Australian regulations allow permanent residents and citizens to bring their parents, spouse, children and other qualified relatives to Australia. Some crtierion are required to be met, of course.

PARENT VISAS

As a parent:

• you must be a parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
• your child must be settled in Australia and must sponsor you
• you must pass the balance of family test (at least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, or you must have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country)
• you must meet health & character requirements

Assurance of Support (AoS) is required for all permanent parent categories.
There are following categories for Parent visas:

1. Parent visa: This is a standard visa category
2. Aged Parent visa: The applicant should be old enough to be granted an Australian pension
3. Contributory parent visa (temporary and permanent): The applicant contributes by way of paying a higher 2nd visa application charge. If applying for temporary visa, 40% is paid at the time of temporary visa grant and remaining 60% is paid as 2nd visa application charge at the time of permanent visa grant. If applying for a direct permanent visa, 100% is paid as 2nd visa application charge at the time of permanent visa grant.
4. Contributory aged parent visa (temporary and permanent): The applicant should be old enough to be granted pension and contributes by way of paying a higher 2nd visa application charge. If applying for temporary visa, 40% is paid at the time of temporary visa grant and remaining 60% is paid as 2nd visa application charge at the time of permanent visa grant. If applying for a direct permanent visa, 100% is paid as 2nd visa application charge at the time of permanent visa grant.

PARTNER VISAS

Partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens may apply to enter and/or remain permanently in Australia. Partners include:

• people intending to get married
• married (de jure) partners
• de facto partners
• interdependent partners (including those in a same-sex relationship).

To be eligible for partner migration to Australia, you must meet the following basic requirements:

• Spouse or De Facto: You must be in a married or a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen. If you are living overseas & are engaged to be married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, & intend to marry that person before entering Australia, you can apply for a spouse visa but you must marry that person before a spouse visa can be granted. You must be able to prove to the Australian Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) that your relationship is genuine & continuing.
• Fiance: You must be living outside Australia and be engaged to be married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, and wish to marry that person in Australia. You cannot apply for a fiance (prospective spouse) visa if you are in Australia. You must be able to prove to DIAC that you genuinely intend to marry your fiance & live together as spouses.
• Interdependent partner You must be in an interdependent relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen. Interdependent relationships include, but are not restricted to, same sex couples. Like the categories above, you must be able to prove to DIAC that your relationship is genuine & continuing.

CHILD VISAS

Following categories for child visas are:

• Child
• Orphan relative
• Adopted child
• Dependent child

For more information on child visas, please visit http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/family-visas-child.htm.

OTHER FAMILY VISAS

Following categories for other family visas are:

• Remaining relative
• Aged dependent relative
• Carer
• New Zealand citizen family relationship

For more information on other family visas, please visit http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/family-visas-other.htm.