Definitions
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Family member definitions
Spouse
A spouse is a person who is married to you or is in a de facto relationship with you.
Dependent child
A dependent child is either your or your spouse’s natural, adopted child or step-child who:
- is not married, engaged to be married or in a de facto relationship
- is under the age of 18
or
- is over the age of 18, but is a full-time student or incapacitated for work.
Other dependent relatives
Other relatives may be included in your application if they are wholly or substantially reliant on you for financial support for their basic needs of food, shelter and clothing and they have been reliant on you for that support for a substantial period.
They must also be more reliant on you for support than on any other person or source. A relative may also be considered dependent on you if they have a mental or physical disability which stops them from earning a living to support themselves.
Other relatives dependent on you or your spouse may include, for example, an aged, unmarried relative.
Dependent family members who are 18 years of age or over, should complete form 47A and attach it to your visa application.
Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over must be completed for each dependent, whether migrating or not.
See: Form 47A Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (248KB PDF file)
Sponsorship
The sponsorship is the application made by the employer to sponsor overseas workers to Australia. A separate sponsorship application must be lodged for each position to be filled.
Visa application
The visa application is made by the employer to allow them to work in Australia. The visa application must be lodged and granted before the sponsorship expires.