Family Migration Lawyers for Parent, Child and Other Family Visas
Bringing family to Australia usually means a long wait, a sponsorship to get right and a choice between visas that look similar but work very differently. Our migration lawyers help Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens work out which family visa fits, then prepare and lodge it.
This page covers parents, children and other relatives. If you are sponsoring a husband, wife or de facto partner, please see our partner visa lawyer page. You will know the cost up front, and you can meet us in Sydney, Melbourne or by video call.
- Fixed fees, agreed up front
- Offices in Sydney and Melbourne
- Video consultations Australia-wide
- Led by Principal Lawyer Tina Nematian
How we help
Contributory parent visas (143, 173)
For parents who want permanent residence without the longest queue, the contributory route has a temporary stage (subclass 173) and a permanent one (subclass 143). We explain how the two stages fit together, the sponsorship step and the cost structure before you commit.
Learn moreAged and non-contributory parent visas
Other permanent parent options include the Parent (103), Aged Parent (804) and Contributory Aged Parent (864) visas. They are all capped and queued, so we look at your parent's age, your circumstances and the realistic timing before suggesting a pathway.
Learn moreSponsored parent visa (870)
The subclass 870 lets a parent stay for up to 3 or 5 years at a time. It is temporary and does not lead to permanent residence on its own. We help with the sponsorship, the insurance and financial requirements and the choice of stay length.
Learn moreChild visas (101, 802)
A child outside Australia generally applies for a subclass 101 and a child already in Australia for a subclass 802. We help with the family relationship evidence, custody and consent documents, and the parent sponsorship that sits behind the application.
Learn moreOther family visas
Carer, Aged Dependent Relative and Remaining Relative visas are open but capped and queued, and Orphan Relative visas also exist. These are narrow categories, so we check early whether your relative can meet the criteria and what waiting may involve.
Adoption and step-family situations
Families formed by adoption, remarriage or changed custody often raise extra questions about who counts as a child or parent for visa purposes. We review the paperwork and legal parentage before an application is built on a shaky foundation.
Refusals and review
If a family visa has been refused, we review the reasons and explain the options that may be open, including review at the Administrative Review Tribunal. Deadlines for most onshore refusals are short and cannot be extended, so contact us promptly.
Learn morePlanning the whole family
Sometimes the best answer combines visas, such as a parent staying on a temporary visa while a permanent application waits in the queue. We map the options across your family so each step supports the next one.
Learn more
Parent visas: choosing between waiting, paying and staying temporarily
Parent visas are where most families need advice, because the choices trade time against cost and certainty. Home Affairs states that demand for Parent visas is greater than the number of places available each year, so all of them are capped and queued.
In broad terms, the options are:
- Contributory Parent (subclasses 143 and 173). A higher cost than the non-contributory visas, in return for a shorter queue. The subclass 173 is the temporary stage, the 143 the permanent one.
- Contributory Aged Parent (subclasses 864 and 884). The equivalent pathway for parents who have reached the age requirement.
- Parent (103) and Aged Parent (804). A lower application cost, with a much longer wait in the queue.
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870). A temporary stay of up to 3 or 5 years at a time, without joining the permanent queue.
None of these is the right fit for everyone. A parent in good health who is happy to visit may be well served by a temporary option, while a parent who needs to settle may be weighing up the contributory route. Your own finances, your sponsor's circumstances and your parent's age all affect the answer.
Parent visas have changed in recent years. Several permanent parent visa subclasses can now be lodged online, and some aged parent rules have been amended. Our guides cover the latest on online parent visa applications and the aged parent visa changes.
We do not publish costs or queue dates here because they move. Our guides carry the current figures with their sources, and Home Affairs publishes the official queue release dates for parent visas.
Child visas and other relatives
If your child is overseas, the permanent Child visa is the subclass 101. If your child is already in Australia, it is the subclass 802. Either way, the application turns on the relationship between you and your child and on your sponsorship as an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Our guide to the child visa subclasses 101 and 802 explains the process in detail.
