Aged Dependent Relative visa (Subclass 838)

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Australia Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The qualifying family relationship is that of an aged dependent relative applying onshore: a single person old enough to receive the Australian age pension who has been dependent on a relative living in Australia for basic needs (food, shelter and clothing) for at least the last 3 years before applying, and who has no partner. Dependency can also arise from a disability that prevents the applicant from working. The applicant must be inside Australia (not in immigration clearance) both when applying and when the decision is made.

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Eligibility tab — Be this age
You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
Eligibility tab — Be dependent
You must have been dependent on your relative in Australia for basic needs like food, shelter and clothing for at least the last 3 years before you apply for the visa.
Eligibility tab — Have no partner
To be eligible for this visa you must have no partner.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be inside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for this visa and when we decide on your application

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The applicant must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia, or that relative's partner, and the Department must approve the sponsorship before the visa can be granted. The official source does not state the citizenship or residence status the sponsoring relative must hold.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
You must be sponsored by an eligible relative or a relative's partner.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
We must approve the sponsorship.
Eligibility tab — Must not have a no further stay condition
The visa you currently hold must not have a no further stay condition on it.

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Proving the relationship centres on dependency: the applicant must show they have been dependent on the sponsoring relative in Australia for basic needs for at least the last 3 years before applying, or that a disability preventing them from working is the basis of that dependency, and that they currently have no partner.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Be dependent
You must have been dependent on your relative in Australia for basic needs like food, shelter and clothing for at least the last 3 years before you apply for the visa.
Eligibility tab — Be dependent
You could be dependent on your relative due to disability that prevents you from working.
Eligibility tab — Have no partner
To be eligible for this visa you must have no partner.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

An assurance of support must be obtained, guaranteeing that the applicant (and any family members coming with them) will not need to rely on Australian government financial assistance after the visa is granted. The applicant and accompanying family members must also meet Australia's health and character requirements, and any debt owed to the Australian Government by the applicant or family members must be repaid or subject to an approved repayment arrangement.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Have assurance of support
You must be able to obtain an assurance of support.
Eligibility tab — Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
Eligibility tab — Meet the character requirement
You, and family members who apply for the visa with you, must meet our character requirement.
Eligibility tab — Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or have an approved arrangement in place to pay it back.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

This is a permanent visa: once granted, the applicant can stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor their own relatives, attend free English classes under the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible. There is no temporary-to-permanent progression built into this pathway. The visa cost is from AUD6,600.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).

See recorded sources

Overview tab — With this visa you can
stay in Australia indefinitely
Overview tab — With this visa you can
apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
Overview tab — Cost
From AUD6,600.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.

Aged Dependent Relative visa (Subclass 838)

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.