Family stream migrants must be sponsored by a close family member or fiancé(e) living in Australia, they are assessed on the basis of their family relationship with the sponsor. The sponsor must be either an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and would usually be 18 years of age or older.

Family Stream applicants are assessed on an individual basis and they MUST be assessed against Australia's health and character requirements. Family Stream applicants can be sponsored for migration or permanent residence in one of the following visa categories:

Applicants under the family regime of visas are selected on the basis of their family relationship only, more particularly with their Sponsor in Australia. The subclasses available to prospective migrants include:

PARTNER

• Spouse
  
• Prospective Marriage (Fiancé)
  
• Interdependency
  

CHILD

• Child
  
• Adoption
  
• Orphan Relative
  
• Dependent Child (Temporary)
  

PARENT

• Parent
  
• Designated Parent
  

OTHER FAMILY

• Aged Dependent Relative
  
• Remaining Relative
  
• Carer