Australia is known for its strong family values and offers a variety of visa options for individuals seeking to reunite with their loved ones. However, Australian family migration laws are complex and subject to frequent changes, making it essential to have knowledgeable professionals on your side.
At Nevett Ford, our family visa lawyers stay up to date with the latest developments in immigration policies and regulations, ensuring that you receive accurate and reliable advice tailored to your unique circumstances. We recognise the emotional significance of family reunification, so we aim to alleviate your concerns and simplify the visa process, allowing you to focus on what matters most – being with your loved ones.
Our dedicated team will work closely with family members at every step of the process, providing personalised attention to every detail of your family visa application. From gathering the required documentation to preparing “decision-ready” applications, our lawyers will employ our expertise to maximise your chances of a successful outcome.
Whether you are looking to bring your children, parents, or other family members to join you in Australia, our family visa lawyers can help you navigate the immigration system smoothly. Contact us today to plan a brighter future with your family in Australia!
What We Specialise In
Child Visas
- Subclass 802 and 101 – Child Visa
- Subclass 445 – Dependent Child Visa
- Subclass 102 – Adoption Visa
- Subclass 117 and 837 – Orphan Relative Visa
Relative Visas
- Subclass 117 and 837 – Orphan Relative Visa
- Subclass 115 and 835 – Remaining Relative Visa
- Subclass 114 and 838 – Aged Dependent Relative Visa
- Subclass 836 and 116 – Carer Visa
Parent Visas
- Subclass 103 – Parent Visa
- Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa
- Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
- Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa
- Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa
- Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa
- Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa
- Subclass 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) Visa
Why Choose
Nevett Ford
Over 150 Years of Experience
With our extensive experience spanning several decades, our family visa lawyers offer comprehensive family visa migration assistance – from initial eligibility assessments to application lodgement and management.
Personalised, Tailored Service
At Nevett Ford, our team of skilled lawyers understand the importance of personalised service when it comes to family visa applications. We prioritise your unique circumstances and requirements, providing tailored solutions that go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
High Success Rates
Our goal is to help you achieve a successful family visa result, even in cases where your previous application has been rejected by other lawyers. We understand the challenges you may have faced, which is why we go the extra mile to assist you in preparing a “decision-ready” application.
Stress-Free Application Process
Our dedicated team of family visa lawyers are committed to easing your burden throughout the visa application process. We strive to streamline the process by assisting you in submitting a complete visa application, helping you stay on your deadlines, and liaising with the authorities on your behalf.
Fast Responses
When you reach out to us, you can expect a prompt response from our team, typically within 15 minutes or less. We understand the importance of timely support and aim to provide you with the reassurance and guidance you need throughout your visa application journey.
Initial Fixed Cost Consultations
Our family visa lawyers are committed to delivering transparent, efficient, and cost-effective migration advice. Trust our team to guide you through the migration process with professionalism and integrity.
Child Visas
For parents who wish to bring their child to live permanently in Australia, the law provides several visa options to facilitate this migration. Parents – who are also considered as the “sponsor” – must be above 18 years old and fulfil either one of the following criteria:
- An Australian citizen, or
- An Australian permanent resident or the holder of a permanent visa, or
- An eligible New Zealand citizen.
For applications requiring the child to be below the age of 18, children who are 18 years or older may still apply but must be unmarried and either financially dependent on the parents or disabled to apply for this visa.
Subclass 802 and 101 – Child Visa
The 802 visa allows a child to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, access public healthcare, sponsor relatives, and potentially obtain citizenship. To be eligible for this visa, the child must be under 18, in Australia at the time of application and decision, unmarried, meet health and character requirements, and receive migration consent.
The 101 visa’s features and eligibility criteria are similar to the 802 visa, except that the 101 visa states the child must be overseas at the time of application and decision.
Subclass 445 – Dependent Child Visa
A child must apply for the 445 visa if they were not included in their parent’s granted application for a Temporary Partner Visa but wish to apply for the same permanent partner visa as their parent. Once granted this visa, the child must promptly apply for the same permanent partner visa as their parent.
