Visitor Visa — Sponsored Family Stream
Sponsored Family Visitor Visa
The sponsored family stream of the subclass 600 visitor visa allows an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible organisation to sponsor a family member to visit Australia for up to 12 months. The sponsor accepts legal obligations for the visitor's conduct and departure.
Sponsored family stream — how it works
The sponsored family stream is used when a family member in Australia wishes to bring an overseas relative to visit. The Australian sponsor provides a formal declaration accepting responsibility for the visitor, including ensuring the visitor complies with visa conditions and departs before the visa expires.
In some cases the Department may require the sponsor to lodge an Assurance of Support, which is a financial bond. If the visitor overstays or breaches conditions, the bond may be forfeited and the sponsor may be subject to a sponsorship ban.
A sponsor who has previously sponsored a visitor who breached visa conditions is generally barred from sponsoring another visitor in the same visa class for five years. The sponsored family stream carries greater obligations than the tourist stream and should not be used as a default for any family visit.
Sponsor obligations and risks
Departure responsibility
The sponsor is responsible for ensuring the visitor departs Australia before the visa expires. This obligation is legal, not merely administrative.
Assurance of Support bond
The Department may require an Assurance of Support bond as a condition of the grant. The bond is held as security against the visitor accessing certain social services or overstaying.
Sponsorship ban on prior breach
If a person previously sponsored under the sponsored family stream breached their visa conditions, the sponsor is typically prohibited from sponsoring another visitor in the same class for five years.
One active sponsorship at a time
A sponsor may not sponsor a new visitor in this stream while a previously sponsored visitor's visa is still in effect, unless the new sponsorship relates to a family member of the current sponsored visitor.
12 months
Maximum stay
5 years
Sponsorship ban on breach
Bond
May be required by Department
Legal
Sponsor obligation is enforceable
Why instruct Visa Plan?
Sponsor obligation advice
Many sponsors do not fully understand the legal obligations they are accepting. We advise sponsors on the full scope of their obligations before the application is lodged.
Stream selection
The sponsored family stream is not always the appropriate stream for a family visit. Where the tourist stream is more suitable, we advise accordingly and explain the difference in obligations.
Bond and assurance of support guidance
Where the Department requires an Assurance of Support, we advise on the bond process, the conditions attached, and the consequences of a bond forfeiture.
Sponsored family visitor visa information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at April 2026. Sponsor obligations, bond requirements, and eligibility criteria are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.