Since Australia has become quite popular for both employment and business visa categories, it is important to realise that there are opportunities to bring one’s family with them as well while they are taking advantage of these employment opportunities. The philosophy here is that the Australian government aims to make the process streamlined for their families to join them in benefiting the Australian economy. Consider the various paths to bringing family members with you whilst you are deciding to reside in Australia, whether it is temporary or permanent.
What is important to understand about these visas is that many of them are geared towards an individual who has achieved permanent residency in Australia. Specifically, those who are either Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or certain eligible New Zealand citizens have the potential to bring their families to Australia legally. Ideally, the investigative process about successfully bringing your family to Australia should begin on the Australian government’s immigration site.
Who Is Eligible for a Family Member Visa?
Partner Visa Options:
The Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. This visa is divided into two stages:
- Temporary Partner visa (subclass 820): This visa allows the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily. Getting this visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclass 801). The stay duration is temporary until your permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) application is finalised or you withdraw your application. The cost starts from AUD 8,085 for most applicants. From AUD 1,350 for Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) holders.
- Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801): This visa allows the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently. It is usually only for people who currently hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820). The stay duration is permanent. The cost for this visa is included in the combined application for the temporary and permanent partner visas.
Adoption visa (Subclass 102):
The Adoption visa (subclass 102) is a type of visa that allows children adopted outside Australia to live in Australia with their adoptive parent.
This visa provides the adopted child with permanent residency in Australia, allowing them to live with their adoptive parent, study, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
To be eligible for this visa, the child must have been under 18 years of age when adopted when they apply and when the visa decision is made. The child must also be outside Australia when the application is submitted and be adopted or adopted by their sponsor parent.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103):
The Parent visa (subclass 103) allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to Australia permanently.
This visa provides the parent with permanent residency in Australia, allowing them to live, work, study, and sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
To be eligible for this visa, the parent must have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The parent must meet all applicable visa conditions and follow Australian law.
Carer Visa (Subclass 116):
The Subclass 116 Carer visa is a permanent visa for individuals who want to move to Australia to care for someone with a long-term medical condition who has no reasonable access to care options in Australia. The visa costs AUD 1,880 and may take at least 7 years to process. With this visa, you can live in Australia as a permanent resident, work and study there, and travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
Applicants must be outside Australia during the application process, be sponsored by a relative or their partner for the first 2 years in Australia, and provide care for a relative or a member of their family who lives with them and has no reasonable access to care options in Australia.
Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 117):
The Subclass 117 Orphan Relative visa is intended for single children under 18 years of age who have no parent to care for them and want to live with a relative in Australia, such as when their parents are deceased, unable to provide care, or cannot be found.
This permanent visa comes with benefits such as migrating to Australia as a permanent resident, studying and accessing Medicare, and applying for Australian citizenship if eligible. The visa costs AUD 1,710 and has varying processing times, with 25% of applications processed in 30 months, 50% in 54 months, 75% in 80 months, and 90% in 113 months.
To be eligible, the child must have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident, and the child must be outside Australia during the application and decision-making process.
Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 115):
The Subclass 115 Remaining Relative visa is a permanent visa designed for individuals who want to move to Australia to be with their only close family members. The visa costs AUD 4,560 and can take at least 24 years to process.
With this visa, you can stay in Australia as a permanent resident, work, study, and enrol in Medicare. To be eligible, you must be outside Australia during the application process and decision-making, be a remaining relative of an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, and have an eligible sponsor.
Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Subclass 114):
The Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclass 114) allows a single older person who relies on a relative living in Australia for financial support to move to Australia permanently.
To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must be outside Australia when they apply for this visa and when the application is decided. They must also be sponsored by their relative or their relative’s partner.
This visa provides the holder with permanent residency in Australia, allowing them to stay in Australia permanently, sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia and apply for Australian citizenship.
Please note that processing a new Aged Dependent Relative visa application may take at least 24 years.
How to Apply with Success & Ease
Culturally speaking, it is important to understand that Australia wants you to be successful in joining its country. That being said, they do want you to follow their protocols for entry. There are more extensive processes for family visas because these visas are targeted at a more long-term stay. Be prepared for extensive documentation and interviews. In fact, if you are applying, it is best to apply for as many family members as necessary only to complete the process once. In terms of family visas, it is wise to seek legal counsel for your assistance and expedited results. Bear in mind that the carer visa is one of the more complex approval processes because the Australian government wants to ensure that they carefully admit individuals to their country that are already ill.
Concluding Remarks on the Subject
Australia is currently one of the countries for opportunity in terms of immigration. Keep this in mind when you are trying to comply with the immigration requirements in Australia to avoid problematic delays. Due to the wealth of employment opportunities in Australia, the Australian government also realizes the need for families to accompany workers, permanent residents, and citizens there to maintain a level of happiness and productivity. To this end, it is wise to do your proper research because if you do, you will find that there can and will be a place for your family members as productive members of Australian society.