Family Visas
The Family Migration program enables Australian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members for permanent residency in Australia. This visa pathway helps families reunite and live together.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may qualify to sponsor your partner, parents, or children for one of the following family visas:
Australia’s Family Visa program is built on one simple goal — keeping families together.
Grounded in compassion and connection, this pathway allows partners, parents, and children of Australian citizens or permanent residents to join their loved ones in Australia, whether temporarily or permanently.
The process can be complex, but the outcome is deeply rewarding — the chance to build a life in Australia with the people who matter most.
Core Family Visa Streams
| Visa Category | Key Feature | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Partner & Prospective Marriage Visas | 2 stage process: Temporary then Permanent to ensure genuineness of the relationship. Subclasses: 309/100 (Offshore) and 820/801 (Onshore). | For spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible NZ citizens to live in Australia. |
| Parent Visas | 2 pathways: Contributory (faster) or Non-Contributory (lower cost) options. | For parents of settled Australians to reunite with their children. |
| Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa | A long-term temporary visa (subclass 870) 3–5 years stay, without the long queues of the permanent options. | For parents to visit children in Australia without migrating permanently. |
| Child Visas | A permanent visa for dependent children. Key subclasses: 101 (Offshore) and 802 (Onshore). | For dependent children of citizens or permanent residents to live with their parents in Australia. |
Who Can Sponsor Family to Australia?
To be eligible to sponsor a relative for a Partner, Parent, or Child visa, you must generally be:
Sponsors must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs and agree to meet all legal obligations to support the applicant after arrival in Australia.
Including Family in Other Visa Applications
Family migration isn’t always limited to family visas alone. Many permanent and temporary visas allow for family members to be included as dependents, giving families the opportunity to move together.
For example, a primary applicant for one of the following visas can typically include their family in the application:
- Skilled Visas: Subclasses 189, 190, and 491
- Employer Sponsored Visas: Subclasses 482 and 186
- Student Visas: Subclass 500
- Other Visas: Dependent family visas associated with primary applications
In these cases, family members can accompany the main applicant and enjoy the same rights to live, work, and study in Australia.
Let Us Guide Your Family’s Journey
At Hays Migration, we know that reuniting your family in Australia is more than just an application — it’s about building a future together.
Whether you’re sponsoring a partner, parent, or child, our team will work with you to plan the most effective visa strategy for your situation.
Our MARA-registered agents and migration lawyers specialise in family migration pathways, ensuring every application is prepared carefully and accurately. From Partner and Parent visas to Child visas and temporary sponsored family programs, we make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Let us help you bring your loved ones closer.
