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Fact Sheet 37 - Processing Priorities for Family Stream Migration

The Australian Government has established processing priorities for applicants who apply to migrate under the Family Stream migration.

Family Stream migration includes Partner, Child, Parent and Other Family visa categories. The main requirement for Family Stream visas is the sponsorship of the family member applying.
See: Family Members: All Visa Options

Priority processing times

Application processing times are given priority depending on which Family Stream visa you apply for. The following are examples of priority processing times:

  • Higher priority is given to immediate family such as those applying within the Partner or Child categories. This includes dependent children, children for adoption, orphan relatives, partners and fiancés.
  • Higher priority is given to those applying for Carers visas. Carers fall within the Other Family category. The higher priority is in recognition of the support they provide to Australian residents with a serious medical condition and their contribution to the community.
  • Higher priority is given to those applying for the Contributory Parent visa rather than those applying for the Parent visa within the Parent category.
  • Lower priority is given to other applicants who fall within the Other Family category such as Remaining Relatives, and Aged Dependent Relatives.

Within each Family Stream visa category, applicants are considered in order of the date of lodgement.
See: Family Members: Other Family Visa Options

Expedition of processing times

If you are applying for a Partner or a Child visa and there are compelling or compassionate circumstances, a higher priority processing time may be considered. In such cases, you will need to advise the visa office where your application is being processed and provide evidence to support your claims.
Note: There is no guarantee that your application will be given a higher priority as other applicants may have equally or more compelling and compassionate circumstances. There are a limited number of visas that can be granted in the migration program year.

Queue dates apply within the Other Family category. If your application is found to meet the relevant initial visa criteria you will be placed in the queue in order of the lodgement date and be granted a visa only when places are available in the migration program. Therefore, there is no discretion to consider compelling and compassionate circumstances in allocating or adjusting queue dates for Parent or Contributing Parent, Carer, Remaining Relative and Aged Dependent Relative visa applications.

Further information is available on the department's website.
See: www.immi.gov.au

The department also operates a national general enquiries line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Recorded information is available outside these hours.

Fact Sheet 37. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Last reviewed November 2011.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2010.