The Sponsored Family stream of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) lets people who are sponsored, usually by a family member, come to Australia to visit their family.
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) lets people travel to Australia temporarily for tourism or business purposes, or to visit family. The minimum requirements for the Sponsored Family stream are set out below:
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Sponsored Family stream
For people travelling to Australia to visit family. Applicants for this visa must be sponsored by an eligible relative who lives in Australia.
Applicant requirements
As the visa applicant, you must:
- be sponsored by an eligible relative in Australia (see below)
- genuinely intend to visit family in Australia
- have access to sufficient funds to cover your costs whilst you are in Australia
- meet the relevant health and character criteria (this could include a requirement to obtain health insurance for the period of your stay in Australia)
Sponsor requirements
The person sponsoring your visit to Australia must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- be at least 18 years old
- have been settled in Australia for a reasonable length of time (usually at least 2 years)
- be a close family member i.e. a spouse/de facto partner, or a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew (or any of the ‘step’ or adopted equivalents of those relations)
NOTE: In certain cases, an application for this visa MAY instead be sponsored by a Member of Parliament, or an authorised person representing a government department or instrumentality, or a local government mayor.
- NOT be the sponsor of another visitor whose visa is still valid (unless that person is a member of your family, and you have the same reason for travelling to Australia), and NOT have within the last 5 years sponsored a visitor who breached his/her visa conditions
Related: Other streams of Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Security bond
If required, your sponsor must also pay a security bond (usually between A$5,000 and A$15,000). This will be refunded to your sponsor provided you comply with your visa conditions and leave Australia before your visa expires.
The visa may be granted for up to 12 months.
Costs (visa application charge)
AUD250.00 (from 1 July 2026). The Department may ask your sponsor to pay a security bond.
With this visa you can
- visit family or friends
- cruise or have a holiday
- study or train for up to 3 months
You should check if a Visitor (subclass 600) visa in the Tourist stream might better suit you. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream visa also lets you visit Australia to see family and friends and does not require a sponsor.
You must
- have a sponsor
- intend to come to Australia as a visitor only
Book a video consultation with our registered migration agents to find out more about your visa options.
Sponsored Family stream: frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Sponsored Family stream from inside Australia?
No. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the decision is made. If you are already in Australia as a visitor, the Tourist stream may allow you to apply for a further stay, unless your visa has a No further stay condition.
How long can I stay on a Sponsored Family visa?
The visa may be granted for a stay of up to 12 months. Your grant letter states your period of stay. Sponsored Family visas commonly include condition 8503 (No further stay), which means you cannot apply for most other visas while you are in Australia.
What is the security bond and when is it refunded?
Home Affairs may ask your sponsor to pay a security bond as a condition of grant, usually between A$5,000 and A$15,000. The bond is generally refunded if you comply with your visa conditions and leave Australia before your visa expires.
What does the sponsor have to do?
The sponsor gives an undertaking to Home Affairs and must be an eligible relative who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and is usually settled in Australia. A sponsor who has previously sponsored a visitor who breached their visa conditions may not be approved.
Should parents use this stream or a parent visa?
The Sponsored Family stream suits shorter visits. For longer stays, parents may consider the Tourist stream or the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), which allows stays of up to 3 or 5 years at a time.
What does it cost?
The visa application charge is $250 from 1 July 2026 (see our visa fees page). A security bond may also be requested.
Related guides
- How to extend your stay in Australia on a Visitor visa?
- Reasons for Australian visitor visa refusal
- Australia visa waivers and refunds
- Australia and New Zealand Safe Travel Zone (historical)
- Permissible activities on visitor visas
- Bringing family members to Australia
- Visitor visa options for parents
- Australia’s four-phase plan to open its border (historical)
- Visas for Digital Nomads
- Visitor visa (subclass 600)
- Tourist vs Sponsored Family stream
- Visa application fees
- Book a video consultation
