Sponsored Family Visa Australia
Why Choose our Family Visa Lawyers
Can A Family Member Sponsor You In Australia?
If you’re wondering, can my family sponsor me to migrate to Australia? The answer is yes, under specific visa family sponsorship conditions governed by the Australian Government.
There are various types of family-sponsored visa options available for eligible relatives, each with its own requirements and pathways. Read on to learn how to be a successful applicant.
What is Visa Family Sponsorship?
Family-sponsored visas for Australia enable eligible family members to live, work, or study in Australia. Eligible sponsors can include:
- Australian citizens or permanent residents
- Eligible New Zealand citizens
- Returning Australian citizen bringing overseas-born family members
Expert Family Visa Lawyers and Migration Agents
Our experienced family visa lawyers and migration agents can advise on the specific eligibility and application requirements, with a 99% success rate with all visa categories, including:
- Partner visas >
- De facto visas >
- Temporary parent visa
- Permanent parent visa
- Dependent child visas
- Options for adoptive family members
Eligibility Criteria for Family Sponsored Visas
To sponsor an eligible family member to live in Australia, first, you need to be either an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The eligibility criteria can change depending on the type of family visa you are seeking, but generally sponsors must:
- Be at least 18 years old and must be either a settled Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.
- Have lived in Australia for a reasonable period. Also, provide a stable environment for your family member.
- Show they can financially support the sponsored family member so they don’t put a financial burden on the Australian community.
For some visa subclasses, like parent visas or remaining relative visas, the Australian government may ask for proof of support or a security bond as part of the application process. This promise is a legal commitment to provide financial assistance to the visa applicant, so they don’t need to rely on social security for financial support.
(The Department of Home Affairs advises that visitor visa holders should be aware that there are new laws that impact transition to the student visa program.)
Financial, Character and Health Requirements
The family member who is being sponsored must meet Australia’s health, character and financial requirements. They will have to have medical exams and provide essential documents such as police checks to make sure you meet the Department of Home Affairs’ standards, which means the following:
- If they have lived in a country for at least 12 months in the past ten years (since turning 16), they must provide a police certificate from that country.
- Not have a substantial criminal record.
- Meet the minimum health standards (not be a threat to public health).
- They must also show a genuine intention to live in Australia and follow all the visa conditions.
Other Family Members
Some visa types, such as the Remaining Relative Visa or the Carer Visa, may allow you to sponsor other family members, including brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, or dependent relatives. But these visas usually come with more rules and restrictions.
Note: Not all family connections can be used to get sponsorship. The Australian government also has strict rules in place to protect the integrity of the migration program.
Advice from Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents
You can get more information from the Department of Home Affairs website or talk to a family visa lawyer or registered migration agent. They can help you find the best visa options that meet the health and character requirements.
Australian Family Visa Application – Check It Service
Before spending thousands on a sponsored family visa application, ensure you have a strong chance of success. For $770 AUD, a skilled family visa lawyer will assess your eligibility, evidence and identify any risk factors.
- Ask about our options for all budgets (including our $770 Check It service)
- We have clear and transparent fee structures, with no hidden costs.
- Pay only for the support you need, from checking evidence to a fully managed visa process.
Family Reunion Visas
Australian family sponsored visas are grouped into several categories depending on the the type of family member, including:
- Partner or spouse
- Parents
- Dependent children
- Other family member visas enable siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents to immigrate to Australia under specific conditions.
There are several potential pathways with each having a specific visa subclass depending on whether the relative is already living in Australia or another country.
- Family visas include options for partner visas, permanent partner visas, and prospective marriage visas, each with specific eligibility criteria.
- Sponsored family members under these visas can often access education, Medicare, work in Australia, and pursue permanent residency.
Sponsored Family Visa Options
If your goal is to live in Australia for the long term with your partner, parent, or child, the following options may be available to you:
Partner Category Visa
- An Australia partner visa allows spouses, de facto partners, and those in a de facto relationship to live and work in Australia.
- The applicant is required to demonstrate that the couple has a genuine and continuing relationship.
- Permanent partner visas are available for those who meet long-term relationship requirements.
