If I settle in Australia, can my family join me according to visa rules?
Yes, your family can join you in Australia, though the rules depend on who they are. Your spouse and children under eighteen usually qualify as Members of the Family Unit on your visa. Parents can join later through the temporary Subclass 870 visa, though this involves longer waits.
If you are settling in Australia and wondering whether your family can follow, the answer is generally yes, but how easily depends on exactly who you mean. Your immediate family has a much smoother path than extended relatives like siblings or cousins.
Who Can Join You And Through Which Route
| Family Member | Pathway |
|---|---|
| Spouse or De Facto Partner | Included as Member of the Family Unit if the relationship is genuine and continuing |
| Children Under 18 | Included as Member of the Family Unit |
| Children 18 to 23 | Can be included if financially dependent, such as full-time students |
| Parents | Temporary Subclass 870, 3 to 5 years, or permanent Subclass 103 or 143 |
| Siblings or Extended Family | Very restrictive, mainly the Remaining Relative visa or regional sponsorship like Subclass 491 |
What Makes Parent Sponsorship Harder
To sponsor your parents on a permanent visa, you must already be an Australian permanent resident or citizen, and you need to meet the Balance of Family Test, meaning at least half of your parents' children live permanently in Australia. These permanent options also carry high financial contributions and multi-year queues, so most families start with the temporary Subclass 870 while waiting.
My Advice
Include your spouse and children in your initial visa application rather than applying separately later, since sponsoring them afterward as Members of the Family Unit adds extra processing time. If you are also planning to bring your parents eventually, research the Subclass 870 temporary option now, since it gets them to Australia far sooner than the permanent queues.
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