Apply for
Family and Partner Visa
Reunite With Your Loved Ones and Build a Long-Term Future in Australia
Bringing your partner or family to Australia is one of the most meaningful steps in your migration journey. Whether you’re sponsoring your spouse, supporting your parents to visit long-term, or bringing your children to join you, Partner and Family visas help you live together, plan PR pathways, and build a stable life in Australia.
Knowbal Migration supports thousands of migrants across Australia and beyond with reliable, community-first migration advice. Our goal is simple — make your family visa process clear, honest, and stress-free.
TYPES OF
Family and Partner Visa
| Key Feature | Partner Visas | Parent Visas | Child Visas | Other Family Visas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | For spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, PR holders, or eligible NZ citizens. | For parents of Australian citizens/PRs seeking to migrate permanently or stay long-term. | For dependent children of an Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen. | For relatives needing long-term support or having no near family outside Australia. |
| Key Relationship Requirement | Must prove married or de facto relationship (12 months or registered). | Must prove parental relationship + “settled Australian sponsor.” | Must be the biological, adopted or step-child; under 18 (or dependent student or unable to work due to a disability). | Depends on visa: must be a dependent aged relative, remaining relative, or carer. |
| Financial Requirement | No formal income threshold, but sponsor must meet character & sponsorship approval. | Higher financial commitments (Assurance of Support required for contributory visas). | No strict financial test, but sponsor must support the child. | Varies — some visas require showing long-term dependency or care needs. |
| Processing Time (To Know more click here) | 2–5 years depending on subclass & queue. |
Processing time frames for new applications (estimate): Contributory Parent visas: 15 years Parent & Aged Parent visas: 33 years Temporary options available. |
Generally faster than partner/parent visas (1–3 years). | Processing times vary significantly. Remaining Relative visas are capped and queued; as at 31 October 2025, applications with a queue date up to 31 May 2013 were being released for final processing, and the Department’s current estimated processing timeframe is around 22 years. |
| Work Rights | Once your onshore Partner visa (Subclass 820) is granted, you will have full work rights. In most cases, you will also have work rights while you are on a Bridging Visa that becomes active after you lodge the Partner visa application and your current visa ceases (subject to the conditions on your Bridging Visa). | Typically, you will only receive full work rights once the visa is granted. If you apply for a Parent visa offshore, you generally will not be granted a Bridging Visa, so you will not have work rights while waiting unless you hold another visa that already allows you to work. | Full work and study rights once visa granted. | Granted according to visa type; usually full rights. |
| Sponsor Requirements | Sponsor must pass character checks + no sponsorship bans. | The sponsor must be “settled” in Australia for at least two years, and the applicant must meet the Balance of Family Test. | Sponsor must be the parent or eligible guardian. | Sponsor must be an eligible relative or Australian family member. |
| Health & Character | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| PR Pathway | Yes — partner visas are a direct path to PR. | Yes — Parent visas are generally permanent residence visas, and the temporary Parent visa stream (valid for two years) can provide a pathway to permanent residency. | Yes — child visas lead to PR. | All pathways lead to permanent residency (PR). |
| Typical Costs (To Know more click here) | AUD $9,365 |
Contributory Parent visas: AUD 48,640 for Subclass 143 and Subclass 864 (direct PR), and AUD 32,525 for Subclass 173 and Subclass 884 (temporary Parent visa). Non-contributory Parent visas: around AUD 7,345, but with significantly longer wait times. |
AUD $3,055+ | Varies: $1,710–$4,990 depending on visa. |
| Best For | Couples planning to settle long-term. | Families wanting to reunite with parents long-term. | Parents wanting children to live permanently with them. | Situations involving dependency, care needs, or no remaining family overseas. |
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
Applying for the Family & Partner Visa can feel complicated, but Knowbal is here to support you at every stage. Here’s how we simplify the application process
Initial Consultation
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Assigning an Expert Agent
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Document Preparation
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
Submitting the Application
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Ongoing Updates
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
FAQs
Yes — many international students start their Partner Visa pathway while still holding a Student Visa or 485. The key is understanding which subclass to apply for (onshore vs offshore) and how it affects your work rights, bridging visa timing, and PR pathway. A short consultation helps you avoid lodging the wrong subclass.
Yes, depending on your situation.
You may qualify through:
relationship registration (in eligible states), compelling circumstances, cultural or religious commitments, or alternative evidence of a genuine partnership.
Students often underestimate how much usable proof they already have — we structure it effectively for you.
No. Your current visa stays active until a decision is made. You will usually receive a Bridging Visa A if you hold any substantive visa, but it only becomes active after your current visa expires. Understanding this timing is crucial for work rights, travel (BVB), and planning your studies or job in suburbs like Tarneit or Clayton.
Living separately due to study, work, or housing is common for students. DHA focuses on genuineness, not physical cohabitation. Consistent communication, joint plans, finances, travel, and declarations can still form a strong application if structured correctly.
A visitor visa doesn’t directly lead to PR, but your behaviour on a visitor visa can impact future applications. Complying with your conditions (no work, leaving on time, correct stream) helps build a positive immigration history, which is important when later applying for student, partner or skilled visas.
If you’re on a Bridging Visa A, you must return to Australia before it ceases (or your application may be taken to be withdrawn). Offshore applicants can generally apply for a Bridging Visa B before travelling; they can travel, but must enter Australia after the visa grant or on an appropriate visa. Students often get caught out on this — travel timing matters.
The best option depends on your visa status, your partner’s location, your financial circumstances, and your timeline. Offshore partner visas typically require you to be outside Australia at key stages (including grant), which can affect when you can enter Australia and may involve more time spent travelling. Onshore partner visas can offer bridging visa continuity and, in many cases, work rights while your application is processed. Choosing the wrong subclass can delay reunification — the right approach depends on your exact situation.
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