From 23 March 2013 this visa is no longer open to new applicants.
From 23 March 2013 if you want to be sponsored by a family member to visit your family in Australia or to holiday in Australia for reasons other than business or medical treatment, you will need to apply for the new Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored Family stream. You may also be eligible for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream as a non-sponsored visitor.
See: Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
Sponsored Family Visitor visa (Subclass 679)
About this Visa
Sponsored Family Visitor (subclass 679) - Cut off date for December holiday period
To ensure we can process your application so you can travel to Australia during the December holiday period, you will need to submit a complete application to the department by 2 November 2012.
See: Sponsored Family Visitor (subclass 679) - Cut off date for December holiday period
This visa allows people to travel to Australia to take a holiday or visit their family.
The applicant must have an eligible relative in Australia or an eligible Australian Government official willing to sponsor them.
The sponsor provides a guarantee that their visitor will leave Australia before the visa expires. Support from the sponsor is taken into account by the visa decision-maker
Who is this visa for?
This visa is for you if you want to visit your family in Australia or to holiday in Australia for reasons other than business or medical treatment.
You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa.
How much will this visa cost?
A non-refundable visa application charge must be paid when your visa application is lodged. Your sponsor will make the payment on your behalf when they lodge the application in Australia. In some cases a financial security bond may also be requested.
See: Visa Charges ( 84KB PDF file)
What does this visa let me do?
You can visit Australia once, usually to stay for a period of up to three months or six months, but in certain circumstances a stay of 12 months may be granted. While in Australia you can:
- visit family and friends
- engage in tourist activities
- study for up to three months.