Sponsoring Mum Dad on Parent Visa Australia

How to prepare Australian Parent Visa Application with checklist

There are several different types of parent visas, with various time frames and requirements. Let’s take a look at all six scenarios involving parent visas that can lead to bringing both or one of your parents over to Australia, for a family sponsorship.

Australian Parent category visas

If you meet the requirements below, you might be eligible to apply for a parent visa:

• you have a child who is an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen or an eligible New Zealand citizen
• your child has been living lawfully in Australia for the last 2 years before your visa allocation was lodged
• you have a sponsor (most likely your child)
• you must meet the criteria for the Balance of Family test (explained more below)
• you can meet the health and character requirements

How long can you stay in Australia on a parent category visa?

It will depend of the subclass of parent visa you apply for, but a parent category visa can allow you to, either :

1. be a temporary resident in Australia for up to 2 years
2. get you Australian permanent residency

Family Sponsorship Australia information

You must have a sponsor to apply for a parent category visa to live in Australia as a permanent or temporary resident. Your sponsor needs to be an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen or eligible New Zealand citizen who:

• is 18 years old or over
• has resided in Australia legally for at least 2 years prior to the parent lodging their visa application
• There are special preparations for a sponsor under the age of 18. If your child or step-child has not yet turned 18, someone else may act as a sponsor as long as they are 18 years old or over and are a settled Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen or an eligible New Zealand citizen. These could include:
• the live-in partner (or spouse) of your child or step-child
• someone who is a relative or guardian of your child or step-child
• someone who is a relative or guardian or the live-in partner (or spouse) of your child or step-child
• a community organization

Balance of family test

If you are a parent applying for a parent category visa, you must meet the balance of family test. This test was designed to determine the degree of your links to Australia.

You will meet the requirements for the balance of family test if:

1. at minimum half of your children live permanently in Australia
2. you have more children living in Australia than anywhere else

Your visa options for family sponsorship to Australia via Parent Visa

How do you figure out which visa option is right for you?

The following scenarios should help you decide which parent category visa to apply for, given your current circumstances.

Are you applying outside or in Australia? If you answered outside Australia:

For the next scenario, you can be in or outside of Australia:

Do you currently hold a Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864)? Do you wish to stay in Australia on a permanent basis? You can apply for the Permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) before your current temporary visa expires.

The age requirement was mentioned in some of the Parent category visas above, so let’s look at what the age requirement will be.

This requirement to be an “Aged Parent” is only needed for the main applicant for an onshore parent category visa. An “Aged Parent” is one who is old enough to qualify for an Australian age pension. To apply for a parent visa which includes the word “Aged” in the title, only one parent has to meet the age requirement.
PLEASE NOTE: This does not mean you will be granted the age pension in Australia if you are an aged parent. There will be a waiting period of 10 years before you can receive the pension (unless there is a reciprocal agreement with another country which will pay you the pension). This period of 10 years will continue even if you become an Australian citizen.

ONE derland Consulting has extensive experience dealing with different type of visas and complex cases, to find further information on your options and eligibility for family sponsorship to Australia for a parent visa please contact our office on (+61) 089477-5831 or email: [email protected]