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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Returning Residents

About this Visa

This visa allows resettlement of former Australian permanent residents and persons who served in the Australian Armed Forces before 1981.

Who this visa is for?

This visa is for you if you have either:

  • spent nine (9) of your first 18 years in Australia as a permanent resident
    or
  • you completed three (3) months of service in the Australian Armed Forces at any time before 19 January 1981.

Your partner and dependent family members may be included in your application if they meet certain requirements.

How much will this visa cost?

You must pay a non-refundable application charge when you lodge your visa application.
See: Returning Resident Visa Charges

What does this visa let me do?

If you are granted this visa you and your family can live in Australia as Australian permanent residents.

You can also:

  • work and study in Australia
  • receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
  • be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
  • sponsor people for permanent residence (subject to waiting periods).