Family Visas
Your family is our priority – with friendly support
every step of the way.
Reunite Your Family in Australia
Keeping families together is important. Whether you’re a parent hoping to join your children in Australia, or you’re looking to sponsor a child or carer, there are a range of family visa options available – each with specific eligibility requirements, processing times and financial obligations.
Parent Visas
We have a range of experience with Australian parent visas, particularly the subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa and the subclass 870 Sponsored Parent visa. We help families navigate the complexities with confidence and clarity.
There are several visas that allow you to sponsor a parent. The visas we work with include:
Parent Visa Subclass 103
Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870
Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804
Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 (perm.)
Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 173 (temp.)
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 (perm.)
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 884 (temp.)
Parent Visa Subclass 103 (non-contributory)
The subclass 103 Parent visa is a permanent residency visa for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. It is a lower-cost option than the 143 visa but has a very long processing time (often exceeding 20 years). Applicants must meet the Balance of Family test and have an eligible sponsor.
Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 - temporary
The subclass 870 visa allows parents to live in Australia temporarily for up to 3 or 5 years. It is a temporary parent visa that provides an excellent alternative for families not yet ready to commit to permanent options. Sponsors must meet specific income thresholds and be approved before the visa can be lodged. This visa is highly regulated, and we have valuable experience managing subclass 870 applications, including sponsor approvals and visa compliance.
Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 (non-contributory)
The subclass 804 visa is similar to the subclass 103 visa but is available to parents who are of Australian pension age and onshore at the time of application. It allows bridging visa access to remain in Australia during the long processing period. Applicants must meet health, character and sponsorship criteria.
Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 - permanent
The subclass 143 visa is a Contributory Parent visa is a permanent Australian visa for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. It requires a significantly higher visa application charge but offers faster processing than non-contributory options. You must be sponsored by an eligible child and meet the Balance of Family test. This visa grants permanent residency, access to Medicare and is a pathway to Australian citizenship. We have particular expertise with subclass 143 applications and offer full support from start to finish.
Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 173 - temporary
The subclass 173 visa is a temporary parent visa for parents applying from overseas. It is the first stage of a two-part process that leads to a permanent visa. It allows a two-year stay in Australia, during which time the permanent stage can be lodged. This option helps spread the overall cost of migration over time.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 884 - temporary
The subclass 884 visa is the temporary stage of a common two-step parent visa pathway. It allows parents of pension age to stay in Australia temporarily and then apply for the permanent visa. It spreads the cost of the parent migration process across two visa applications and allows applicants to remain in Australia during the process.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 - permanent
The subclass 864 visa is a permanent parent visa for parents of pension age who are applying from within Australia. It offers significantly faster processing than the subclass 804 visa but comes with a higher visa application charge. Applicants must meet the Balance of Family test and be sponsored by an eligible child.
Remaining Relative Visas
Subclass 835 – Remaining Relative Visa (Onshore)
The subclass 835 visa is for individuals who are the last remaining close family members outside of Australia. It is a permanent visa for those applying within Australia, and applicants must be sponsored by an eligible relative.
Subclass 115 – Remaining Relative Visa (Offshore)
The subclass 115 visa is the offshore equivalent of the subclass 835 visa. It is designed for people outside Australia who have no near relatives outside Australia other than those already living in Australia. Like the 835, this visa grants Australian permanent residency once granted.
Carer Visas
Subclass 836 – Carer Visa (Onshore)
The subclass 836 Carer visa allows someone already in Australia to remain permanently to care for a relative with a long-term medical condition. The relative must require ongoing care and have no reasonable access to it from other sources. This is a permanent visa with specific health, character and sponsorship requirements.
Subclass 116 – Carer Visa (Offshore)
The subclass 116 Carer visa is the offshore version of the subclass 836 and allows a person to move to Australia permanently to care for an Australian relative or their family member with a medical condition. It has strict criteria and longer processing times.
Child Visas
Subclass 101 – Child Visa (Offshore)
The subclass 101 Child visa allows a child who is outside Australia to be sponsored by their parent, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa grants Australian permanent residency and permits the child to live with their sponsoring parent in Australia permanently.
Subclass 802 – Child Visa (Onshore)
The Subclass 802 Child visa is the onshore equivalent of the Subclass 101. It allows a child who is already in Australia to apply for permanent residency while remaining in the country during processing.
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa
The subclass 461 visa allows family members of New Zealand citizens who are living in Australia on a Special Category visa (subclass 444) to stay and work in Australia temporarily for up to 5 years. This visa is a valuable option for non-New Zealand citizens who are the partner or dependent child of a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia.
This visa supports family unity for New Zealanders living in Australia and gives their non-NZ family members the opportunity to live and work in Australia long-term without needing a separate work visa.
What clients say
Let's Bring Your Family Together
Whether you’re applying for a parent visa, child visa or exploring permanent residency options in Australia, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Book a consultation today to explore the best visa pathway for your family and ensure a smoother, less stressful application process.