Australia offers several dependent visas to help family members of a primary visa holder or permanent resident who lives in the country. The type of dependent visa available depends mainly on these factors: the primary visa held by the principal applicant or the relationship with an Australian citizen.

Here are the main categories of Australian dependent visas available:

  1. Dependent visas for temporary visa holders:
  • Subclass 500: This class is for families with student visa holders, where the spouse can work and the children can study.
  • Subclass 482: For the family of a TSS visa holder
  • Subclass 491: For the family of skilled regional visa holders
     
  1. Partner Visas:
  • Subclass 309/100 (Offshore): For partners applying outside Australia.
  • Subclass 820/801 (Onshore): For partners applying from within Australia.
     
  1. Child visas:
  • Subclass 101: For children outside Australia who want to join their parents.
  • Subclass 802: For children already in Australia who want to join their parents.
  • Subclass 445: A temporary visa for children while their parents' partner visa is being processed.
     
  1. Parent visas:
  • Subclass 103: A permanent visa for parents, but processing times are lengthy.
  • Subclass 143: A contributory parent visa. It's quicker but more expensive.
  • Subclass 870: A temporary visa that allows parents to be sponsored by their children. It doesn't lead to permanent residency.
     
  1. Other dependent visas:
  • Subclass 102: For children who are eligible for adoption.
  • Subclass 114/838: For aged individuals who depend on relatives for support.
  • Subclass 116/836: For those who can provide long-term care to relatives.
  • Subclass 115/835: For people whose immediate family members reside in Australia.