Partner and Family Visas

Reunite with your loved ones and build your future together in Australia.

Australia’s Partner and Family visa programs allow Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to bring their partners, children, and parents to live, work, and study in Australia — creating clear pathways to permanent residence and citizenship.

Partner Visas

Australia offers several partner visa pathways for those in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Whether you’re inside or outside Australia, there’s a visa to suit your situation. Understanding these options can save time, reduce stress, and ensure your pathway to living together is smooth.

Offshore Partner Visas – Subclass 309 & 100

For those outside Australia, the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 visas allow you to live with your Australian partner while securing permanent residency.

Subclass 309 – Partner (Provisional)
- Temporary visa for de facto partners or spouses.
- Must apply outside Australia.
- Live, work, study, and travel to and from Australia while waiting for the permanent visa.
- Cost: from AUD 9,365.
- Leads directly to the permanent Subclass 100 visa.
Subclass 100 – Partner (Migrant)
- Permanent visa granted after holding the 309 for around 2 years or once eligibility requirements are met.
- Allows indefinite stay, work, study, Medicare access, and the ability to sponsor family members.
- Opens the path to Australian citizenship if eligible.

This pathway is ideal for couples separated by distance or living overseas, ensuring they can eventually unite in Australia.

Onshore Partner Visas – Subclass 820 & 801

For those already in Australia, Subclass 820 and 801 provide a similar two-stage approach:

Subclass 820 – Temporary Partner Visa
- Apply while in Australia.
- Live, work, study, and travel freely while the permanent visa is processed.
- Cost: from AUD 9,365 (varies for Prospective Marriage visa holders).
- Leads to Subclass 801 permanent visa.
Subclass 801 – Permanent Partner Visa
- Granted after holding the 820, usually 2 years after initial application.
- Permanent residency benefits include indefinite stay, work, study, Medicare, sponsorship of eligible family members, and eligibility for citizenship.

This pathway suits couples already living together in Australia or those on a bridging visa or other temporary visa.

Prospective Marriage Visa – Subclass 300

If you are outside Australia and planning to marry an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the Subclass 300 visa is your first step:

Stay in Australia for 9 to 15 months to marry your partner.
Work and study during your stay.
After marriage, you can apply for the onshore Subclass 820/801 Partner visa before the Subclass 300 expires.
Cost: from AUD 9,365.

This visa ensures couples who are engaged can enter Australia to marry and then transition to permanent residency.

Key Benefits of Australian Partner Visas

Live, Work, and Study in Australia: Enjoy the flexibility to settle, build your career, and pursue education while your permanent residency is being processed.
Freedom to Travel: Move in and out of Australia with ease, giving you the ability to visit family or manage personal commitments (subject to initial visa conditions).
Access to Healthcare: Eligible applicants can use Medicare, ensuring essential medical care and peace of mind.
Include Your Family: Dependent children and other family members can be included in your visa application, keeping your loved ones together.
Pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: Once granted a permanent partner visa, you can sponsor eligible family members and take steps toward Australian citizenship, securing a long-term future in Australia.

Child & Adoption Visas

The Child and Adoption visa framework is designed to support family unity and provide long-term settlement opportunities for dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

These visa options allow children — whether biological, adopted, or stepchildren — to join their parents in Australia permanently or temporarily, depending on the family’s circumstances.

The main visa types include:

Child Visa (Onshore and Offshore) – For dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently.
Adoption Visa – For children adopted outside Australia by an Australian citizen or permanent resident, allowing them to enter and live in Australia permanently.
Dependent Child (Temporary) Visa – For children of temporary partner visa holders, enabling them to stay in Australia while their parent’s permanent visa is processed.

Key Benefits

Pathway to Australian Permanent Residence – Successful applicants gain the right to live, study, and access healthcare in Australia.
Family Reunification – Enables parents and children to live together in Australia, promoting emotional and social stability.
Access to Education & Healthcare – Children can attend Australian schools and benefit from Medicare once granted permanent residence.
Pathway to Citizenship – Eligible children may later apply for Australian citizenship.

Why Families Choose Australia

Australia offers a safe, multicultural environment and one of the world’s highest standards of living.

Families benefit from:

World-class education from early childhood through university.
Universal healthcare (Medicare) and child welfare protections.
Family-friendly lifestyle with open spaces, clean cities, and strong community support.
Stable economy and inclusive society that celebrates diversity and opportunity.

Begin Your Journey

Reuniting with your child or bringing your adopted child home to Australia is one of the most important steps your family can take. With expert guidance and compassionate support, we help make that transition seamless. Our goal is to make your family’s reunification smooth, transparent, and successful — ensuring your child’s future in Australia is built on a strong foundation.

Parent Visas

Are you ready to bring your parents to Australia?

Whether you’re seeking permanent residency for them, or simply a long-term visit, Australia offers multiple parent visa pathways to help families reunite. At Trusthaven Immigration, we specialise in parent visa applications, and this guide walks you through all major subclasses, their differences, eligibility and how to choose the right pathway for your situation.

