Australia Family Visas

Family immigration to Australia is possible for the spouse, partner or fiancé of a person with settled status in Australia and in addition, children, parents and other relatives may qualify for permanent residency in Australia based upon their relationship to a sponsoring Australian citizen or permanent resident. In all cases permanent residency in Australia through family immigration services permits the applicant to live and work in Australia indefinitely with the opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship once the minimum residency requirements are met.

Find out whether you qualify for a new life through an Australian family visa by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area today.

Australian Spouse visas, De Facto Visas and Fiance Visas

Australian Spouse Visas

The spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or a qualifying New Zealand citizen, may sponsor their spouse to join them in Australia though a spouse visa application. In this Australian visa category, the candidate and sponsor must be legally married to one another and must intend to continue their marriage and cohabitation once in Australia. Spouse visas are issued for two years after which it must be shown that the marriage is still in existence. If the two year requirement is satisfied then the applicant may apply for a grant of permanent residency.

Australian De Facto Visas

Like marriage visas, the De Facto visa, or unmarried partner visa is granted for an initial period of two years after which, subject to the requirements of the category continuing to be fulfilled, an applicant may apply for permanent residence in Australia. De Facto visas also require a sponsor and it must be shown that the sponsor and applicant are in a "genuine, continuing de facto relationship". The relationship must have existed for at least the 12 months prior to the application and this will need to be demonstrated through documentary evidence. Your Global Visas consultant will be able to discuss the exact requirements of your Australian de facto visa application with you in an initial consultation.

Australian Prospective Marriage Visas

The Australian prospective marriage visa, or fiancé visa requires the applicant to be engaged to their sponsor. Unlike marriage visas and de facto visas, Australian fiance visas are granted for a relatively short period of nine months during which the marriage of the applicant and sponsor must take place. Fiance visas are issued for the express purpose of marrying in Australia, and provided that the marriage takes place within this period, a spouse visa will be issued to the applicant.

Australian Family Visas

Contributory Parent Visa

This Australian immigration service is based upon the ‘balance of family test’ and allows an overseas national with an equal or greater number of children living in Australia than in their country of residence to immigrate to Australia.

This category applies to both the applicant and their spouse, partner and/or dependent children and as well as having a sponsor in place, requires a financial contribution per applicant to be paid to the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA). At present the contribution is AUS $27,850 per adult and AUS $1,205 per dependent child. A ten year refundable bond of AUS $10,000 will also be required plus AUS$ 4,000 for the spouse or partner.

Last Remaining Relative Visa

The last remaining relative visa service is available only to applicants who have no close relatives in any country but Australia and applies not only to the main applicant’s family but also to that of their spouse. The applicant must be related to their sponsor as a sibling, child or stepchild and the sponsor must not have already acted on behalf of another relative in this category. In addition, the sponsor must not have entered Australia through a last remaining relative visa. This immigration route allows a family unit to immigrate to Australia as a ‘last remaining relative’ but as outlined above neither the main applicant nor his or her spouse or partner must have any close relatives outside Australia.

Australian Child Visa

Australian visas for children allow those under the age of 25 and in full time education to be sponsored by a parent who is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or a qualifying New Zealand citizen. Applicants must not be married nor must they have a common-law partner. In cases where an applicant is under the age of 18, permission must be obtained from every person who has a legal right to influence where the applicant lives.

Australian Designated Area Sponsored Visa

The Australian Designated Area Sponsored Visa can be viewed as a work visa and as a family visa for Australia since is focuses upon a candidate’s qualifications and work experience but also requires sponsorship from a family member. Applicants must have a sponsor in a designated area of Australia and will be granted a visa for living and working in Australia for an initial period of three years.

Applicants must be proficient in the English language, under the age of 45 and must nominate an occupation which is on the current Skilled Occupations List. Applicants must have been employed for at least 20 hours per week in a position which appears on the list and in addition, they must possess a tertiary qualification which is relevant and acceptable by the assessing authority for their nominated profession. In some cases, this qualification requirement may be waived for candidates with significant, relevant work experience.

Health and Character Requirements

Australian visas and immigration services place strict health and character requirements upon all those visiting or immigrating to Australia for more than 12 months. Candidates must undergo a chest x-ray carried out by one of a panel of approved doctors in Australia and will be required to provide police checks for all countries of residence in which they have lived for 12 months or more within the decade prior to their Australian visa application.

At Global Visas we specialise in Australian immigration and visa services and assist with short term visit visas through to applications for permanent residency and Australian citizenship. To take the first step towards your Australian visa today, visit the Global Visas online assessment area now.