How to Secure a Permanent Visa in Australia Through Family Visas

As a registered migration agent, my core mission is to help clients achieve permanent residency in Australia. A permanent visa is the final step in your migration journey — it grants you full work and living rights, recognises you as an Australian resident, and opens the door to Australian citizenship. Unlike temporary visas, permanent visas do not expire and are rarely cancelled, offering long-term security and peace of mind.

One of the most accessible ways to secure a permanent visa is through family visas. In this post, I will guide you through the main family visa pathways, including partner, child, parent, and carer visas. All of which can lead to permanent residency in Australia.

Understanding 'Member of the Family Unit'

Before we explore visa types, it’s important to understand how Australian migration law defines a member of the family unit:

• An adult (18 years or older) is considered the family head.

• A spouse or de facto partner (regardless of gender) is recognised as a partner.

• Children of either partner are included in the family unit.

  
  

Note: Parents of adults are not considered part of the family unit. For example, let's consider a couple with their 2 children. Let us assume one of the children is 19 years old and the other is 16 years old. Adults in this family have 4 members of the family unit, a spouse and two children. 19 year 19-year-old child has one member of the family unit that is him/herself. 16 years 16-year-old child has no family unit, not until he/she turn 18. In other words, your parents are not members of your family unit from the Department of Home Affairs' perspective. This distinction affects eligibility for family visa applications.

Partner Visas – Genuine Relationships Are Key

As a partner visa migration agent, I help couples navigate one of the most flexible and popular visa options. Partner visas do not require an English test, skill assessment, or formal qualifications. The main requirement is to prove that your relationship is genuine and ongoing.

What to check before applying

1. Sponsorship history – Has your Australian partner sponsored someone before? This could affect eligibility.

2. Character issues – Applicants or sponsors with serious criminal history (especially involving children or family violence) may be refused.

3. Health check – All applicants must pass a medical exam (including STDs, lung conditions, and general health). Failure may result in refusal.

You can apply as either a married or de facto couple. It’s even possible to be in a de facto relationship with someone who is legally married to another person, provided you can show that their previous relationship has ended.

Due to the complexity, it’s best to have your situation reviewed by an experienced partner visa agent to ensure compliance with all requirements.

Partner Visa Application Process

Partner visas follow a two-stage process

• Stage 1 – Temporary Partner Visa: Subclass 820 (onshore) or Subclass 309 (offshore)

• Stage 2 – Permanent Partner Visa: Subclass 801 (onshore) or Subclass 100 (offshore), typically after 2 years

  
  

To qualify for the permanent stage, you must demonstrate

• You’re still in a genuine, ongoing relationship, OR

• You’ve experienced domestic violence, OR

• Your Australian partner passed away after application

  
  

You’ll need to show evidence across four aspects: financial, social, household arrangements, and mutual commitment. The full process typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 years.

If you have a strong relationship with an Australian PR holder or Citizen, it is possible to use a partner visa to secure your place in Australia.

One final remark, the Department of Home Affairs does not distinguish between the two genders. Consequently, same sex couples are subject to the same partner visa eligibility criteria as heterosexuals.

Partner Visa Pathways:

• Subclass 820 – For couples living in Australia

• Subclass 309 – For couples outside Australia

• Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage Visa) – For engaged couples; the non-Australian partner enters Australia, gets married, and then applies for a partner visa

These visas are complex, time-consuming, and expensive, so ensure your documentation is strong and your relationship genuine.

Child Visas – Bringing Children to Australia

Before getting into the child visa option, it is wise to consider citizenship eligibility. If one parent is an Australian citizen, the child is eligible for citizenship. If a child is born in Australia, the child is born a citizen (automatically). If the child is born outside of Australia, citizenship can be granted via application. Lastly, if at least one parent is a permanent resident and the child is born in Australia, the child becomes an Australian citizen by birth (automatically).

A child visa can be applied for when

• The child wasn’t included in a parent’s original permanent visa application or citizenship application.

  
  

Regardless of how, if you are a permanent visa holder or citizen, we can apply for a child visa. As long as you have the majority of the custody.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The child must be younger than 18 years old, and if the Australian parent has majority custody.

• If the child is between the ages of 18–23, the child must be a full-time student and financially dependent (earning less than half of living expenses). Proof is required, such as bank statements.

  
  

💡 Tip: If your child is over 18, they should keep their income minimal during the application period.

In more complex scenarios, such as adoption or shared custody, a family visa services Australia expert can help you navigate the options.

Parent Visas – Reuniting with Loved Ones

Parent visas are tightly controlled due to annual caps. If at least half of your parents’ children live in Australia as citizens or permanent residents, they may be eligible to sponsor their parents.

Parent Visa Types:

• Contributory Parent Visas – Faster processing but high fees

• Regular Parent Visas – Low cost but long wait times (often decades)

• Aged Parent Visa – For retirement-age parents already in Australia, allows a bridging visa stay during processing

  
  

Alternative Options:

• Visitor Visas – For short-term stays (up to 3 months)

  
  

• Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa – Temporary stay of 3 or 5 years

  
  

The best choice depends on your financial means, your parents’ age, and long-term plans. Seek professional visa advice before committing. The wait will be long, at least few years or even longer.

Carer Visas – A Rare Yet Valuable Option

Carer visas offer a direct permanent residency route but are less common and involve strict criteria.

Who Can Apply?

• You are related by blood to an Australian citizen or permanent resident who needs care

• That person has a verified medical condition that prevents them from doing daily tasks

• No other care options are available (e.g., no family or nursing care in Australia)

  
  

A government-approved doctor (via Bupa medical services) must confirm the medical need. Although processing takes time, onshore applicants receive a bridging visa with full work rights while waiting.

Remaining Relative Visas – For Those With No Immediate Family Overseas

The Remaining Relative Visa is tailored explicitly for individuals whose closest family members are Australian citizens or permanent residents. Suppose you do not have immediate family members (parents, siblings, or children) residing outside Australia and wish to reunite with your last remaining relatives here. In that case, this visa is a viable option.

It's important to remember that your partner’s family members also count against this requirement. For instance, if your spouse has a sister living outside Australia, and every other member of your and your spouse's families is in Australia, you will not qualify for this visa.

In my experience, only refugees qualify for this visa. Can you imagine a situation where a human from outside of Australia has all relatives living in Australia?

This visa offers a permanent pathway; however, be prepared for lengthy processing times, currently spanning decades. Therefore, it is wise to submit an application for this visa while you are in Australia. Seeking migration advice is essential to evaluate your eligibility and to prepare a strong, well-documented application that stands out.

Your Path to Permanent Residency Starts Here

Understanding your family visa options is the first step to achieving permanent residency in Australia. Whether you're pursuing a partner visa, child visa, parent visa, or carer visa, having expert guidance can make all the difference.

As a trusted partner visa migration agent offering family visa services across Australia, I provide personal, affordable support to help you succeed.

Contact me today!

📧 info@visa-australia.com.au📱

WhatsApp: 0416 049 021

🌐 www.visa-australia.com.au

👤 Ilgin Azazi, MARN 2318123