Aged Dependent Relative Visa for Applicants
-
Overview
-
About this visa
-
Eligibility
-
Step by step
-
When you have this visa
Stay
Permanently
Cost
From AUD4,990.00
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
For more information, see Other Family Visa Queue
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia as a permanent resident
- sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- apply for Australian citizenship if eligible
See all conditions
Check your eligibility
You must
- be inside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for this visa and when we decide on your application
- be sponsored by your relative or your relative's partner
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia indefinitely
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date we grant this visa until the travel validity expires.
If you want to travel after the initial 5-year travel validity:
- you will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) so that you can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
- you might also want to consider Australian citizenship. If you become an Australian citizen, you don't require a visa to enter Australia. You will need to apply for an Australian passport and use it to leave and re-enter Australia. See more about eligibility requirements and current processing times for Australian citizenship
To see when your travel validity ends, use VEVO
How long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day we grant the visa.
Include family
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply. You can also add them to your application at any time before we make a decision.
You will be required to include details of all your family members, whether they are migrating or not, in the application form.
For this visa, your family members are your dependent child and stepchild.
Family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health and character requirements.
Family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health and character requirements.
Cost
This visa costs from AUD4,990.00. There is also an additional charge for each family member who applies with you.
You pay for this visa in 2 parts called instalments.
Pay the first instalment when you apply. Pay the second instalment when we ask you to.
You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Use the Visa Pricing Estimator to work out what your visa will cost. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs.
See more about visa fees and charges.
Apply from
You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply and when we decide on your application.
Any family members who apply for the visa with you must also be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply.
Processing times
The demand for Other Family visas is greater than the number of places available each year. As a result, processing times for these applications can be lengthy.
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Your application might take longer to process if:
- you do not fill it in correctly
- you do not include all the documents we need or we need more information from you and/or
- your information takes longer than usual to verify.
We can't process your application if you don't pay the correct visa application charge. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application.
Applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing.
Learn more about the Other Family Visa queues and processing priorities.
The Reports on Migration Programs have further information on Migration Program outcomes against planning for each migration program year.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Have a sponsor
You must be sponsored by an eligible relative or a relative's partner.
We must approve the sponsorship.
Be this age
You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
Be dependent
You must have been dependent on your relative in Australia for basic needs like food, shelter and clothing for at least the last 3 years before you apply for the visa.
You could be dependent on your relative due to disability that prevents you from working.
Have no partner
To be eligible for this visa you must have no partner.
Must not have a no further stay condition
The visa you currently hold must not have a no further stay condition on it.
See your conditions in VEVO.
Have assurance of support
You must be able to obtain an assurance of support.
An assurance of support assures us that you will not have to rely on government assistance after you enter Australia on this visa. The assurance is for you and any family members who come to Australia with you on this visa.
We will let you know when you need to the assurance of support.
Learn more about assurances of support.
Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
We might also ask that other family members also meet the requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You, and family members who apply for the visa with you, must meet our character requirement.
We might also ask that other non-migrating family members also meet the requirement.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or have an approved arrangement in place to pay it back.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Limitations on applications in Australia (129KB PDF).
If applying for a visa from outside Australia, see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Step 1
Before you apply
Check your passport. If you need help with your application, get someone to act on your behalf.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
- a registered migration agent
- a legal practitioner, or
- an exempt person.
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
Check your passport
You don't have to have a valid passport to apply but you must provide details of your most recent passport.
However, we will only grant the visa if you have a valid passport.
Step 2
Gather your documents
You will need proof of identity and character documents. You will also need your sponsor documents.
Provide accurate documents
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you cannot prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Identity documents
We need proof of your identity. If you cannot prove your identity:
- we will refuse your visa application
- we might not grant you another visa for 10 years
- we might not grant any family members you listed on your application a visa for 10 years
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by
Sponsor documents
Your migration must be sponsored by your relative or relative's partner.
The sponsor must be:
- aged 18 years or older
- a settled Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- usually resident in Australia
Your sponsor must complete Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia (442KB PDF).
To prove your relationship with your sponsor, you will need to give us:
- birth certificate
- marriage certificates
- death certificates
- adoption certificates
- family status certificates or family books if officially issued and maintained
To prove that your sponsor is an eligible citizen or permanent resident, give us:
- citizenship certificate
- passport
- valid visa (for eligible New Zealand citizens)
Character documents
Do not arrange for police certificates until we ask you to. Learn more about police certificates.
Evidence of your relationship to your relative
Show evidence you are related to your sponsor, such as:
- a birth certificate
- a marriage certificate
- an adoption certificate
- a family status certificate or family book, if officially issued and maintained
Evidence you are dependent on your relative
Provide evidence you are dependent on your relative for basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing, and of how long this support has been provided. Evidence could include:
- bank statements
- money transfers
- rent receipts
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependent under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- proof of your relationship with them, like a birth or marriage certificate
- character documents, if applicable
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not in Australia with the child
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (276KB PDF)
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to stay in Australia on this visa
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents if applicable
If the child is not staying with a relative or legal guardian, provide Form 1257 Undertaking declaration (211KB PDF). The person they are staying with must sign the form.
