Orphan Relative visa (Subclass 117)

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 orphaned or effectively parentless child (single, under 18) who has a relative settled in Australia as a citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or permanent resident. The relative must be an eligible sibling or step-sibling, grandparent or step-grandparent, aunt, uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle — not a parent. The child must be outside Australia both when the application is made and when it is decided.

See recorded sources

Overview tab
This visa lets a child who is single come to Australia to live with a relative if their parents are deceased, can't care for them or can't be found.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be outside Australia when the application is made and when we decide
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
The child must be sponsored by an eligible sibling or step-sibling, grandparent or step-grandparent, aunt, uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle.

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

The child must be sponsored by one of the specific eligible relatives (sibling/step-sibling, grandparent/step-grandparent, aunt/uncle/step-aunt/step-uncle) settled in Australia as an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and the Department must approve the sponsorship before the visa can be granted. A pending registrable-offence charge against the sponsor (or their spouse/de facto partner) results in refusal; a registrable-offence conviction allows approval only in very limited circumstances.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
We must approve the sponsorship before the visa can be granted.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
If the sponsor and/or their spouse or de facto partner (if any) have a pending registrable offence charge, we will refuse the sponsorship and visa application.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
If the sponsor and/or their spouse or de facto partner (if any) have a registrable offence conviction, we can only approve the sponsorship in very limited circumstances.
Overview tab
This visa lets a child who is single come to Australia to live with a relative if their parents are deceased, can't care for them or can't be found.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be outside Australia when the application is made and when we decide
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
The child must be sponsored by an eligible sibling or step-sibling, grandparent or step-grandparent, aunt, uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle.

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

What matters for proving eligibility is that the child has no parent able to care for them, because both parents are deceased, permanently incapable of caring for the child, or cannot be found — a visa that will be refused if the parents are simply capable but unwilling. A child under 18 also needs the written consent of everyone with legal authority over where they live, or equivalent grounds under their home country's laws or an Australian child order.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Have no parent who can care for them
We will not grant this visa unless the child has no parent who can care for them.
Eligibility tab — Have no parent who can care for them
are permanently incapable of caring for the child
Eligibility tab — Have no parent who can care for them
We will not grant this visa if the child's parents are capable of caring for them but don't want to.
Eligibility tab — Have consent to migrate to Australia
the child has the written consent of everyone who can legally decide where they live

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

The child and any dependent children applying with them must meet Australia's health requirement (other non-applying dependent children may also need to), and the child must meet the character requirement if aged 16 or over. Any debt owed to the Australian Government by the child or a family member must be repaid or subject to a formal repayment arrangement. The official source does not state an income, accommodation or insurance requirement.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Meet the health requirement
The child and any of their dependent children who apply for the visa with them must meet our health requirement.
Eligibility tab — Meet the character requirement
If the child is aged 16 years or older they must meet our character requirement.
Eligibility tab — Have paid back debts to the Australian Government
If the child or any member of their family owes the Australian Government money it must be paid it back or there must be a formal arrangement 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 child can stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study in line with Australian law, enrol in Medicare, sponsor 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, since it grants permanent status directly.

See recorded sources

Overview tab — With this visa the child can
stay in Australia indefinitely
Overview tab — With this visa the child can
sponsor relatives to come to Australia
Overview tab — With this visa the child can
apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
Overview tab — Stay
Permanently

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

Explore more pathways in Australia · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in Australia →

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

Orphan Relative visa (Subclass 117)

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.