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Other Family Visas

Child Visas

In many cases, dependent children may be included in a parent’s visa application. However, where this is not possible, separate child visa pathways are available to enable eligible children to travel to, remain in, or permanently settle in Australia with their parent.

Australia offers several child visa options depending on the child’s location and family circumstances.

Available child visa options include:

Child Visa (Offshore) – Subclass 101
A permanent residence visa that allows eligible children of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to apply from outside Australia and live permanently in Australia.

Child Visa (Onshore) – Subclass 802
A permanent residence visa that allows eligible children who are already in Australia to apply onshore for permanent residence.

Dependent Child Visa – Subclass 445
A temporary visa for dependent children of holders of temporary partner visas (Subclass 820 or Subclass 309), allowing the child to remain in Australia while the parent’s permanent partner visa application is being processed.

General eligibility requirements may include:

  • The child must be dependent on an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. For the Subclass 445 visa, the child must be dependent on a parent holding an eligible temporary partner visa.
  • The child must be sponsored by their parent, with sponsorship approval required as part of the application process.
  • The child must generally be under 18 years of age, or in some cases under 25 years of age if studying full-time and financially dependent, or over 18 if they have a qualifying disability.
  • Applicants must satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.
  • Where the child is under 18 years of age, evidence of parental consent and compliance with relevant overseas departure laws may be required.
  • The Department must be satisfied that granting the visa is in the best interests of the child.

Carer Visas

Carer visas provide a pathway for eligible individuals to migrate to Australia to provide ongoing care and support to an Australian relative who has a long-term medical condition and has no reasonable access to suitable care arrangements in Australia.

There are two carer visa pathways available depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside Australia.

Available carer visa options include:

Carer Visa (Offshore) – Subclass 116
A permanent residence visa for applicants who are outside Australia and intend to migrate permanently to provide substantial and continuing care to an eligible Australian relative.

Carer Visa (Onshore) – Subclass 836
A permanent residence visa for eligible applicants who are already in Australia and wish to remain permanently to provide ongoing care and support to an eligible Australian relative.

Key features of this visa include:

  • Both visas provide permanent residence, allowing successful applicants to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Applicants must provide substantial and continuing care to an eligible Australian relative with a long-term medical condition.
  • The relative requiring care must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • Independent medical evidence is generally required to demonstrate the nature of the medical condition and care needs.
  • Applicants must demonstrate that there is no reasonable access to suitable care arrangements available in Australia.
  • The Subclass 116 visa is generally lodged outside Australia, while the Subclass 836 visa is generally lodged in Australia.
  • Successful applicants may, subject to eligibility, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Remaining Relative Visas

Remaining Relative visas provide a pathway for eligible individuals whose only close family members are living permanently in Australia to reunite with their family and obtain permanent residence.

There are two remaining relative visa pathways available depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside Australia.

Available Remaining Relative visa options include:

Remaining Relative Visa (Offshore) – Subclass 115
A permanent residence visa for applicants who are outside Australia and whose only near relatives are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

Remaining Relative Visa (Onshore) – Subclass 835
A permanent residence visa for eligible applicants who are already in Australia and whose only near relatives are settled in Australia.

Key features of this visa include:

  • Both visas provide permanent residence, allowing successful applicants to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Applicants must demonstrate that their only near relatives are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia.
  • Applicants must not have any close relatives living outside Australia, unless exceptional circumstances apply under the migration regulations.
  • Applicants must be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative.
  • The Subclass 115 visa is generally lodged outside Australia, while the Subclass 835 visa is generally lodged in Australia.
  • Applicants for the onshore Subclass 835 visa may be eligible for a bridging visa, allowing lawful stay in Australia while the application is being processed.
  • These visas are subject to capped places and queueing arrangements, which often result in very lengthy processing times.
  • Successful applicants may, subject to eligibility, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Aged Dependent Relative Visas

Aged Dependent Relative visas provide a pathway for eligible older applicants who are financially dependent on an Australian relative to live permanently in Australia.

There are two aged dependent relative visa pathways available depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside Australia.

Available Aged Dependent Relative visa options include:

Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Offshore) – Subclass 114
A permanent residence visa for eligible applicants who are outside Australia and are financially dependent on an Australian relative.

Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Onshore) – Subclass 838
A permanent residence visa for eligible applicants who are already in Australia and are financially dependent on an Australian relative.

Key features of this visa include:

  • Both visas provide permanent residence, allowing successful applicants to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Applicants must have reached the Australian Age Pension age at the time of application.
  • Applicants must demonstrate financial dependency on an eligible Australian relative for a substantial period prior to lodging the application.
  • The sponsoring relative must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia.
  • The Subclass 114 visa is generally lodged outside Australia, while the Subclass 838 visa is generally lodged in Australia.
  • Applicants for the onshore Subclass 838 visa may be eligible for a bridging visa, allowing lawful stay in Australia while the application is being processed.
  • These visas are subject to capped places and queueing arrangements, often resulting in lengthy processing times.
  • Successful applicants may, subject to eligibility, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Orphan Relative Visas

Orphan Relative visas provide a pathway for eligible children outside or inside Australia to live permanently with a sponsoring relative where they cannot be cared for by their parents.

These visas are designed to allow children who have lost parental care due to death, incapacity, or disappearance of their parents to reunite with family members in Australia.

Available Orphan Relative visa options include:

Orphan Relative Visa (Offshore) – Subclass 117
A permanent residence visa for eligible children who are outside Australia and sponsored by a relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Orphan Relative Visa (Onshore) – Subclass 837
A permanent residence visa for eligible children who are already in Australia and sponsored by an eligible Australian relative.

Key features of this visa include:

  • Both visas provide permanent residence, allowing successful applicants to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Applicants must generally be under 18 years of age at the time of application.
  • The child must have no parent able to care for them because the parents are deceased, permanently incapacitated, or their whereabouts are unknown.
  • Applicants must be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative, such as a close family member who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • The Subclass 117 visa is generally lodged outside Australia, while the Subclass 837 visa is generally lodged in Australia.
  • Applicants for the onshore Subclass 837 visa may be eligible for a bridging visa, allowing lawful stay in Australia while the application is being processed.
  • The Department must be satisfied that granting the visa is in the best interests of the child.
  • Successful applicants may, subject to eligibility, access Medicare, education opportunities, and a pathway to Australian citizenship.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.