to travel. We suggest you book your flight after your visa has been granted.

Submit one application for the visa type you want

• Submitting multiple visa applications for the same type of visa can slow the decision process.

• For visitor visas, submit one application per person, including children.

• For student visas, dependents can be included in their parent or guardian’s application.​​​

Overview of Family Sponsored Visas

Depending on the circumstances, below are some common visas to bring a family member over to Australia:

Family Visas

Subclass 600 – Visitor Visa

Subclass 600 Visitor Visa – Sponsored Family Stream is suitable if you plan to invite your relatives to visit Australia for up to 12 months. With this visa, the family member can visit family or friends, travel around Australia, and study for up to 3 months in total on this visa. It is crucial to note that the applicant cannot work on this visa. This visa is perfect for applicants who want to stay in Australia temporarily.

To sponsor a relative to Australia, you must be a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident. You must also be at least 18 years old. As a sponsor, you must also have the ability to pay a security bond if asked by the Department. The amount for the security bond is discretionary. However, if requested, it usually ranges between $5,000 – $15,000 per person.

Processing Time: 3 to 6 months

Costs: $145

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Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Family Sponsored

The subclass 491 visa was introduced last year. It enables eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for five years. Visa holders will be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence visa after three years. Applicants must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.

The sponsor must be:

    18 years old or older

    usually resident in a designated area of Australia

    be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen

    be your or your partner’s eligible relative

An eligible relative can be:

    a parent

    a child or step-child

    a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister

    an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle

    a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece

    a grandparent, or

    a first cousin

The subclass 491 visa is point tested. The applicant must have at least 65 points to express his/her interest to apply however it is highly competitive and you may need around 90 to 100 points to receive an invitation to apply. The other requirements include:

    Be sponsored or nominated.

    Be under 45 years old.

    Have a positive skills assessment.

    Have at least competent English.

    Under the family Sponsored stream, the applicant’s occupation must be on the MLTSSL list.

    Pass health and character requirement.

Cost: $4,045

Processing times: Currently delayed due to COVID-19. But it is generally 3-6 months.

Subclass 115 / Subclass 835 Remaining Relative Visa

Subclass 115/ Subclass 835 is the remaining relative visa. Subclass 115 is for applicants who are overseas while subclass 835 is for applicants who are in Australia when applying for the visa. The remaining relative visa is a permanent visa that allows the applicant to move to Australia to be with their only close relative.

The eligibility requirements are:

    You must have a sponsor – The applicant must be sponsored by an eligible parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling, or an eligible partner of your relative.

    You must have no other near relatives – Near relatives is defined as:

        parent or step-parent

        partner’s parent or step-parent

        sibling or step-sibling

        child or stepchild who is 18 or older and not dependent on you

        child or stepchild who is under 18 and not in your or your partner’s daily care and control

    You must have assurance of support – This is to make sure that the applicant will not have to rely on government assistance.

    You must meet health and character requirements.

With this visa, the applicant can stay, work and study in Australia indefinitely.

Costs: $6,415

Processing times: There are a limited number of remaining relative visa granted each year. As such, the waiting time can be more than ten years.

Subclass 116 / Subclass 836 Carer Visa

Carer visa is also a permanent visa. It allows the applicant to move to Australia to care for someone with a long-term medical condition. To be eligible:

    You must be a carer. You intend to provide ongoing substantial care and support for the sponsoring relative or the family member.

    Have a sponsor.

        The sponsor must be the applicant’s relative.

        As a sponsor, you must agree to provide housing and financial support for the first two years the applicant lives in Australia.

        You must be medically assessed as someone who requires ongoing medical care.

        You do not have reasonable access to care options in Australia. That is, you cannot get adequate care from another relative or from an Australian welfare, hospital or community service.

    The applicant must meet health and character requirement.

Costs: $3,860

Processing times: Currently unavailable.

Returning Australian bring overseas-born family

If your parents are an Australian citizen at the time of your birth. You could apply for citizenship by descent. Once you receive the citizenship, you can apply for an Australian passport.

Costs: $230

Processing times: 4-7 months