4 Things You Need To Know About The Parent Visa Australia

A break-down of the new temporary parent visa- Australia

The Department of Home Affairs Australia has just announced that the highly anticipated temporary parent visa will start accepting children’s sponsorship applications from 17 April 2019.

Here is what you need to know about parent visa:

Who qualifies for the parent visa?

This is a visa for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens, to live in Australia temporarily. Parents who are waiting for the grant of a permanent parent visa can also apply for this temporary visa, so that they can live in Australia during the lengthy permanent parent visa processing queues.

Unlike previous parent visas, the parent does not need to meet the ‘balance of family test’, which means they can be eligible even if only one of their children lives in Australia.

How long will the visa last?

Parents can apply for either a three-year visa or a five-year visa. Parents will usually not be allowed to work in Australia, and they cannot receive any social security benefits while in Australia.

Parents can apply for a further stay at the end of their visa, but must go outside Australia for 90 days to reapply. A parent can only be granted a maximum of 10 years on this visa. This visa is not a pathway to permanent residency.

Am I eligible to be a Sponsor?

To be able to sponsor a parent, you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is at least 18 years old. You must have been residing in Australia for the last 4 years, and meet a minimum household income threshold.

Children can only sponsor up to two parents in total.

As a sponsor, you are expected to provide financial support to your parent, including accommodation when they arrive in Australia. You also need to have good character and be able to pay any outstanding public health debts that your parent might incur in Australia.

The sponsorship will cost $420, and must be processed and approved before your parent can lodge their visa application.

What are the requirements for the parent visa applicant?

To be able to lodge a visa application, you must meet the following criteria:
• You must be sponsored by your child (biological child, step-child or adoptive child), who is an
Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Your child’s sponsorship must have already been approved
• You must be able to provide evidence of financial capacity
• You must purchase private health insurance for your time in Australia
• You must meet health, character and national security visa requirements
The Visa Application Charges will be:
• $5,000 for the three-year visa; or
• $10,000 for the five-year visa

If you are interested in applying for this visa, or if you are interested in sponsoring your parents, Rostron Carlyle Rojas Lawyers will be happy to assist you.

Anna Gunning-Stevenson, Rostron Carlyle Rojas Lawyers

Associate

Contact us for a consultation today
Peter Kuek-Kong Lee, Special Counsel and Registered Migration Agent MARN 0427478 p.lee@rcrlaw.com.au

Anna Gunning-Stevenson, Associate and Registered Migration Agent MARN 1797244 a.gunningstevenson@rcrlaw.com.au
(07) 3009 8444