Parent Visa
- To apply for a parent visa, the applicant must have an eligible child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The applicant must meet the balance-of-family test, which means at least half of their children live in Australia (or they have more children in Australia than in another country)
Contributory parent visas often have shorter processing times and a higher security bond. There are also temporary/permanent visas available, which have different requirements and processing periods. The common types include:
- Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary or Permanent)
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Temporary)
- Aged parent visa
Dependent Child Visa
A child visa is designed for children under 18 years who are natural, adopted, or orphaned relatives of an Australian citizen or permanent resident who are currently living outside Australia.
You may be eligible to bring your children to Australia when you are an eligible parent or step-parent and are an Australian permanent resident or citizen. In this case, the child must be either
- Younger than 18
- Studying full-time if over 18
- Under 25 and financially dependent on the parent
- Over 18 and living with a disability which makes it impossible for them to work
Aged Dependent Relative Visa
An age-dependent relative visa is available for older family members who rely on their sponsor for support.
Adoption Visa
The adoption visa is a pathway for adopted children of an eligible sponsor. The Adoption Visa (Subclass 102) allows a child who was adopted in another country to migrate to Australia with their adoptive parent. It is a permanent visa subclass and can include all types of adoptive relatives.
Carer Visa
Subclass 116 Carer Visa allows applicants to move to Australia to care for someone with a long-term medical condition.
Remaining Relative Visa
The subclass 115 Remaining Relative Visa is for migrants whose only close relatives are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Temporary Skilled Work Regional Visa
Skilled work regional visas can allow you to bring family members to Australia on a temporary basis, and some visa holders can have work rights. Depending on the visa status and specific circumstances, they could also:
- Have access to essential services
- Be eligible for benefits and pathways to permanent residency depends on your visa status
- The Skilled Work Regional Visa subclass 491 requires the applicant or sponsor to live, work, or study in a designated regional area to meet eligibility requirements.
- You must have a close family member already living in a designated area who will sponsor you.
- Some visas provide a pathway from a temporary visa to a permanent residence visa, allowing you to settle in Australia permanently.
- Sponsors for these visas are required to provide supporting documents and demonstrate financial capacity, with requirements depending on the type of visa.
Visitor Visa Subclass 600 – Tourist Stream
For temporary visits to family in Australia, the Visitor Visa subclass 600 includes a sponsored family stream.
- The Visitor Visa Subclass 600 allows people to visit Australia for tourism, to visit family or friends, cruise or for a holiday, study or training.
- The sponsored family stream is one of several visa streams available under subclass 600, and each has its own requirements for who can apply.
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident who is an eligible relative must sponsor this visa pathway, which lets eligible relatives stay for up to 12 months, with either a single entry or multiple entries.
- In certain circumstances, a local government mayor or a sitting Member of Parliament can also sponsor a visitor visa application.
- The sponsor and the visitor must both comply with the visa rules, which include leaving Australia before the visa expires and maintaining health insurance.
- The applicant must provide evidence of their intention to return home, such as having immediate family members in their home country.
New Zealand Citizens: Special Considerations
Subclass 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa allows family members of New Zealand citizens to live and work in Australia for five years.
An eligible New Zealand citizen (who has been in Australia since 26 February 2001) may be able to sponsor your family members—including partners, parents, and children—for a permanent residence visa under the Australian family visa program.
The Australian government recognises eligible New Zealand citizens as sponsors for a range of family visas when they meet specific requirements, including:
- Parent visas
- Partner visas
- Child visas
- Sponsors must be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is usually resident in Australia.
- Prove that Australia is your home and that you have a stable environment for your family members.
- Although New Zealand citizens have many of the same rights as Australian citizens and permanent residents for family sponsorship, there are some differences in eligibility and documentation.
How to Apply for Family Sponsorship to Australia
To apply for a family-sponsored visa in Australia, you need to follow a few important steps.
- Figure out which family visa is best for you. It could be a partner visa, a parent visa, or another type of family visa. Keep in mind that each type of visa has its own requirements for who can get one and what proof they need.
- Get proof of your relationship that meets all the requirements, including health and character requirements and police checks.
- For example, a partner visa needs evidence of your relationship, such as marriage certificates or proof of a de facto relationship.
- A parent visa usually needs an Assurance of Support (AOS) to show that the person applying for the visa has financial backing from the sponsor.
