If you’re looking to sponsor a parent for an Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804), one of the key requirements is that you, as the sponsor, must be settled in Australia. But what does “settled” actually mean, and how long do you need to have been living here?
The Settlement Requirement for Sponsors
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To sponsor a parent for a Subclass 804 visa, you generally need to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia. The concept of being “settled” is not strictly defined by a set number of years, but the Department of Home Affairs will assess whether you have genuinely established yourself in Australia.
Factors the Department considers include:
- How long you’ve been residing in Australia
- Employment or business connections in Australia
- Community ties such as property ownership, social connections, and involvement in local activities
- Evidence of establishing a home in Australia
What If You Only Recently Started Living in Australia?
Having permanent residency doesn’t automatically mean you’re considered settled. If you were granted your permanent visa several years ago but have only recently moved to Australia, this could raise questions about your settlement status.
Migration professionals have noted that while there’s no strict minimum period, a sponsor who has only been residing in Australia for a short period (such as a few months) may face scrutiny. The Department’s Policy Advice Manual (PAM III) provides guidance on what evidence should be assessed.
The “Usually Resident” Requirement
In addition to being settled, the sponsor must be “usually resident” in Australia. This means Australia should be your primary place of residence. If you’ve been splitting your time between Australia and another country, this could be problematic.
What Evidence Should You Provide?
To demonstrate settlement, you should provide evidence such as:
- Lease agreement or property ownership documents
- Employment contracts or business registration
- Bank account statements showing regular activity in Australia
- Utility bills in your name
- Children’s school enrolment
- Medicare card and any medical records
If you’re considering sponsoring a parent and you’ve only recently started living in Australia, it’s worth getting professional advice to assess whether you meet the settlement requirement before lodging the application.
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Visa rules and policies can change, and individual circumstances vary. We recommend booking a consultation with one of our registered migration agents to discuss your specific situation.
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This article is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.
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