Family visa processing priorities
Family migration applications are processed in line with Ministerial Directions:
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Ministerial Direction No. 117 - Order for considering and disposing of Family visa applications under sections 47 and 51 of the Migration Act 1958 (Direction 117), which replaced Ministerial Direction 102 on 25 July 2026, and
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Ministerial Direction No. 103 - Order for considering and disposing of visa applications under section 91 of the Migration Act 1958 (Direction 103).
Decision makers are required to follow the priorities set out in these Ministerial Directions. In doing this, they must have regard to the Government’s policy intentions concerning the size and composition of the Migration Program, and to Australia’s international legal obligations.
Ministerial Direction 117 gives highest priority to Family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted while the applicant is in Australia.
Lower priority is given to Family visa applications where the primary applicant either is outside Australia at the time of application or must be outside Australia at the time of grant.
Within these categories, Ministerial Direction 117 sets out the following order for processing Family visa applications:
- family migration applications that have been subject to ministerial intervention
- applications by a partner or a dependent child
- applications by an orphan relative
- applications by a contributory parent or a contributory aged parent
- applications by a carer
- applications by a parent, aged parent, remaining relative or aged dependant relative.
Ministerial Direction 103 specifies processing in queue date order for those family visa applications that are subject to capping and queuing.
Processing times
Processing times will vary according to the individual circumstances of each case.
Applications may be prioritised in limited circumstances.
Ministerial Direction 117 specifies that an application may be prioritised if it involves special circumstances of a compassionate nature, and there are compelling reasons to depart from the order of priority. Any decisions to prioritise a Family stream visa application are made on a case-by-case basis after considering the individual circumstances of the case.
Child and Partner visa processing times are available in the Processing times guide.
Information on seeking priority processing of a Partner visa application can be found at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Contributory Parent, Parent and Other Family (Carer, Remaining Relative and Aged Dependent Relative) visa applications are subject to capping and queueing.
See Parent visas - queue release dates and processing times
See Other family visas - queue release dates and processing times