The child must apply for their visa before a decision is made on their parent’s permanent partner visa application. Failure to do so may result in the child becoming unlawful if they are in Australia when the decision on their parent’s visa is made. This could potentially limit their permanent visa options.
This visa allows the child to temporarily move to or stay in Australia until their parent’s permanent partner visa application is decided. They can work, study, and travel to and from Australia through this visa.
To apply for the 445 visa, the child must be:
- Either in or out of Australia at the time of application.
- A dependent child of a parent who holds a Subclass 309 – Partner Provisional Visa, Subclass 310 – Interdependency Visa, Subclass 445 – Dependent Child Visa, Subclass 820 – Partner Visa, or Subclass 826 – Interdependency Visa.
- Sponsored by the same person sponsoring their parent (with limited exceptions).
- Meet the health and character requirements.
- Have consent to travel to Australia.
Subclass 102 – Adoption Visa
The 102 visa allows a child to stay in Australia indefinitely with their adoptive parent, work, study, access public healthcare, sponsor relatives, and potentially obtain citizenship.
To be eligible for this visa, the child must be sponsored by their parent or their parent’s partner, be adopted or in the process of being adopted by the sponsor parent, meet the health requirement, and be under 18 at the time of adoption, application submission, and decision.
Subclass 117 and 837 – Orphan Relative Visa
Through the 117 visa, the child can stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, access public healthcare, sponsor relatives, and apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
The child must be out of Australia at the time of application and decision to apply for this visa. They must be a relative of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and be sponsored by such a relative. The child must also be unable to be cared for by their parents due to their parents being missing, deceased, or permanently incapacitated. Additionally, they must be under 18 years old at the time of application, have consent to migrate to Australia, and meet the health and character requirements.
Meanwhile, the 837 visa allows the child to live permanently in Australia, study and access public healthcare, and apply for Australian Citizenship, if eligible. Similar eligibility criteria apply to this 837 except that to apply for this visa, the child must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance at the time of application and decision.
Parent Visas
The Australian government has provided a few visa options for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents who wish to live temporarily or permanently in Australia. The sponsor of these visas must satisfy the following requirements:
Must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Must be 18 years of age or over.
Has lived in Australia lawfully for at least two years before the parent lodges their visa application.
Certain visas require a Balance of Family Test which evaluates their connections to Australia and is satisfied if at least half of the parent’s children live permanently in Australia or if more of their children reside permanently in Australia than in any other country.
The following are examples of common matters our business and corporate teams can assist clients with:
Subclass 103 – Parent Visa
The 103 visa allows the parent to permanently move to or stay in Australia, sponsor eligible family members, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
To be eligible, the parent must apply from outside Australia, have a child living in Australia, desire to become a permanent resident, meet the Balance of Family Test, meet health and character requirements, and have a sponsor.
Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa
This 804 visa allows the parent to permanently move to or stay in Australia, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
To apply for this visa, the parent must be onshore, have a child living in Australia, desire to become a permanent resident, meet age requirements – old enough to receive the age pension in Australia – satisfy the Balance of Family Test and meet health and character requirements.
Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
The 870 visa allows the parent to visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per visa and apply for further visas to extend their total stay to a maximum of 10 years, but they are not permitted to work in Australia.
To apply for this visa, the parent must be sponsored by an approved parent sponsor, be at least 18 years old, be outside Australia for at least 90 days if the parent holds or has previously held a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa – unless invited to apply in writing by the Department – meet residency and health insurance requirements, and satisfy health, character, and national security criteria.
Additionally, the sponsor of this visa must have a minimum taxable income of $83,454.80.
Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa
The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa allows the parent to live in Australia for up to 2 years, work and study there without government support, and apply for a Subclass 864 – Permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa.
