Moving to Australia can be an exciting opportunity, but for many migrants, building a new life also means wanting their parents and other close family members nearby. Fortunately, Australia has several family and partner visa pathways that allow eligible citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members.
If you’re researching how to migrate to australia with family, understanding which visa applies to your circumstances is the first step. The right option depends on who you want to bring, your relationship with them, their circumstances and whether you are prepared to meet the relevant sponsorship and visa requirements.
Who Can You Bring to Australia?
Australia’s family migration program covers several types of relationships, although each visa has its own eligibility requirements.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to sponsor:
- Your spouse or de facto partner
- Dependent children
- Parents
- Certain other eligible relatives
Family migration is not a single visa category. Different family members generally require different visa applications, so it is important to identify the correct pathway before preparing your documents.
How Can You Bring Your Parents to Australia?
Parent migration can be more complex than bringing a partner or dependent child. Australia has several parent visa options, including temporary and permanent pathways.
For example, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) allows eligible parents to stay in Australia temporarily when sponsored by an eligible sponsor.
There are also permanent parent visa pathways, including the Contributory Parent visas, which generally involve higher costs but may provide a faster processing pathway than some other parent visa categories.
Parent visa eligibility can involve requirements such as:
- Having an eligible child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Meeting the relevant balance-of-family requirement, where applicable
- Meeting health and character requirements
- Having an approved sponsor
- Meeting financial and other visa-specific requirements
Because parent visa rules and processing arrangements can be complex, it is important to check the requirements that apply to your specific situation.
What Is the Balance-of-Family Test?
The balance-of-family test is an important requirement for several permanent parent visa pathways.
Generally, a parent must have either at least half of their children living permanently in Australia or more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
Not every parent visa has the same requirements, so you should check the specific visa subclass before assuming that you qualify.
How Can You Bring Your Partner to Australia?
If your spouse or de facto partner is outside Australia, you may be able to explore an offshore partner visa pathway. The Partner visa process can ultimately provide a pathway to permanent residence for eligible partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
If your partner is already in Australia, an onshore partner visa pathway may be available depending on their circumstances and current visa conditions.
Applicants generally need to provide evidence demonstrating that their relationship is genuine and continuing. This can include evidence of shared finances, living arrangements, social activities and the history of the relationship.
Can You Bring Your Children to Australia?
Eligible Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens may be able to sponsor dependent children through the relevant child visa pathways.
The appropriate visa depends on factors such as the child’s age, dependency and whether the child is already in Australia or applying from overseas.
Parents should carefully review the eligibility requirements and prepare documents that establish the child’s identity, relationship to the sponsor and personal circumstances.
What Documents Will Your Family Need?
Preparing documents early can make the application process more organised and help avoid unnecessary delays.
Depending on the visa, you may need documents such as:
- Valid passports
- Birth certificates
- Marriage or relationship documents
- Evidence of family relationships
- Proof of sponsorship
- Police certificates
- Health examination results
- Financial evidence
- Evidence supporting dependency, where relevant
Additional documents may be requested depending on the visa and your family’s individual circumstances.
How Long Does Family Migration Take?
Processing times vary considerably depending on the visa category, the number of applications being processed and the complexity of the case.
Some family visa categories can involve lengthy processing periods, particularly certain parent visa pathways. Temporary options may provide an alternative for families who want their parents to spend extended periods in Australia while considering longer-term arrangements.
Because processing times can change, it is best to check the latest information for the specific visa you are considering rather than relying on a general timeframe.
What Should You Consider Before Sponsoring Family?
Bringing family members to Australia is a significant commitment. Before starting an application, consider both the visa requirements and the practical realities of supporting your family after they arrive.
Think about:
- Whether you meet the sponsorship requirements
- The visa costs and associated expenses
- Healthcare and insurance arrangements
- Accommodation
- Financial support
- Schooling for children
- Long-term residency plans
- How long the visa process may take
Planning these areas in advance can make the transition easier for everyone involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my parents to Australia permanently?
Yes, Australia has permanent parent visa pathways for eligible applicants. However, these visas have specific eligibility requirements and can involve significant processing times and costs.
Can I bring my parents temporarily?
Yes. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) provides an option for eligible parents to visit and stay in Australia for an extended period, subject to the visa requirements.
Can I bring my spouse and children to Australia?
Eligible Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens may be able to sponsor their spouse, de facto partner and dependent children through the relevant family visa pathways.
Can I bring my parents to Australia permanently?
Yes, Australia has permanent parent visa pathways for eligible applicants. However, these visas have specific eligibility requirements and can involve significant processing times and costs.
Can I bring my parents temporarily?
Yes. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) provides an option for eligible parents to visit and stay in Australia for an extended period, subject to the visa requirements.
Can my parents work in Australia on a parent visa?
Whether a parent can work depends on the specific visa and its conditions. Always check the work rights attached to the visa before making plans based on employment.
If you’re planning how to migrate to australia with family, IMM Consults can help you understand the available family and partner visa pathways, assess your circumstances and guide you through the application process from start to finish.
