Family and Partner Visa News

Established Limits for Parent and Other Family Visas in 2025

The Australian Government has determined the maximum number of visas that will be granted across several family visa categories for the 2024-2025 financial year. This decision was formalised through Legislative Instrument LIN 25/018, which took effect in March 2025. These established caps are intended to manage the considerable demand for these visas and facilitate an orderly processing system. Consequently, individuals applying for these visas should prepare for potentially extended processing durations.

Specifically, Contributory Parent visas, encompassing subclasses 143, 864, 173, and 884, have been capped at 6,800 places, a figure that incorporates 112 places allocated for the Subclass 143 Retiree Pathway. For Parent (Non-Contributory) visas, which include subclasses 103 and 804, the limit has been set at 1,700 places, with 13 of these designated for the Subclass 103 Retiree Pathway. A smaller cap of 500 places has been applied to the Other Family visa category, which covers Aged Dependent Relative (subclasses 114, 838), Remaining Relative (subclasses 115, 835), and Carer visas (subclasses 116, 836).

2025 Family Stream Migration Program Allocations

In May 2024, the government announced the planning levels for the 2024-2025 permanent Migration Program, establishing the total program size at 185,000 places. Within this comprehensive figure, the Family stream has been designated 52,500 places, which accounts for approximately 28 per cent of the entire program.

This Family stream allocation is further specified according to visa subcategories. Partner visas, which are processed in line with demand, represent 40,500 of these places. The total allocation for Parent visas stands at 8,500 places. Child visas, also managed on a demand-driven basis, have been assigned 3,000 places, while the capped Other Family visa category has been allocated 500 places.

Family Visa Processing Progress and Updates for 2025

Processing durations for a significant number of family visas, particularly those in the Parent and Other Family categories, continue to be substantial. As of late February to April 2025, it was understood that Contributory Parent visa applications with queue dates up to February 2018 were undergoing processing. For Parent (Non-Contributory) visas, applications with queue dates up to December 2012 were under assessment, and Aged Parent (Non-Contributory) visa applications with queue dates up to January 2013 were being actioned.

By 30 April 2025, Carer visa applications holding queue dates up to 31 July 2023, along with Remaining Relative and Aged Dependent Relative visa applications with queue dates up to 28 February 2013, had been released for final processing. There are also suggestions of potential increases to Visa Application Charges for some family visas, such as Partner visas, from 1 July 2025. In contrast, processing for the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa was notably more efficient, with 90 per cent of applications being finalised in approximately four months as of July 2024.

Other Family Visas

• Child Visa (subclass 101/ 802)
• Remaining Relative (subclass 835/115/) (Permanent)
• Aged Dependant Relative (subclass 838/114) (Permanent)
• Carer (Subclass 836/116) (Permanent)
• New Zealand Citizenship Family Relationship Visa (subclass 461) (Temporary)

Types of Contributory Parent Visas

These Visas are made up of two main types, consisting of:

• Contributory Parent Visas (temporary and permanent)
• Contributory Aged Parent Visas (temporary and permanent)

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be able to demonstrate one of the following:

• At least half of your children are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens who are usually resident in Australia;

or

• You have more children living in Australia as Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens than in any other country.

Entitlements of Contributory Parent Visa

This is a permanent residence visa. It lets you and any family members who have also been granted this visa to:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely;
• Work and study in Australia;
• Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses;
• Apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible);
• Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence;

Family and Partner Application Charges

The process for applying for an Australian family and partner visa necessitates the payment of mandatory Government Visa Application Charges (VAC), with the fees varying according to the specific type of family and partner visa and the number of applicants involved.