Why Choose a Parent Visa Pathway?

Bringing parents to Australia offers numerous benefits. They can live near you, access public healthcare (Medicare), work or study (in many cases), and enjoy life in Australia. Unlike short-term visitor visas, the parent visa streams are designed for extended stays or permanent migration, offering stability and family connection.

Fully Permanent Parent Visas (Non-Contributory)

These visa subclasses allow parents to become Australian permanent residents. However, they come with very long wait-times and/or eligibility criteria.

Subclass 103 – Parent visa

The Subclass 103 Parent visa is a permanent visa that lets a parent of a settled Australian citizen,

Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen move to Australia.

Key features:

Permanently stay in Australia once granted.
Work, study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor family.
Important considerations:
Very long processing times (queue may be decades).
Must meet the balance-of-family test (at least half of your children are Australian/PR or more in Australia than elsewhere) unless a retiree concession applies.
This visa is suitable if you can wait and prefer lower fees over speed.

Subclass 804 – Aged Parent visa

The Subclass 804 Aged Parent visa is a permanent visa for parents who are of pension‐age (old enough to receive the Australian age pension) and have a child who is an Australian citizen, PR or eligible NZ citizen.

Key features:

Permanent residency, work/study rights, Medicare eligibility.
Applicant must be in Australia at the time of application (onshore).

Important considerations:

Processing wait times are also long.
Premium fees are higher earlier than non-contributory, but still beneficiary of the aged parent route.
This visa suits older parents who are already in Australia or willing to apply onshore and wait for permanent residency.

Contributory Parent Visas (Faster, Higher Cost)

These visas offer shorter processing time frames in return for higher application fees (“contributions”). They are ideal if you want faster resolution and permanent residency.

Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent visa

The Subclass 143 is a permanent visa for parents of Australian citizens/PR/eligible NZ citizens, who are willing to make the higher contribution.

Key features:

Grants permanent residence from day one.
You can work, study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor family, and travel for 5 years post-grant.

Important considerations:

Higher cost compared with non-contributory parent visa.
Processing time is faster but still may be years.
This visa works well for families who prioritise speed and have the financial means.

Subclass 173 – Contributory

Parent (Temporary) visa

The Subclass 173 is a temporary visa valid for up to 2 years, intended as a first step toward the permanent 143 visa.

Key features:

Live in Australia for up to 2 years, work/study rights apply (but limited government support).
After 2 years you apply for the Subclass 143 visa.
Important considerations:
Two-step payment structure helps spread cost.
Not a direct permanent visa yet, but part of the contributory parent pathway.
This option is ideal if you wish to bring your parent sooner and gradually fulfil the contribution obligations.

Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent visa

The Subclass 864 is a permanent visa for aged-parent applicants (old enough for Australian Age Pension) under the contributory category.

Key features:

Similar benefits to 804 but processed more quickly (for those willing to pay).
Eligible for Medicare, work/study rights, travel facility.

Important considerations:

Higher cost.
Must satisfy age-pension age requirement.
This is the premium aged-parent route for those who want permanent residency and faster processing and are able to contribute financially.

Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa

The Subclass 884 is a temporary visa valid for 2 years, intended as a first step toward the permanent 864 visa.

Key features:

Onshore or offshore (depending on eligibility) aged-parent applicants live in Australia for 2 years while preparing for the 864 visa.
Important considerations:
Cannot extend or renew this visa; you must apply for 864 afterwards.
Helps spread the cost of the full contributory aged parent visa.
This is a strategic choice for aged parents who want to come sooner, and split cost and time across stages.

Temporary Parent Visa (No Direct PR Pathway)

Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa

The Subclass 870 lets parents of Australian citizens/PR/eligible NZ citizens live in Australia temporarily for up to 3 or 5 years per visa, with a maximum cumulative stay of 10 years.

Key features:

Shorter processing times compared to permanent parent visas.
No balance-of-family test in many cases (depending on conditions).
Not a route to permanent residency — purely temporary stay.

Important considerations:

Cannot work in Australia (in many cases) under some visa conditions.
Sponsorship required by the Australian child or resident-sponsor.
This visa is ideal if your parent wants an extended stay in Australia but isn’t ready for or doesn’t want permanent residency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the fastest parent visa option?
The Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent Temporary visa) generally has the fastest processing time since it’s a standard temporary stay rather than full migration. M&Z Consultancy

Q2. Can my parent apply from outside Australia?
Yes — many visa subclasses allow off-shore application (e.g., Subclass 103, 143), while some on-shore only (e.g., Subclass 804, 884). Always check subclass details.

Q3. Do parents always get access to Medicare?
For most permanent parent visas (103, 804, 143, 864), yes they can enrol in Medicare once the visa is granted. For temporary visas, healthcare entitlements vary.

