Migrant families wanting to sponsor their parents to come to Australia for up to 10 years will be able to lodge an application to become a sponsor from 17th April 2019.
A dedicated team within the Department of Home Affairs has been set up to manage applications and assist families during the application process.
Up to 15,000 Temporary Sponsored Parent visas are available each year, giving parents from overseas the opportunity to visit Australia for a continuous period of up to five years.
There is also the opportunity to apply for a second visa for another five years after a short period outside Australia, meaning parents and grandparents will be able to spend up to 10 years in Australia.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the Government will deliver on the strong demand for this visa.
“There has been strong interest in this visa from the community, and we are preparing for a considerable number of applications straight away,” Mr Coleman said. “This new visa will ensure family reunions are possible for thousands of migrant families and will deliver great social benefits to families and communities across Australia.”
Two parents per household can be sponsored for this visa at a time, ensuring more families across Australia have the opportunity to sponsor a parent.
The new visa provides an alternative option to Visitor visas which only allow shorter periods of stay or permanent parent visas which are limited and have lengthy waiting times. Parents are still eligible to apply for Visitor visas and/or permanent Parent visas.
Measures have been put in place to strengthen the visa framework, and require Australian sponsors to act as a financial guarantor for any outstanding public health costs incurred by the visa holder whilst in Australia, including hospital and aged care fees.
This ensures taxpayers are not required to cover additional costs.
Families are encouraged to get their sponsorship application in as soon as possible from 17th April. Approved sponsors will then be able to lodge a visa application from 1st July 2019.
Article published 1st April 2019