Family Visas Australia

Australia’s family stream migration program allows Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor close family members to live in Australia. At OVEC, we assist clients with a range of family visa applications — from temporary parent visas through to permanent child visas — providing professional advice and assistance at every stage. With over 15 years of experience and 176 five-star Google reviews, OVEC is one of Canberra’s most trusted registered migration agents (MARN 1170438).

This page covers the family visas OVEC handles most frequently: the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), the Child visa (subclass 101 and 802), and the Dependent Child visa (subclass 445). For information about Partner visas, please visit our Partner Visa page.

Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa — Subclass 870

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) allows a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live temporarily in Australia. It is not a permanent visa and does not lead to permanent residence, but it allows parents to spend extended periods with their children and grandchildren without needing to apply for repeated visitor visas.

How the subclass 870 works

The visa is granted in two stages. The first stage grants a stay of up to three years. A second-stage application can then be lodged from within Australia to extend the total stay to five years. The visa holder cannot work in Australia and is not covered by Medicare, so private Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) must be maintained for the full duration of the visa.

Before the parent can apply, the sponsoring child must be approved as a sponsor. Sponsorship is applied for separately and must be approved before the parent’s visa application can be lodged. The parent’s visa application must then be lodged within six months of sponsorship approval.

Aggregate stay limit

A parent cannot stay in Australia on a subclass 870 visa for more than 10 years in total across all grants. OVEC monitors clients’ visa history and advises on the timing of applications to stay within this limit. Parents who want to remain in Australia permanently would need to explore contributory or non-contributory parent visa pathways (such as the subclass 103 or 143), which have very long processing times and are managed entirely separately from the subclass 870.

Child Visa (Offshore) — Subclass 101

The Child visa (subclass 101) is a permanent visa for children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are applying from outside Australia. It grants the child the right to live, work, and study in Australia permanently from the date of visa grant.

Who qualifies as an eligible child?

An eligible child includes a biological child, adopted child, stepchild, or a child declared dependent by a court or competent authority. The child must generally be unmarried and under 18. Children aged 18 to 25 may also be eligible if they are unmarried, not in a de facto relationship, and financially dependent on the sponsoring parent. Children 25 and over may be eligible in limited circumstances involving a significant disability that renders them permanently unable to work.

A sponsor must be approved before the child visa application can be lodged. The sponsor is typically the parent who is the Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. OVEC manages the sponsorship and visa application as a coordinated process to ensure documentation is consistent and complete at each stage.

Child Visa (Onshore) — Subclass 802

The Child visa (subclass 802) is the onshore equivalent of the subclass 101 — for children who are already in Australia at the time of application and wish to remain permanently. The eligibility requirements are the same. If a child enters Australia on a temporary visa and subsequently becomes eligible — for example, because a parent obtains permanent residence — the subclass 802 can be a timely pathway to permanent status.

OVEC assesses the child’s current visa status and immigration history to confirm whether an onshore application is available and advisable, including whether any Section 48 bar applies.

Dependent Child Visa — Subclass 445

The Dependent Child visa (subclass 445) is a temporary visa for the child of a person who has applied for — but not yet been granted — a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100 or 801). It allows the child to live in Australia while the parent’s Partner visa application is being processed.

When the primary applicant’s Partner visa is finalised, the subclass 445 holder can then apply for a permanent child visa (subclass 101 or 802). The subclass 445 permits the child to study and work in Australia during the waiting period. It does not automatically become permanent — a separate permanent child visa application is required once the parent’s Partner visa is granted.

OVEC advises on whether a dependent child should be included in the Partner visa application from the outset, or whether a separate subclass 445 application is more appropriate — a decision that depends on timing, the child’s current visa status, and travel plans.

Health and Character Requirements

All applicants in the family stream — including secondary applicants and dependent children — must satisfy health and character requirements. Health requirements involve a medical examination conducted by a Department-approved physician. Character requirements generally involve a police clearance from any country where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. For younger children, character requirements may be waived. OVEC advises on which requirements apply to each applicant and how to arrange the necessary checks efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a parent on a subclass 870 visa work in Australia?

No. The subclass 870 does not permit the visa holder to work. It is a temporary stay visa only. The visa holder must hold private health insurance (OVHC) for the full duration of their stay and is not eligible for Medicare.

Does the subclass 870 lead to permanent residence?

No. The subclass 870 is a temporary visa and does not provide a pathway to permanent residence. Parents who want to remain permanently in Australia would need to consider the contributory parent visa (subclass 143) or non-contributory parent visa (subclass 103). These visas involve significantly higher costs or much longer wait times — often many years. OVEC can discuss what is realistic given a parent’s circumstances.

What is the difference between the subclass 101 and 802?

The subclass 101 is for children who are outside Australia when the application is lodged (offshore), while the subclass 802 is for children already in Australia (onshore). Both lead to the same outcome — permanent residence — with the same eligibility requirements. The correct application depends on where the child is physically located at the time of lodgement.

Can a child aged 20 still apply for a child visa?

Yes, if they meet the dependency criteria. Children aged 18 to 25 can apply if they are unmarried, not in a de facto relationship, and financially dependent on the sponsoring parent. OVEC can advise on what evidence is required to demonstrate dependency in this age bracket.

Do dependent children need their own visa application?

In some cases, children can be included as secondary applicants on a parent’s visa application. In other cases — particularly where the child was not included when the parent’s visa was originally lodged — a separate family visa application may be required. OVEC reviews the child’s circumstances and the parent’s visa history to determine the best approach.

How OVEC Can Help

As registered migration agents (MARN 1170438), OVEC provides professional family visa advice and assistance in Canberra and to clients nationally and internationally. Our services include eligibility and pathway assessment, sponsorship applications, visa lodgement, health and character requirement guidance, Department communication management, and strategic advice on timing and sequencing for family reunification.

Family visa applications can be more complex than they appear — particularly where previous visa applications, immigration history, or family relationship history raise questions that require careful handling. OVEC reviews all relevant circumstances before advising on the appropriate pathway.

Contact OVEC

Contact OVEC today to discuss your family visa options.

📞 0430 586 030
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OVEC — Oz Visa & Education Consultants. Registered Migration Agent MARN 1170438. General information only — not legal advice. Migration law changes frequently; always seek current professional advice before lodging any application.