We want to help you avoid making common mistakes that could delay your visa application. The tips on this website will help you to give us the information we need to make a decision about your visa. Remember to check all the details about how to apply for each visa type and eligibility criteria.
Family visas refer to Partner, Sponsored Parent (Temporary), Parent, Child and Other Family visas. You can find all the available family and partner visas on the
visa list.
For help deciding what type of family visa is right for you, read more about visa options for joining family in Australia.
Your visa application will be processed faster if you make sure the information you have provided is correct and submit all required documents. You must provide a clear copy of the personal details page of your passport.
How to apply
Partner and the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa applications can be lodged online through
ImmiAccount.
Check your ImmiAccount regularly to see if you need to provide us with more information to process your application.
Parent, Child and Other Family visa applications must be lodged using the relevant paper form. You must pay the application fee. After doing so, write the receipt number on your application form before you post your application. Check your email or consult your authorised representative regularly to ensure you or they respond to any department requests for more information.
Keep contact details updated
Update any contact details or personal circumstances that have changed since you applied for your visa as soon as you can to avoid possible delays.
See how to let us know if there is a
change in your situation.
Complete biometrics quickly
If you have been asked for biometric data, you need to provide this as soon as possible so your visa application is not delayed.
You may have to travel some distance to a nominated biometric collection centre. If you receive a request, start arranging to get your biometric data collected as soon you can.
For more information about where to organise biometric collection, visit meeting our requirements – Biometrics.
Processing times
You can get an estimate on how long your Partner, Child or Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) application may take to process by using our visa processing times guide.
The demand for all other Parent visas (subclasses 103, 143, 173, 804, 864 and 884) is greater than the number of places available each year. As a result, processing times for these applications are lengthy.
For an indication of processing times for this visa, see
Parent visa queue release dates.
Find more information about
other family queue release dates and processing times.
Help with your visa application
If you need help with your visa application you can:
- use a registered migration agent, a practising lawyer or someone else authorised to provide immigration assistance
- use the online visa assist services available in some countries from the Australian Government’s service delivery partners:
For more information visit
Who can help you with your application.
You can find answers to commonly asked questions, make an enquiry or submit documents to the:
A list of common questions and answers about Partner visas is available at Partner Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
