Partner · Child · Parent · Remaining Relative
Reunite with your loved ones in Australia. CMG guides partners, children, and parents through Australia's family visa pathways with care and expertise.
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Overview
Understanding Your Options
Australia's Family Stream allows Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their partners, children and parents for visas. The partner visa pathway has two stages — a temporary visa that leads to permanent residency once the relationship is proven genuine and ongoing. Partner visas require evidence across four categories: financial, household, social and commitment. Processing times can be lengthy (12–36 months for partner visas) and documentation requirements are detailed, making specialist assistance essential to avoid delays and requests for further information.
Key Facts
Eligibility
Key Requirements
Genuine Relationship
RequiredYou must be in a genuine de facto (12+ months) or married relationship with your sponsor. The relationship must be mutual, continuing and exclusive. Same-sex couples are included.
Sponsor Eligibility
RequiredThe sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen aged 18 or over. The sponsor must not have sponsored a previous partner within 5 years (with exceptions).
Relationship Evidence — 4 Categories
RequiredEvidence must be provided across all four categories: financial aspects (joint accounts, shared assets), household (shared address, utilities), social (joint activities, knowledge of each other's lives), and commitment (future plans, statutory declarations from friends/family).
Health Requirements
RequiredAll visa applicants must undergo an approved health examination. Conditions such as active tuberculosis will delay processing until resolved.
Character Requirements
RequiredAll applicants aged 16+ must provide police clearances from every country they have lived in for 12 consecutive months in the last 10 years.
Sponsor Assurance of Support (Parent visas)
For parent visas (subclass 143), the sponsor must enter an Assurance of Support (AoS) — a bond lodged with Centrelink to ensure the parent does not rely on social security for a set period.
Visa Subclasses
Choose Your Pathway
Partner Visa (Onshore)
For partners already in Australia. The 820 is a temporary visa; the 801 is the permanent visa granted after 2+ years in the relationship.
- Must be in Australia when applying
- 820 temporary + 801 permanent granted together
- Work and study rights from grant of 820
- Processing: 12–24 months currently
Partner Visa (Offshore)
For partners outside Australia. The 309 (temporary) leads to the 100 (permanent) after 2+ years.
- Must be outside Australia when applying
- Can travel to Australia on 309 once granted
- 309 → 100 permanent after relationship verified
- Processing: 24–36 months offshore
Contributory Parent Visa
Permanent residency for parents of Australian citizens/PRs. One of Australia's most expensive visas but provides full permanent residency.
- AUD $47,825 primary applicant fee
- Must pass the balance-of-family test
- Assurance of Support bond required
- Processing: 3–5 years currently
Process
Step-by-Step Process
Assess Relationship Eligibility
CMG reviews your relationship history, co-habitation period and existing evidence to confirm you meet the genuine relationship requirements before you invest in an application.
Gather Relationship Evidence
Systematically collect evidence across all four categories: joint bank statements, shared lease/mortgage, utility bills in joint names, photos together, statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple.
Sponsor Lodge a Sponsorship Application
Your Australian partner lodges a sponsorship application with the Department of Home Affairs and must be approved before the visa application is lodged.
Lodge Visa Application
The visa application is lodged with all evidence, health examination results, police clearances and the Department of Home Affairs application fee.
Provide Additional Evidence on Request
Case officers may request additional evidence of the relationship at any stage. CMG monitors your case and responds promptly to any requests.
820/309 Temporary Visa Grant
The temporary visa is granted, allowing you to live, work and study in Australia. For offshore applicants, this is when you can enter Australia.
801/100 Permanent Visa
After approximately 2 years from the initial application date, a case officer will reassess the ongoing relationship. On approval, the permanent visa is granted.
Fees
Government Fees & Costs
| Government Fees 2025–26 | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 820/801 or 309/100 (primary applicant) | AUD $8,850 |
| Secondary applicant (18+) | AUD $4,430 |
| 143 Parent (primary applicant) | AUD $47,825 |
| Assurance of Support bond (143) | AUD $10,000 |
| Health examination | AUD $300–$600 |
| Police clearances | AUD $40–$100 |
| CMG professional service fee | POA |
| Estimated Total | AUD $10,000–$15,000 (partner, couple only) |
Partner visa government fees are among the highest in the Australian immigration system and are non-refundable once lodged. CMG recommends a professional assessment before lodgement.
Documents
Required Documents
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Family visa applications are complex and high-stakes. A refused or delayed application can mean years apart. CMG builds thorough, well-evidenced applications that give your family the best chance of success.