Balance of Family Test

A clear understanding of the Balance of Family Test is essential to successful grants of certain family visas as it is often a determining factor in eligibility.

What is the Balance of Family Test?    

The Balance of Family Test is a criterion for certain family-related visas, such as Parent Visas. This test is designed to determine the connection of a primary applicant for said visa to an immediate family member residing in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident.   

For example, to sponsor your parents for parent visas, they must pass the Balance of Family Test. It requires:  

• At least half of the applicant’s children should be Australian citizens or permanent residents, or  
• More of the applicant’s children must be residing in Australia than in any other single country.  
  • Common scenarios in which the test is passed include where:
    • 1 eligible child resides in Australia with 1 other child in another country;
    • 2 eligible children reside in Australia, and 1 other child in country A, 1 other child in country B;
    • 3 eligible children reside in Australia, 2 other children in country A, and 2 other children in country B
• The age of applicant’s children must be over 18 years old.  

Australian Parent Visa Criteria

• Aged Parent Visa
• Contributory Aged Parent Visa
• Contributory Parent Visa
• Parent Visa
• Sponsored Parent Visa

Family Members of New Zealand   

Certain family members of New Zealand citizens with a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) might qualify to sponsor their parents for parent visas. An eligible sponsoring New Zealand citizen typically meets the residency requirements in Australia, which involve being lawfully resident in Australia for a specified duration. 

Parent Visa
Australian Family Visas
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