The Family Stream of Australia's Migration Program enables the reunion of close family members. This includes spouses, fiancé(e)s, interdependent partners, dependent children, adopted children and stepchildren. It also includes certain other family members such as parents, orphan relatives, carers, aged dependent relatives, and remaining relatives.

Parent:

The current Parent Visa category allows for those parents of settled Australian citizens, Permanent Residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia to be with their children (and grandchildren).

There are four (4) types of Parent categories that an applicant can apply under.

Firstly, there is the standard Parent Visa. This Visa is granted to the applicant off-shore and the applicant must be outside Australia at the time of grant.

Secondly, there is the Aged Parent Visa. This Visa can only be applied for by those persons of pensionable age in Australia (approx. 61 for women and 65 for men). The applicant must be in Australia at the time of application and grant.

The third type if the Contributory Parent Visa. This Visa is only able to be applied for from 27th June, 2003, and is granted to the applicant outside Australia.

This Visa is similar to the standard Parent Visa except the Sponsoring child(ren) are required to provide an Assurance of Support Bond and a Health Charge totalling AUD$35,000 (for the main applicant) or AUD$29,000.00 (for the secondary applicants).

The forth type if the Contributory Aged Parent Visa. This Visa is only able to be applied for from 1st July, 2003, and is granted to the applicant inside Australia.

This Visa is similar to the standard Aged Parent Visa except the Sponsoring child(ren) are required to provide an Assurance of Support Bond and a Health Charge totalling AUD$35,000 (for the main applicant) or AUD$29,000.00 (for the secondary applicants).

In all cases are the parents required to meet the Balance of Family criteria as well as the normal Health and Character requirements.

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible for eligible for a Parent Visa the applicant must have either the majority or an equal number of their children in Australia than overseas, or have more children in Australia than in any single country overseas. This criteria is the Balance of Family criteria.