What are the requirements for including family members in my PR application?

When applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia, you may be able to include eligible family members in your application as secondary applicants. The specific requirements for including family members depend on the visa subclass you are applying for, but there are general criteria that apply across most visa types.

Here are the key requirements for including family members in your PR application:

1. Eligibility of Family Members

The family members you can include generally fall into the following categories:

Partner: Your spouse or de facto partner. A de facto partner is someone with whom you have a genuine, ongoing relationship and live together in a domestic situation.
Dependent Children: Your biological or adopted children who are financially dependent on you and meet the age and dependency criteria (typically under 18 years of age, or older if they are dependent due to a disability or ongoing education).
Other Family Members: In some cases, you may be able to include other family members, such as:
- Parents: If they are dependent on you financially or if you meet specific criteria for including them (e.g., through a Parent Visa).
- Other dependent relatives: This may include siblings, grandparents, or other relatives who depend on you financially or require care.

2. Age and Dependency Criteria

Children: Generally, children under 18 years old can be included as secondary applicants. If they are over 18, they may still be included if they are financially dependent on you (e.g., if they are in full-time education or have a disability).
Partner: Your partner must be in a genuine and continuing relationship with you. They may be your spouse (married under Australian law) or de facto partner (living together for at least 12 months or having a child together).
Other Relatives: For other relatives, you must prove their dependency on you (e.g., through financial support, health care needs, etc.). Parents or dependent relatives may be included in some family reunion visa subclasses.

3. Documentation Requirements

To include family members in your PR application, you need to provide:

Proof of Relationship: Documents like marriage certificates (for partners), birth certificates (for children), and adoption papers (for adopted children).
Proof of Dependency: Evidence of financial dependence, such as bank statements, tax records, and proof of support (for children over 18 or other dependent relatives).
Health and Character Checks: All family members included in the application will need to undergo medical and character checks (police clearances) as part of the visa process.

4. Application Process

Primary Applicant: The primary applicant (the main applicant who is applying for the PR) must meet the eligibility requirements of the chosen visa subclass, and their family members can be included as secondary applicants.
Visa Subclass Requirements: Different visa subclasses (e.g., skilled migration, family reunion, etc.) may have different rules on which family members can be included and what documentation is needed. For example, skilled migration visas may have specific requirements for including a partner or children, while family-based visas may focus on parents or dependent relatives.

5. Age Limits for Dependent Children

Children who are over 18 but financially dependent on you or enrolled in full-time education may still be eligible to be included in your PR application.
If your child has a disability, they may also be eligible to be included, even if they are older than 18.

6. Health and Character Requirements

All family members included in the application must meet health and character requirements. This may involve undergoing medical exams and providing police clearances, depending on the family member's age and nationality.

7. Visa Subclasses and Family Inclusion

Skilled Migration Visas: For example, the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) allow you to include your partner and dependent children.
Family and Partner Visas: If you are applying for a partner visa or a family reunion visa, you may include your children, and in some cases, dependent parents or other relatives.
Parent Visas: Certain parent visa subclasses allow you to include dependent children in your application if you are applying to reunite with your children in Australia.

Including family members in your Australian PR application is possible, but it depends on the eligibility of each member, the visa subclass, and the documentation provided. The most common family members that can be included are your partner and dependent children. However, other relatives may also be eligible depending on the circumstances. Ensure that all documentation is accurate and comprehensive to meet the requirements for your application. It may be helpful to consult a migration agent to assist with the process, especially if you are including multiple family members or have complex circumstances.

← Back to Frequently Asked Questions