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Family migration
Choose by relationship first, then by where the applicant is.
Partner, parent and child visas are not interchangeable. The right starting point depends on the relationship, location, age, timing and whether the family needs a temporary reunion or permanent migration pathway.
01.Partner visas
Three routes, chosen mainly by location and relationship stage
820/801 and 309/100 are combined temporary-and-permanent applications. Subclass 300 is a temporary fiancé(e) pathway followed by a separate partner application after marriage.
820 / 801Onshore · temporary to permanent
Partner visa — apply in Australia
For an eligible spouse or de facto partner who is in Australia when the combined application is lodged.
Government chargesMain applicant · AUD 11,710
- 820 allows a temporary stay while the permanent stage is assessed
- 801 eligibility is generally considered from 2 years after the combined application
- One combined application charge covers the 820 and 801 stages
309 / 100Offshore · temporary to permanent
Partner visa — apply outside Australia
For an eligible spouse or de facto partner who is outside Australia when the combined application is lodged.
Government chargesMain applicant · AUD 11,710
- 309 is the provisional stage; subclass 100 is the permanent stage
- The permanent stage is generally considered from 2 years after application
- One combined application charge covers the 309 and 100 stages
300Offshore · fiancé(e)
Prospective Marriage visa
For an applicant outside Australia who intends to marry their Australian sponsor after arrival.
Government chargesMain applicant · AUD 11,710
- Visa validity is generally 9–15 months from grant
- Marry within the visa period, then lodge an onshore 820/801 application
- An additional reduced 820/801 application charge applies after marriage
The evidence is the application
A certificate alone does not prove a genuine and continuing relationship.
The application should tell one consistent story across forms, statements, dates and supporting documents.
Household
Living arrangements, domestic responsibilities, correspondence and address history.
Social recognition
Family and friends, shared events, travel and how the relationship is recognised publicly.
Commitment
Relationship history, communication, future plans and support during periods apart.
02.Parent visas
Permanent migration, contribution level and waiting time must be considered together
Parent visas are capped and queued. A valid application is not the same as an imminent decision, and current estimates can change as places and demand change.
Planning marker · checked 1 August 2026Home Affairs currently estimates about 15 years for new contributory parent applications and about 33 years for new Parent/Aged Parent applications.Check the official queue update ↗
103Permanent · offshore
Parent visa
A non-contributory permanent parent option with a very long queue.
Government chargesTotal from AUD 8,665 · no contribution payment
- Balance of Family test applies
- Assurance of Support is required before grant
- Paid over 2 instalments; current estimate for new Parent/Aged Parent applications is about 33 years
143Permanent · offshore
Contributory Parent visa
A contributory permanent pathway with a shorter queue than the standard parent category.
Government chargesTotal from AUD 49,900 · includes AUD 43,600 contribution
- Balance of Family test and Assurance of Support apply
- The AUD 43,600 contribution is generally requested before grant for a direct adult application
- Current estimate for new contributory applications is about 15 years
804Permanent · onshore
Aged Parent visa
The non-contributory onshore parent route where the main applicant meets the Australian pension-age requirement.
Government chargesTotal from AUD 8,665 · no contribution payment
- Applicant must meet the age and onshore application criteria
- Balance of Family test and Assurance of Support apply
- Paid over 2 instalments and subject to capping and queueing
864Permanent · onshore
Contributory Aged Parent visa
The contributory onshore permanent route for a parent who meets the age requirement.
Government chargesTotal from AUD 49,900 · includes AUD 43,600 contribution
- Balance of Family test and Assurance of Support apply
- The AUD 43,600 contribution is generally requested before grant for a direct adult application
- Still capped and queued; current contributory estimate is about 15 years
870Temporary · 3 or 5 years
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa
A 2-step application: first, an eligible child or their spouse applies to become the sponsor; second, the parent applies for the visa.
Government chargesSponsor AUD 420 · 3 years AUD 6,070 · 5 years AUD 12,140
- No Balance of Family test
- A further application can allow a maximum cumulative stay of 10 years
- Does not provide permanent residence; health insurance and sufficient funds are important
Before choosing a parent visa
Check these four questions first
- 01
Is the sponsor settled?
The sponsoring child is generally an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia.
- 02
Can the family pass the Balance of Family test?
At least half the parent's children must be eligible children, or more eligible children must live in Australia than in any other single country. It cannot be waived.
- 03
Does age and location fit the subclass?
804 and 864 are aged-parent pathways; onshore validity, current visa conditions and travel plans must be checked.
- 04
Can the family sustain the full cost and wait?
Include both visa-charge instalments, Assurance of Support where required, health costs and the practical effect of a long queue.
03.Child visas
The child's location determines the starting subclass
Age is not the only test. Dependency, study, disability, marital status, parental responsibility and the sponsor's status can all affect eligibility.
101Permanent · offshore
Child visa — outside Australia
For an eligible child outside Australia who is sponsored by an eligible parent.
Government chargesMain applicant · AUD 4,040
- Usually under 18, or 18–24 and a dependent full-time student, or dependent due to disability
- The child must generally be single
- Parental responsibility, consent, identity and relationship evidence must be addressed
802Permanent · onshore
Child visa — in Australia
The corresponding permanent child pathway for an eligible child in Australia.
Government chargesMain applicant · AUD 4,040
- Age, dependency and single-status criteria broadly mirror subclass 101
- The child must satisfy the onshore application requirements
- Current visa status and any application restrictions must be checked before lodgement
How we approach a family case
Start with pathway selection, not document collection
Eligibility map
Confirm relationship, sponsor status, location, age, visa history and the family's timing objective.
Risk and evidence plan
Identify application restrictions, sponsor issues, consent questions, relationship gaps or parent-visa queue consequences.
Prepare and lodge
Build a consistent evidence set, complete applicant and sponsor stages, and lodge the correct subclass.
Manage after lodgement
Respond to requests, update changes and prepare for the permanent stage or next visa step where applicable.
Your family, one considered plan
Not sure which subclass fits your family?
Tell us where each family member is, their status and the family's preferred timeline. We can help identify the suitable pathway and the issues to resolve before lodgement.
This page provides general information only and is not personal immigration advice or a decision by the Department of Home Affairs.