To apply, the parent must be in Australia, have a child living here, have the desire to live here temporarily for up to 2 years, meet age requirements, be willing to pay higher visa application charges for faster processing, satisfy the Balance of Family Test, and have a sponsor.
Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa
The 864 visa allows the parent to stay in Australia as a permanent resident, work, study, and access public healthcare.
To apply for this visa, the parent must be in Australia, have a child living in Australia, wish to become a permanent Australian resident, meet age requirements, be willing to pay higher visa application charges, satisfy the Balance of Family Test, meet health and character requirements, have an assurance of support, and have a sponsor.
It is best to keep in mind that if the parent currently holds a Subclass 884 – Temporary Contributory Aged Parent Visa and wishes to stay in Australia permanently, they can apply for this 864 visa before their temporary visa expires.
Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa
work, study, access public healthcare, and apply for a permanent Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa.
To apply for the 173 visa, the parent must be overseas, have a child living in Australia, desire to live in Australia temporarily for up to 2 years, be willing to pay higher visa application charges for faster processing, have a sponsor, meet the Balance of Family Test, and meet health and character requirements.
Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa
This visa allows the parent to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, access Australia’s public healthcare system, sponsor family members to come to Australia, travel to and enter Australia for 5 years, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
To apply for this visa, the parent must apply as a retiree, have a sponsor, meet the Balance of Family Test (if not applying as a retiree), meet the health and character requirements, and not have a previous visa cancellation or refusal.
Relative Visas
Subclass 117 and 837 – Orphan Relative Visa
The 117 and 837 visas allow the applicant to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, access public healthcare, sponsor relatives, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
To apply, the applicant must have a sponsor and be under 18 years old, single, and without a parent to care for them. They must have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident. The application must be made and decided on while the applicant is overseas. Additionally, the applicant must meet the health and character requirements.
Subclass 115 and 835 – Remaining Relative Visa
The 115 visa allows the applicant to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, access public healthcare, sponsor relatives, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
To apply, the applicant must have a sponsor and be under 18 years old, single, and without a parent to care for them. They must have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident. The applicant must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance at the time of application and decision. Additionally, the applicant must meet the health and character requirements.
As for the 835 visa, similar benefits and eligibility criteria apply except that to apply for this visa, the applicant must not have other near relatives and have an assurance of support.
Subclass 114 and 838 – Aged Dependent Relative Visa
The Aged Dependent Relative Visa allows the applicant to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, access public healthcare, sponsor relatives, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
To apply, the applicant must be overseas at the time of application and decision, be of Australian pensionable age, be dependent on their relative in Australia, have no partner, have an assurance of support, and meet the health and character requirements.
Although the 838 visa provides the same benefits, its eligibility requirements slightly differ. To apply for this visa, the applicant must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance at the time of application and decision. They must also have no further stay conditions and no previous visa cancellations/refusals.
Subclass 836 and 116 – Carer Visa
The 836 visa allows the applicant to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, access public healthcare, sponsor relatives, travel to and from Australia for 5 years, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
To apply, the applicant must be in Australia at the time of application and decision, be a carer capable of providing significant care and ongoing support to their Australian relative, have a sponsor, hold or have held a substantive visa, and meet the health and character requirement.
The only difference between the 836 and 116 visa is that the applicant for the latter requires the applicant to be overseas at the time of the application and decision.
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa
Subclass 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) Visa
For New Zealand citizens, the Australian government provides a Subclass 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) Visa for non-New Zealand family members to live and work in Australia for up to five years.
Applicant must be related to the New Zealand citizen as either their partner, child, stepchild, or their partner’s child or stepchild, or the dependent child of you or your partner’s child or stepchild.
The eligibility criteria for this visa are as follows:
● Applicant must not be a New Zealand citizen.
● Applicant must be a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen.
● The applicant’s New Zealand citizen family member must not be an Eligible New Zealand Citizen.
● The applicant’s New Zealand citizen family member must be living in Australia on a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) or will be travelling with you to Australia and will be granted a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) on arrival.
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