Child Visas

There is no special bond quite like parent and child. If you do not want to miss out on any special moments of your child’s development, then you have come to the right place. 

Generally, an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand parent can sponsor their biological, adopted or step child/ren to Australia. 

The child needs to be dependent on the Australian parent, which is defined as being a minor, or alternatively, if they are between the ages of 18 and 25, they will need to show either dependency on their Australian parent. Those who are 25 or older may satisfy the requirements if they are physically or mentally incapacitated and are unable to work, but these cases can be quite tricky. 

Australia will not grant a child visa if there is a potential that removal or relocation of the child to Australia is in contravention to the custody laws in their country of origin/residence, or is not in the best interests of the child. It is therefore paramount that either the child’s other natural parent consents to the child to live permanently in Australia or the Court grants full custody and permission for the child to relocate to Australia permanently.

Once a child visa is granted, they will have multiple entries to and from Australia, study, live in Australia and have access to Australia’s healthcare system, Medicare. The child will also be eligible for Australian citizenship subject to residency and character requirements. 

If you have a relative who is a potential carer that is willing and able to provide medical or physical care for an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident who has a permanent or enduring disability and requires ongoing care, then this visa may be for you.

The carer visa requires the coordination of many stakeholders to support you in satisfying the requirements of the visa. 

The Australian citizen or permanent resident (the Caree) is required to have a permanent disability that requires ongoing care for more than 2 years. They are also required to have an impairment assessment and exceed the threshold score. If you are a recipient of the disability pension from the Department of Social Services for disability and carers, then it may be a good indication that you may meet the definition, albeit not a prerequisite. 

If you have a positive assessment, you may sponsor your relative for a carer visa.

Another key consideration to ask is, why aren’t local Australian healthcare, disability support, and other community services    available to your caree’s condition? These are all complex questions  and given the compassionate and sensitive nature to each unique case, there are no two cases or needs are the same and therefore, requires professional guidance to the complexities of a carer visa. 

As the name suggests, if you are the only remaining relative in your home country and all your near relatives usually reside in Australia as an Australian citizen, an Australian Permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, then you may be eligible for this visa. 

The Department of Home Affair will comprehensively look at your immediate family relationships, extended relatives and your partner’s in their assessment of your near relatives which may include a DNA test.

From time to time, there will be extraordinary circumstances where your near relative might be missing (due to natural disasters or unrest in the country), claims to be deceased or other. The family may still be experiencing grief during such a sensitive time but it can be quite upsetting if the case officer asks for an endless pile of documents to prove that your near relative is missing/ deceased or worse, alleges that they’re not missing or very well and alive.

In such events, allow Longton Migration to take the stress off from you and your family and allow us to guide you through this sensitive period. 

Overtime, the definition of family has changed from a traditional sense to a new, fluid definition in the 21st century. Previously, a traditional family entailed a mother, father and their children (also known as the nuclear family) but for many cultures, the family unit extends to relatives (aunt, uncle, grandparents etc). Afterall, the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society.

Fortunately, the Australian government recognises this and allows an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen to sponsor their aged dependent relative visa to live permanently in Australia. 

The aged relative will need to meet age requirements. Such requirements are in line with age requirements as set out by the Department of Social Services – Seniors Age.

The aged relative and the sponsor also need to prove evidence of dependency for necessities for at least the last 3 years and why they were unable to be dependent on other relatives aside from the sponsor. Every family is unique with their own set of circumstances, let Longton Migration assist you in navigating through this visa for you and your family.