Dependants over 18 documents
To be included in your visa application as a dependent child, your child must be:
- under 18 years, or
- over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 years of age, unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner
For every dependant 18 years old or older who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
- proof of dependency
Proof of dependency
You need to prove that this person is dependent on you. Provide:
- a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (307KB PDF)
- proof of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:
- proof they live with you
- their tax records
- proof they are currently studying
Usually, your child or stepchild must be under 23 years old to be included in your application.
However, a dependant older than 23 years can be included if they are unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations. In this case, provide information about the physical or cognitive limitation.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).
Send written notification or your forms with your paper application.
Prepare your documents
Photographs
Provide 4 recent passport-size photos (45mm x 35mm)of anyone included in the application.
Photographs must be:
- passport-size (45mm x 35mm)
- less than 6 months old
- good quality colour. We don't accept laser copies
- a full-face view of your head and shoulders
- taken against a plain light-coloured background
You can wear untinted prescription glasses. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, you can show only your face.
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original copies and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Certify
Do not certify police certificates. You need to send us the originals.
Have all other documents as a certified copy. This includes:
- non-English documents
- English translations
Keep
Keep a copy of your completed application.
Send
Send us:
- original police certificates
- certified copies of all other documents
- as much information as possible to help us decide on your application
- each document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing
- all documents with your application, if you can
Step 3
Apply for the visa
You must apply for this visa on paper. You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Apply on paper
Complete Form 47OF Application for migration to Australia by other family members (615KB PDF).
Your sponsor must complete:
- Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia
Complete the form in English.
You can't pay for this visa in person.
You must pay the first instalment when you apply. Pay for the application before it is submitted using the online portal payment function in ImmiAccount. Include evidence the application is paid for with your application.
For other payment options see how to pay.
You can't submit this application in person. Send the application by post or courier to the Parent, Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth at the address on the form. Include all required documents and forms with your application.
If any of the above steps are incomplete, your application may be invalid. We do not process invalid applications. We will notify you if this is the case, and if requested, return your application.
Do not send original documents with your application, only send certified copies. Keep a copy of your completed application for your own records, including any supporting documents.
Step 4
After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application and documents. See what you can and must do after you apply.
Status updates
We can't provide you with updates on your application's progress within normal processing times. We will let you know if you need to provide anything further.
Travel
Tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application. We need to know because you must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when we make our decision.
If you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return.
Learn about visa expiry.
Health exams
We will let you know if you need health examinations.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Send more information
If you did not send us all documents when you applied, send them to the Parent, Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth at the address on the form. We might also ask you to provide more information.
Stay lawful
Make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
When you applied for this visa, you were granted a bridging visa. If your current visa expires before we decide on your application, the bridging visa will start. You can stay in Australia on the bridging visa while we process your new visa application.
Do not cancel your current visa. If you do, you will:
- be staying in Australia unlawfully
- not be eligible for a bridging visa
Learn more about visa expiry.
Pay the second instalment
Pay the second instalment when we tell you to. We will send you an invoice for the instalment after you have met all other requirements for the visa.
You must pay the instalment or we can't grant the visa.
Add family members
You can include your dependent child or stepchild in your visa application.
You can add family members to an application after you have lodged it. You cannot add them after we have decided on your application.
The application must include evidence of their relationship to you.
Members of your family must show they meet our:
- health requirement
- character requirements
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF).
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).
Send written notification or your forms to the office your submitted your application.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:
- changes to your phone number, address or passport
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application
See what to do if your situation changes.
Assurance of support
You need to provide an assurance of support when we ask you to.
Learn more about assurances of support.
Step 5
Visa outcome
You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when we decide on your application. We will let you know our decision in writing.
Keep a copy of our decision.
If we refuse your visa we will let you know in writing. We will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision
We will not refund the application fee if we refuse your application.
In Australia
What you must do when you have this visa
You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.
Tell us about a change in your situation
See what to do if your situation changes.
What you can do on your visa
Check your Resident Return visa expiry, visa conditions, work and study entitlements in VEVO.
See how long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency starts on the day we grant the visa.
Access to Australian Government Benefits
As a newly arrived resident, you may have to wait before you are able to access certain Australian Government payments and benefits. Further information is available on the Human Services website.
Travelling on your visa
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date we grant this visa until the travel validity expires.
If you want to travel after the initial 5-year travel validity:
- you will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) so that you can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
- you might also want to consider Australian citizenship. If you become an Australian citizen, you don't require a visa to enter Australia. You will need to apply for an Australian passport and use it to leave and re-enter Australia. See more about eligibility requirements and current processing times for Australian citizenship
To see when your travel validity ends, use VEVO.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.
Working
With this visa, you become a permanent resident. This means you can work and study. You are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Bringing a family member
As an Australian permanent resident, you might be able to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
To find a visa for your family member, explore visa options.
Becoming an Australian citizen
After a certain time, you might be eligible for Australian citizenship. Find out more about becoming a citizen.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency starts on the day we grant the visa.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.
Ensure your visa is still valid
See what to do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.
At the border
Departures SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
After you leave
Proving you have been to Australia
Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.
