Australia family reunification visa guide

What is a Family Reunification Visa?

A family reunification visa allows you to bring close relatives to live with you in Australia. These visas are designed to keep families together while meeting Australia's immigration requirements. The country recognizes several family relationships and offers different visa pathways depending on who you want to reunite with and your current situation.

Main Types of Family Visas

Australia offers several family visa categories:

• Partner visas — for spouses, de facto partners, and same-sex couples
• Parent visas — allowing children already in Australia to sponsor their parents
• Child visas — for parents to bring dependent children
• Other family visas — for siblings, grandparents, and other relatives under specific circumstances

Each category has its own requirements and processing pathway.

Basic Requirements You'll Need

To sponsor a family member, you typically must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Meet health and character requirements
• Prove your relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
• Show you can support your family member financially
• Have stable housing in Australia

Your family member will also need to pass health checks and character assessments.

The Application Process

The general process involves:

1. Determine which visa type suits your situation

2. Gather required documents (birth certificates, police records, medical reports)

3. Lodge your application through the official government portal

4. Pay the applicable visa fee

5. Attend interviews or provide additional information if requested

6. Wait for a decision

Processing times vary significantly by visa type and current application volumes. Some applications take months; others take considerably longer.

Important Things to Know

• Costs add up — visa fees, health examinations, and document certification all cost money
• Your sponsor role matters — as the sponsor, you're responsible for your family member's wellbeing
• Health requirements are strict — your family member must meet health standards
• Financial capacity counts — you must prove you can support your relative without government assistance

Next Steps

Visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs official website to:

• Review current visa fees and processing times
• Download checklists for your specific visa type
• Find authorized medical providers for health checks
• Check the latest policy changes

Each family situation is unique, so carefully review all requirements for your specific visa category before applying.

This is general self-help information, not legal advice. Always verify current rules on the official government website.