Sponsorship by a relative

You must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia if you do not have a nomination from a participating State or Territory government.

Who can be a sponsor?

To sponsor a skilled worker you must be at least 18 years of age and usually resident in Australia as one of the following:

• an Australian citizen
• an Australian permanent resident
• an Eligible New Zealand citizen.

See: General Skilled Migration definitions

You or your partner must be related to your sponsor as one of the following:

• a non-dependent child – including a stepchild
• a parent – including a step-parent
• a brother or sister – including a step-sibling
• a niece or nephew – including a step-niece or nephew
• an aunt or uncle – including a step-aunt or uncle
• a first cousin
• a grandchild.

Where can a sponsor be living?

To be a sponsor, you must provide evidence that, at the time the department receives your sponsorship application, you are usually a resident in a designated area. Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate that you continue to live in a designated area until a decision is made on the visa application.

As a general guide, Australia's designated areas include:

• ACT
• South Australia
• Northern Territory
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Queensland – except Brisbane
• New South Wales – except Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong
• Western Australia – except Perth.

See: Designated areas of Australia

 

Before lodging an application, please read all related eligibility requirements.
See: Other eligibility