Australian citizens and permanent residents (as well as New Zealand citizens) may sponsor eligible family members for permanent resident visa status. The regulations involved are strict and waiting periods can extend for more than 10 years. Visas for certain family member categories are subject to capping and queuing, or imposed limits with waiting periods for applications received after category limits have been reached. However, exceptions to capping and queuing visa limitations may be made in extraordinarily compelling cases on compassionate grounds.

Family Migration Stream Visa Categories NOT Subject to Capping and Queuing

• Partner (subclasses 309/100 and 820/801) temporary and permanent visas
• Child (subclasses 101 and 802) visas
• Dependent Child (subclass 445) visas
• Orphan Relative (subclasses 117 and 837) visas
• Adoption (subclass 102) visas

Family Migration Stream Visa Categories Subject to Capping and Queuing

• Prospective Marriage (fiancé) (subclass 300) visas
• Aged Dependent Relative (subclasses 114 and 838) visas
• Remaining Relative (subclasses 115 and 835)
• Carer (subclasses 116 and 836) visas
• Parent (subclasses 103, 143, 173, 804, 864 and 884) visas

Visa Status for Children

Children born within Australia automatically receive Australian citizenship if at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the child's birth. Children born outside Australia to parents who are not Australian citizens do not receive automatic Australian citizenship and must be hold an appropriate visa before being admitted into Australia. If one or both parents of a child born outside Australia holds permanent resident status, the child is eligible for a Child (subclass 101) Visa. As of March 2012, approximate processing time for the visa is 14 months.

Eligible children must be under age 18, or under age 25 if enrolled as a full-time student in a post-secondary degree program. Dependent children who have disabilities that prevent them from working are not subject to age limitations. Children must also be single and not engaged to be married or involved in a de facto partnership relationship. They must not be employed full-time. Children must be the biological or legally-adopted offspring of one or both sponsoring parents. Stepchildren may also be eligible for inclusion under a family stream migration visa if the child is under age 18 and the sponsoring stepparent has legal responsibility for the child's care.

Australia has imposed especially stringent measures aimed toward the protection of children, included in migrant visa applications. Specifically, Prospective Marriage (fiancé) (subclass 300) visa applications where at least one partner is a minor are subject to police clearance before a visa will be issued.