Sponsorship Responsibilities and Obligations
Australian visa sponsors must be:
- At least 18 years old
- Prove they have enough money to support their family members
They must make sure that their visitors follow the rules of their visa and Australian law. If you fail your sponsorship obligations, the visa can be cancelled.
Processing Times for Family Sponsored Visas
In Australia, the processing times for family sponsored visas varies significantly depending on:
- The visa subclass
- The complexity of the case
- The quality of the evidence
- The workload of the Department of Home Affairs
But in general, processing times for a Family Sponsored Visa range from 3 to 6 months. You can speed up the process by making sure you have an honest, accurate and complete application including:
- Birth certificates
- Proof of relationship
- Financial support evidence
Given the complexity of the family sponsorship process, many people get advice from experienced immigration lawyers, who can significantly increase their chance of a successful outcome.
How Much Does a Family Visa Cost?
The cost of a Family Sponsored Visa application can vary greatly depending on the specific visa subclass being applied for, but here are some of them.
| Visa Type | 1st Applicant | Extra Applicants |
|---|---|---|
|
NZ Citizen Temporary Visa Subclass 461 |
$445 |
18+ yo: $225 < 18 yo: $110 |
|
Child Visa Subclass 101/802 |
$3,235 |
18+yo: $1,615 < 18 yo: $810 |
|
Adoption Visa Subclass 102 |
$3,055 |
18+yo: $1,615 < 18 yo: $810 |
|
Carer Visa Subclass 116/836 |
$4,240 |
18+yo: $3,115 < 18 yo: $2,610 |
|
Remaining Relative Visa Subclass 115 |
$7,345 |
18+yo: $4,705 < 18 yo: $3,390 |
|
Aged Dependent Relative Visa 114/838 |
$7,345 |
18+yo: $4,705 < 18 yo: $3,390 |
What are the Benefits of Family Sponsorship in Australia?
Once approved, family sponsorship has many benefits for both the sponsor and the family members who are sponsored.
- You can live in Australia and see your loved ones again.
- You can also get health care and an education
- You might be able to work in Australia.
Family sponsorship can also help you get permanent residency, which can then help you get Australian citizenship. These two give you long-term security and the chance to fully participate in Australian society.
When you sponsor a family member, you not only help them start a new life in Australia, but you also make your own support system stronger.
How Our Family Visa Immigration Lawyers Help
Are you unsure of where to start? Our family visa lawyers are here to help. Getting a sponsored visa for Australia can be a daunting and confusing process, but our experienced team can help you achieve Australian citizenship. Call Now (07) 3166 9100
- Get peace of mind with our 99.6% Success Rate
- We have options—including our $770 Check It service—to suit almost every budget
- We remove risk, stress, and uncertainty
- We have a clear and transparent fee structure
- We have in-depth experience with character, health, and LGBTQI visas
- We tailor each visa application to your individual circumstances
- Our single goal is to get you that YES
Family Sponsored Visa Australia FAQs
Can family members work in Australia with a family-sponsored visa?
Yes, family members are permitted to work in Australia with specific family-sponsored visas, depending on the subclass and its restrictions, and with the appropriate travel documents.
How long does it take to get a family-sponsored visa for Australia?
The processing times for Australian family-sponsored visas differ greatly depending on the visa subclass. For example, visitor visas can take several weeks, whereas child visas and permanent partner visas could take more than one year to process.
What are the requirements to sponsor someone in Australia?
Sponsorship requirements for Australian visas changed depending on the type of person getting sponsored. For example, people sponsoring an eligible family member must be over 18 years old and either an Australian citizen or permanent resident with the financial resources to support the sponsored person.
They also need to have comprehensive evidence that proves they have a genuine relationship.
Which family members can I sponsor?
For Australian visas, sponsored family members can include:
- Parents
- Children
- Grandparents
- Grandchildren
- Aunts and Uncles
- Nephews and Nieces
- Adopted and step-children
Can a friend sponsor me for Australian PR?
Sadly, a friend is not considered a valid sponsor to become an Australian permanent resident.
Can step-siblings sponsor a family visa to Australia?
Step-siblings can sponsor eligible relatives to enter Australia initially on a temporary visa, which could later change to a permanent type of visa.
What is the age limit for eligible relatives in a sponsored family stream?
The age limits for the sponsored family stream vary depending on the visa subclass, with some having an age limit and others having none.