EMC Australia / Family visas
Bring family to Australia — parents, children and relatives
Family visas are for when the family is split across countries — a parent, a child, someone who needs care, or an eligible relative. They are slow, document-heavy, and easy to start on the wrong visa. Partner visas are different; they have their own page.
Family visas are for when the family is split across countries — a parent, a child, someone who needs care, or an eligible relative. They are slow, document-heavy, and easy to start on the wrong visa. Partner visas are different; they have their own page.
This is for you if
Who this page is for
- You want your parent to live in Australia, permanently or for a long stay
- You need to sponsor a child, including an adopted or dependent child
- You are comparing a higher-cost “contributory” parent visa with the long non-contributory queues
- You need a carer, remaining relative, aged dependent relative, or NZ family visa
- A family visa was refused
The visas
Which visa this page is about
Each visa has a number, called a subclass, so you can match a letter from the Department. You do not need that number to talk to us.
Apply from outside Australia
Parent visa
Your parent, applying from overseas, with a child who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident.
The lower-cost parent visa. The wait is long — often many years. You usually need to show that at least half of the parent’s children live in Australia (the balance-of-family test), and someone must give an assurance of support (a financial undertaking). This is the wrong visa if you need a parent here in the next year.
Read this visa pageApply in Australia
Aged Parent visa
An aged parent already in Australia who meets the in-Australia rules.
Still a long wait. You need to understand how they stay lawful while it is decided before you apply.
Read this visa pageApply in or from outside Australia
Contributory Parent visa
Families who can pay the higher visa charge for a faster permanent parent visa.
“Contributory” means a much higher visa charge in return for a shorter queue. It is often paired with the temporary 173 if you need to split the cost. Health checks and the assurance of support are central, not optional extras.
Read this visa pageApply in or from outside Australia
Contributory Parent (temporary)
A temporary first stage, usually leading to a 143.
Used when the family wants the contributory path in two payments. The conditions on the 173 matter if the parent needs to travel or wait in Australia.
Read this visa pageApply in Australia
Contributory Aged Parent visa
An aged parent already in Australia, contributory permanent visa.
The in-Australia aged version of the 143.
Read this visa pageApply in Australia
Contributory Aged Parent (temporary)
The temporary two-step version for an aged parent already in Australia, usually leading to a 864.
Same idea as 173 then 143. Health, assurance of support and the later 864 still have to be planned at the start.
Read this visa pageApply in or from outside Australia
Sponsored Parent (temporary)
A parent visiting for a longer stay than a visitor visa, under a sponsored arrangement — not permanent residence.
This is not a permanent parent visa. It is a temporary stay with a sponsor. Useful when the permanent queues do not match the family’s need. There are limits on how often it can be used.
Read this visa pageApply from outside Australia
Child visa
A dependent child of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, applying from overseas.
Same kind of visa as the in-Australia 802. Consent from the other parent, custody papers and identity are what the Department looks at.
Read this visa pageApply in Australia
Child visa
A dependent child already in Australia.
You need to understand how the child stays lawful while it is decided. This is not a partner visa for a child.
Read this visa pageApply from outside Australia
Adoption visa
A child adopted, or being adopted, by an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Adoption papers, the other country’s process, and Australia’s requirements all have to line up. This is not a 101 with an adoption certificate attached.
Read this visa pageApply in or from outside Australia
Dependent Child visa
Usually a child of a partner-visa applicant who was not included in the original partner application.
A different visa from 101/802. Timing against the parent’s partner visa matters.
Read this visa page117 from overseas · 837 in Australia
Orphan Relative visa
A child whose parents are dead, permanently unable to care for them, or of unknown whereabouts, sponsored by a relative in Australia.
Evidence of the parents’ situation is the centre of the application, not only the sponsor’s status.
Read this visa page114 · 115 · 116 · 835 · 836 · 838
In Australia or from overseas, depending on the visa
Carer and relative visas
Remaining relative, carer, or aged dependent relative — not a partner and not a parent or child visa.
Each has a different test: usually no close family outside Australia, or a need for care that cannot reasonably be provided here. Queues are long. The wrong relative visa is a wasted year.
Read this visa pageApply in or from outside Australia
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa
A family member of a New Zealand citizen in Australia who cannot use a Special Category visa themselves.
This is not a partner 820 and not a 444. It is a temporary visa tied to the New Zealand citizen’s status in Australia. If the real path is a partner visa, we will say so.
Read this visa page
How EMC works
How we help
01
We compare the real options
A visitor visa, an 870, a contributory parent visa, or the long non-contributory queue. Cost, health, and years of waiting are the conversation — not a slogan.
02
Who can sponsor, and who signs the financial undertaking
Who is eligible to sponsor, who gives the assurance of support, and whether the income evidence will hold. Applications fail here more often than on the birth certificate.
03
Children’s matters, carefully
Consent, custody, adoption papers and identity. A missing court order delays a child visa more than a missing photo.
First conversation
What to bring
- Your citizenship or permanent visa, and how long you have lived in Australia
- The parent’s or child’s passport, birth records, and any previous Australian visas
- For parents: health history, and who will give the assurance of support
- For children: the other parent’s consent or court orders, and proof they are still dependent
- Any refusal
Before you apply
Things that go wrong
- Health rules are strict for parent visas. A medical issue should be discussed before you pay the contributory charge.
- The 870 is temporary. It does not become a 143 by itself.
- The balance-of-family test can rule out a parent visa even when everyone wants the parent here.
- Child visas need lawful consent. Do not apply while custody is disputed without advice.
Questions
People ask this first
Often, for a short stay. If the pattern is repeated long stays, or the parent wants to live here, a visitor visa is the wrong tool. An 870 or a parent visa may be the honest path.
Start with your situation.
You do not need the visa number. Book a consultation, or send a short note.MARN 1800335 · Level 14, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Other work
This page is general information, not advice about your circumstances. Australian migration law changes. You should consult a Registered Migration Agent before you apply. EMC Australia is OMARA-registered (MARN 1800335).