A carefully prepared application reunites a family in Melbourne

For families who have built their lives in Australia, being separated from parents overseas can be one of the hardest parts of migration. In this illustrative case, a couple who had settled in Melbourne and established a business here wanted the husband's parents to join them permanently. They wanted to be close to their grandchildren and supported in their later years. This example shows how we approach parent and family visas. We begin by checking eligibility, including the balance of family test, and by comparing the available options, such as the contributory parent visas, along with their costs and processing times. We then help the family gather and organise the evidence, prepare the sponsorship and assurance of support, and present a complete application from the start. Because family migration often connects to a family's wider plans, we also consider related matters such as property, Wills and arrangements for the next generation. This is an illustrative example based on common situations. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a particular outcome. For advice about your family's situation, please contact us.

The situation

A couple had settled in Melbourne more than a decade earlier. Both were Australian citizens, and together they ran a growing family business. The husband's parents lived in Asia and were in their late sixties. As they grew older, the family wanted them to live in Melbourne permanently, close to their grandchildren and with support in their later years.

The family had heard about long waiting times for parent visas and was unsure which option to choose. The parents also had another child living overseas, so the family did not know whether they would meet the balance of family test. One parent had a long-term health condition, which raised questions about the health requirement.

Our approach

We began by confirming the family's eligibility, including mapping where each of the parents' children lived to check the balance of family test. We then compared the available pathways, including the contributory and non-contributory parent visas and the temporary Sponsored Parent visa. For each, we explained the costs, likely processing times, the right to work and access to Medicare, so the family could choose the option that fitted its priorities.

The family chose a contributory parent visa for its shorter processing time. We helped them gather and organise the evidence, prepare the sponsorship and assurance of support, and present a complete application from the start. We also advised early on the health requirement and the information the Department was likely to ask for.

Because the move was part of the family's wider plans, we also discussed related matters, including updating Wills, powers of attorney for the parents, and how the family home and business might be arranged for the next generation.

The outcome

In this illustrative example, the parents' application is lodged complete and well-documented, avoiding delays caused by requests for further information. The family has a clear understanding of the timeline and costs, and a plan for the parents' arrival and their longer-term care. Their migration and wider family affairs are considered together, rather than one step at a time.

This is an illustrative example based on common situations. It is not an account of a specific client's matter. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a particular outcome. Visa requirements, costs and processing times change regularly. For advice about your family's situation, please contact us.