Q4. What is the “balance-of-family” test?
It requires that at least half of your children must live permanently in Australia as Australian citizens/PR or that more of your children live in Australia than any other single country. Some temporary streams (e.g., 870) may waive this test. VEM | Victory Education Migration

Q5. Can my parent work or study in Australia?
Yes — most permanent parent visas allow work and study rights. Some temporary visas may limit work rights (e.g., 870).

Family and Relative Visas

Australia’s family and relative visa options are designed to bring families together and provide support for loved ones who depend on Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. These visas help people reunite with relatives, care for family members, and ensure that children and dependent individuals can live in a safe, supportive environment.

Whether you are an aged dependent, a carer, an orphaned child, or the only remaining relative of someone living in Australia, there are dedicated visa categories to help you live with your family permanently or temporarily.

Aged and Dependent Family Visas (Subclasses 114, 838, 115 & 835)

These visas are designed for older or financially dependent relatives who rely on their family in Australia for care and support. They allow eligible applicants to live permanently in Australia with their sponsoring relatives.

Includes:

Aged Dependent Relative Visas (Subclasses 114 & 838) – For single, aged relatives who are financially dependent on an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
Remaining Relative Visas (Subclasses 115 & 835) – For individuals whose only close family members live in Australia.

Key Features:

Permanent residency with the right to live, work, and study indefinitely.
Access to Medicare and social support (if eligible).
Pathway to Australian citizenship.
Family sponsorship ensures ongoing emotional and financial support.

These visas are ideal for older or dependent family members who wish to join their loved ones and enjoy long-term stability in Australia.

Carer Visas (Subclasses 116 & 836)

The Carer Visas provide a permanent pathway for individuals who need to move to or remain in Australia to care for a relative with a long-term or permanent medical condition.

Key Features:

Permanent residency with full work, study, and Medicare rights.
Enables compassionate family reunification for caregiving purposes.
The relative’s medical condition must be verified by an approved medical assessor.

This visa ensures that Australian families can support loved ones facing serious health challenges, allowing close relatives to provide the care they need.

Orphan Relative Visas (Subclasses 117 & 837)

The Orphan Relative Visas allow children under 18 years of age, who no longer have parents able to care for them, to live permanently in Australia with an eligible relative.

Key Features:

Permanent residence with access to education, healthcare, and future citizenship.
Must be sponsored by an eligible relative (citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen).
Provides a safe, nurturing family environment for orphaned children.

These visas prioritise child welfare and family stability, ensuring children grow up in a supportive home in Australia.

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461)

The Subclass 461 visa is a temporary visa for non-New Zealand family members of New Zealand citizens who hold (or are eligible for) a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444).

Key Features:

Valid for up to 5 years and renewable while the relationship continues.
Allows holders to live, work, and study in Australia.
Enables family members of New Zealand citizens to live together without needing immediate permanent residency.

This visa offers flexibility and family unity for New Zealand citizens and their loved ones residing in Australia.

Refugee & Humanitarian

Ministerial Intervention & Appeals

How can we assist?

Navigating Australia’s family visa system can be complex, with multiple subclasses, varying eligibility criteria, and detailed documentation requirements. Whether you’re reuniting with your partner, sponsoring a parent, adopting a child, or supporting a dependent family member, every situation is deeply personal — and every application deserves precision, empathy, and expert handling.

At Trusthaven Immigration, we combine professional expertise with genuine care to help you achieve your family goals with confidence and clarity. Here’s how we can support you through your journey:

Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment - We begin by understanding your family circumstances, relationship history, and long-term settlement goals. Based on this, we identify the most suitable visa pathway — whether for partners, parents, children, or other family members — ensuring your application starts on the strongest footing.
Tailored Visa Strategy and Planning - No two family situations are alike. We develop a customised strategy that considers your timeline, onshore or offshore eligibility, financial capacity, and future residency or citizenship goals — giving you a clear, step-by-step plan from start to finish.
Accurate and Complete Documentation - Family visas often hinge on the quality of evidence provided. We help you compile comprehensive proof of relationship, dependency, sponsorship, financial support, health and character compliance, and other essential documents — minimising delays or refusals due to missing details.
End-to-End Application Management - From preparing and lodging your visa application to communicating with the Department of Home Affairs, we handle every aspect with meticulous care. Our team ensures that your application is compliant, professionally presented, and fully supported by the required evidence.
Bridging, Transition, and Compliance Support - For applicants in Australia, we provide expert advice on bridging visas, lawful status maintenance, and transitions between temporary and permanent stages — ensuring you remain compliant and stress-free throughout the process.
Ongoing Guidance and Communication - We stay by your side from lodgement to decision, keeping you informed, responding to Department requests, and ensuring a smooth, stress-free process every step of the way.
Post-Visa Settlement and Citizenship Advice - After your visa is granted, we are there to further support you with residency transitions, family sponsorships, and citizenship preparation — making your family’s settlement in Australia simple and secure.