Family Visas

Partner Visas

Partner visas allow Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their spouse or de facto partner for residence in Australia. There are two permanent pathways, each following a temporary-to-permanent structure.

The onshore pathway (820/801) is for partners already in Australia, while the offshore pathway (309/100) is for those applying from overseas. Both follow the same process: a temporary visa is granted first, with permanent residence following after a mandatory two-year waiting period. For engaged couples not yet married, the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) allows a fiancé(e) to travel to Australia and marry within nine months, after which a partner visa must be applied for separately.

All partner visa applications require substantial evidence of a genuine, ongoing relationship assessed across financial, social, household, and commitment criteria.

Parent Visas

Australia offers both temporary and permanent options for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

The permanent pathways come in two tracks. The Contributory Parent Visa (143/864) carries higher government fees — often exceeding AUD $50,000 — but offers a comparatively faster wait of around six to eight years. The Non-Contributory Parent Visa (103/804) has much lower fees but queues stretching to 30 years or more, making it impractical for most families. Both require applicants to pass the balance of family test. An Aged Parent variant is available for those over 67 who are already in Australia, allowing them to remain on a bridging visa while waiting.

For families who need a quicker solution, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) allows parents to live in Australia for up to three or five years at a time, with a maximum cumulative stay of 10 years. It does not require the balance of family test and processes in around eight months. However, it carries no work rights, requires mandatory private health insurance, and does not lead to permanent residency. Importantly, applying for the 870 can close off the permanent parent visa pathway, so professional advice is strongly recommended before lodging.

Child Visas (Subclass 101 & 802)

Child visas grant permanent residency to dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. The Subclass 101 is for children applying from outside Australia, while the Subclass 802 is for those already onshore.

Eligibility extends to biological, adopted, and stepchildren. Children must generally be under 18, though those aged 18–24 may still qualify if they are financially dependent on the sponsoring parent and studying full-time. Children must be unmarried and meet standard health and character requirements. Where one biological parent is not migrating, parental consent or a court order will typically be required.

Unlike partner and parent visas, child visas are granted directly as permanent visas with no temporary stage. The current application fee is approximately AUD $3,235, with processing times of around 13 to 21 months.