FAMILY STREAM - OTHER FAMILY INCLUDING PARENTS

The Family Stream of Australia's Migration Program enables the reunion in Australia of certain other family members of extended families such as parents, orphan relatives, carers, aged dependent relatives, and remaining relatives.

Aged dependent relative

An Aged Dependent Relative is a person who is old enough to be granted an Australian age pension, who is single and has been dependent and remains dependent on an Australian relative. For men the qualifying age for an Australian age pension is 65 and for women it is gradually being increased from 60 to 65 (to July 2001 the qualifying age is 61.5).

The relative in Australia must be a close relative. That is, a child, adopted child, parent, brother or sister, grandchild, uncle or aunt, niece or nephew (or step-relative of the same degree).

The Aged Dependent Relative must demonstrate that they are wholly or substantially dependent on the Australian relative for financial support for the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing, and that the support has been provided for a reasonable period (normally three years).

Remaining Relative

A Remaining Relative is a person who has no close family ties outside Australia and is the brother, sister, adult child or step equivalent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. An applicant and spouse (if any) must not have any near relatives, (that is, a parent, sibling, non-dependent child or step equivalent) living in the same country, and no more than three near relatives residing outside Australia.

A person who entered Australia as a remaining relative cannot sponsor another person as a remaining relative.

Carer

A Carer is a person willing and able to give substantial, continuing assistance to an Australian relative (or a member of their family unit) who has a medical condition that impairs their ability to attend to the practical aspects of daily life.

The need for assistance must be likely to continue for at least two years. It must also be shown that the assistance being offered by the overseas relative cannot reasonably be obtained from other relatives or from any other source in Australia.



Working Age Parent

A Working Age Parent is one who is not old enough to be granted an Australian age pension. For men the qualifying age for an Australian age pension is 65 and for women the qualifying age is gradually being increased from 60 to 65 (to July 2001, the qualifying age is 61.5).

To apply as a Working Age Parent you must be the parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. A Working Age Parent can only apply to migrate to Australia as a parent if they are outside Australia.

Aged Parent

An Aged Parent is one who is old enough to be granted an Australian age pension. To apply as an Aged Parent you must be the parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. An Aged Parent can apply to migrate to Australia if they are in or outside Australia.

Contributory Parent

This new parent visa allows for faster processing with more places available, and subject to payment of higher fees and bond.

Sponsorship and nomination

Other Family and Parent applicants must be sponsored or nominated by their relative in Australia. For applications made outside Australia, the main applicant and any dependents included in the application must be sponsored. For applications made in Australia, the main applicant and any dependents included in the application must be nominated.

The sponsor or nominator must be either an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and would usually be 18 years of age or older.