Other relatives have narrower options. Home Affairs lists Carer, Aged Dependent Relative and Remaining Relative visas, which are all capped and queued, and Orphan Relative visas. Because eligibility is tightly defined, we usually start with a short consultation to confirm whether your relative fits before anyone spends money on an application.
Where a relative cannot meet the criteria for a permanent visa, we can talk through whether another visa, such as a visitor or temporary parent visa, might suit the situation better.
Why use a lawyer for a family visa
Family visas are slow, so mistakes cost years. An application that is refused, or that sits in the queue before a problem is found, can set a family back a long way.
- Choosing the right visa first. Similar-looking visas lead to very different outcomes in cost and timing.
- Sponsorship and evidence. We check that your sponsorship, relationship documents and identity evidence line up.
- Health and character. Both can affect parents, children and sponsors, and are better dealt with early.
- Someone to act if things go wrong. We are a law firm, so we can act in reviews and related legal steps.
You can meet Tina Nematian, our Principal Lawyer, or Ivana Djoneski, our Immigration Practice Lead, in Sydney or Melbourne, or by video call from anywhere in Australia. If you are in Sydney, see our Sydney immigration lawyers.
Talk to a lawyer about your situation
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We believe in the power of migration.
Simplifying Immigration, Connecting Humanity.
Gwen Coghill
1 year ago
Tina and Deepika have guided me through, what felt to me, like a complex case.
They answered my endless questions with empathy and used terms I would understand. I was lacking confidence of the process at times, but I was reassured by both of them when needed. Overall a pleasure to work with. Thank you for getting me over every hurdle that popped up and managing to have all our visas granted in such a short amount of time. I am so glad that I found Tina again, I was also so pleased to find she had her own law firm from the last time we spoke. Very well deserved.
Reza
1 year ago
We had the pleasure of working with Tina and her team recently. My partner and I were in a very stressful situation due to a sudden change in our circumstances. Tina gave us a clear plan, spent enough time addressing our concerns, and kept us informed throughout the process. She and her team helped us effectively with my wife's visa within a very short timeframe. I would strongly recommend One Planet Migration Law.
Taraneh Kassiri
1 year ago
Tina’s help was indispensable when I began the process of moving to Australia. She helped my husband and I work through the paperwork and gain clarity on what was needed. Without her, the process would have been so much more difficult. We’re very grateful for her assistance, which she carried out professionally, responsiveness, clarity and joy
Josh
1 year ago
So great at their jobs. Absolutely a dream to work with. These people go above and beyond and as a Canadian lawyer myself, I cannot think of another time I've worked professionally with people who are so kind, diligent, and competent. I cannot recommend One Planet enough.
shaghayegh lotfi
1 year ago
I’m incredibly grateful to Tina Masrour, Deepika, and Rhel from One Planet for their outstanding support with my parents’ Subclass 600 Tourist Visa application. Thanks to their expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail, both of my parents received their visas with a smooth and successful outcome.
I truly appreciate their hard work, responsibility, and patience throughout the process. They were clear, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping us. I highly recommend One Planet Immigration to anyone in need of expert immigration assistance. Thank you again for everything!
Anton Jordaan
1 year ago
Appreciate the meeting with Tina. She is an experienced professional who thinks laterally, and methodically presented various visa application and success data in a way that guides and supports informed decision making.
Thivanka Silva
1 year ago
Figuring out the PR process felt really confusing, but One Planet Migration really helped me find the right way forward. Tina was super helpful and gave me so much useful information. If you're trying to understand the PR process and want great support, especially from someone as helpful as Tina, I definitely recommend One Planet Migration.
Mel
2 years ago
Thank you Deepika and Tina for assisting me all throughout my visa application. It's been a breeze and I am grateful.
Naim Smith
2 years ago
Tina Masrour and the team at One Planet Migration Law were a great resource in guiding us through our application for migration to Australia. From the initial consultation, to getting my qualifications recognized by Engineers Australia and submitting an expression of interest on our behalf they demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the immigration process, providing clear and accurate guidance at every step. They took the time to understand our unique circumstances and tailored their advice accordingly. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering migration to Australia.
