Australia’s Family Visa Class
For people with family in Australia

The Family Class visa is designed specifically for individuals with close family members living in Australia. This applies to first-degree relatives such as partners, parents, and children. It’s important that these family members are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

If you have other family members in Australia who don’t fall into the categories above, you may want to explore the ‘Skilled Worker Category’ for additional options.

Sub categories Family visa class

A partner who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident

If you’re in a relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the Partner Visa category offers great options for you. This category is divided into two subclasses:

Partner visa

If you are married to your partner or if you can prove you’re in a de-facto relationship, this visa is designed for you. Typically, you’ll first receive a temporary visa for two years. After these two years, if you and your partner are still together, you can apply for the permanent partner visa.

For couples who have been together for three years (whether in a de-facto relationship or married), a permanent visa could be granted immediately. This also applies to couples with children who can demonstrate that their relationship has been ongoing for at least two years prior to applying.

If you’re unable to meet these specific requirements but plan to marry your partner, there may still be options available in the visa subclass below.

Prospective Marriage visa

This visa is perfect for couples who are committed to building a future together in Australia, even if they haven’t yet met all the requirements for a partner visa. If you’re planning to marry, you’ll be granted a nine-month visa. During this time, you’ll need to legally marry your partner. Once your marriage is registered, you can apply for a two-year visa, and after this period, you’ll be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Child(ren) residing in Australia

If you have children living in Australia, you may be eligible for a Parent Visa. To qualify, at least half of your children must reside in Australia, and at least one must provide financial support, ensuring you won’t need to rely on Australia’s social services.

While the processing times for the regular Parent Visa can be long (up to 30 years), there is now an additional option available to help streamline the process and offer a faster path.

Contributory Parent visa

To speed up the process and minimize long waiting times, you have the option to make an additional payment. This involves a two-phase visa process: first, you apply for a temporary visa, followed by a permanent visa application. While the overall cost is higher, the significant reduction in processing times makes this an excellent choice for those eager to reunite with their family sooner.

Parent(s) residing in Australia

If you’re under 24 years old and your parent(s) are Australian citizens or permanent residents, this visa could be an ideal opportunity for you. For applicants over 18, you’ll simply need to show that you are a student and financially dependent on your parent(s).