Talk to our migration lawyers about your family
Tell us who you want to bring to Australia, where they are now and what you have tried so far. We will explain the options that may be open to you and the cost up front. You can book a consultation on our booking page.
Parent, child and family visas: our guides
Plain-English guides written by our lawyers. General information only, not legal advice for your situation.
Student Visa Dependent Family Rules in Australia: Who Can Still Bring Family
From 2 October 2026 most Student visa applicants cannot include a partner or children. The four exemptions, the Pacific and ASEAN rule and who is...
Subclass 870 Visa: The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa Explained
How the Subclass 870 visa lets a parent stay up to 3 or 5 years, the sponsorship step, the income test, charges and health insurance rule.
Child Visa Australia: Subclass 101 and 802 Explained
How to bring your child to Australia on a permanent Child visa. Subclass 101 offshore vs 802 onshore, age and dependency rules, sponsorship and...
Online Parent Visa Applications: 2026 Update for Australian Families
Parent visa applications for subclasses 103, 804, 143 and 864 must now be lodged online via ImmiAccount. Learn what changed.
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143): 2026 Costs and Wait Times
2026 guide to the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143): real costs, wait times, balance of family test and Assurance of Support, explained plainly.
Dependent Visa Australia: How to Bring Your Family on Your Visa in 2026
How to add your partner, children, and other dependents to your Australian visa. Covers costs, age limits, subsequent entrants, and which visas allow
All 13 guides on parent, child and family visas
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Invitation Round – November 2025
- Leaving Iran: Visa Options for Family & Friends in Conflict Zones
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) – Invitation Round Breakdown
- Migration Law Update – Aged Parent Visa Changes!
- Huge Win for Family Violence Survivors and Children with Medical Conditions: Key Amendments to Skilled Visa Applications
- Comprehensive Support for Visa Holders Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence in Australia
- Parent Visas — An Overview of the Options (Updated with 870 Visa & Cost Breakdown)
Frequently asked questions
Can I sponsor my parents to come to Australia?
You may be able to if you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and your parent meets the visa criteria. The main options are the contributory, non-contributory and temporary sponsored parent visas. Our parent visa options guide compares them. A consultation can confirm which suits your family.
What is the difference between a contributory and non-contributory parent visa?
Contributory visas (subclasses 143 and 173, or 864 and 884 for aged parents) carry a higher cost and a shorter queue. Non-contributory visas such as the Parent (103) cost less but wait much longer. All parent visas are capped and queued, so timing depends on queue release dates published by Home Affairs.
Is the sponsored parent visa (870) permanent?
No. The subclass 870 is a temporary visa that lets a parent stay for up to 3 or 5 years at a time. It does not lead to permanent residence on its own. Some families use it alongside a permanent application waiting in the queue. See our 870 guide for the detail.
How long do family visas take?
It varies by visa and changes over time. Parent and Other Family visas are capped and queued, with release dates published by Home Affairs, so waits can be long. Child visas follow different processing arrangements. Home Affairs also publishes processing guides for each visa. We do not quote timeframes on this page, but we can explain the current picture in a consultation.
Can I bring my child to Australia?
You may be able to apply for a Child visa. The subclass 101 is for a child outside Australia and the subclass 802 for a child in Australia. Eligibility depends on your relationship with the child and your sponsorship. Our child visa guide sets out how each version works, and we can check your documents.
What other relatives can I sponsor?
Home Affairs lists Carer, Aged Dependent Relative, Remaining Relative and Orphan Relative visas. Each has strict criteria, and the first three are capped and queued. Many relatives do not meet them, so a short consultation first can save time and application costs. We will tell you plainly if another visa suits your situation better.
What if my family visa is refused?
Contact us as soon as you receive the decision. Review rights may be available, including at the Administrative Review Tribunal, and deadlines for most onshore refusals are short and cannot be extended. We can review the reasons and explain the options. Read more on our appeals page and bring the decision letter to your consultation.
Do you also handle partner visas?
Yes. Partner and spouse visas have their own page, where we cover onshore and offshore applications, refusals, sponsor issues and family violence provisions. See our partner visa lawyer page or book a consultation and tell us about your situation. We act for couples applying in Australia and from overseas.
