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What Is the Balance of Family Test?

Find out how the Balance of Family Test impacts your Parent Visa application and eligibility in Australia.

Quick Overview

What Is the Balance of Family Test? 
The Balance of Family Test is a requirement for certain Parent Visa subclasses, where the applicant must show that at least half of their children live in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Alternatively, more children must live in Australia than in any other country. 

What Is the Balance of Family Test?

Plain-language real-world explanation: 
The Balance of Family Test is used by the Department of Home Affairs to determine if a Parent Visa applicant has sufficient family ties in Australia. The test requires that at least half of the applicant’s children reside in Australia or that more of their children live in Australia than in any other country. 

The test applies to Parent Visa subclasses such as Subclass 103 and Subclass 804, which are designed for parents wishing to reunite with their children in Australia. 

Why It Matters

The Balance of Family Test is crucial for eligibility when applying for a Parent Visa.

Why It’s Important: The Department of Home Affairs uses the Balance of Family Test to ensure that applicants for Parent Visas are truly connected to Australia. Without meeting the test, the application may be rejected, even if other requirements are met.

Risks of Not Meeting the Test: Failing the Balance of Family Test may result in your Parent Visa application being delayed or refused. It is important to check that you meet this test before proceeding with the application.

Who It Applies To

Applicants for Parent Visas (e.g., Subclass 103, Subclass 804)

Applicants who have children living in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens

Parents wishing to reunite with their children in Australia

Risks / Exemptions / Errors

When It Doesn’t Apply:

The Balance of Family Test is not applicable to Temporary Parent Visas such as the Subclass 870.

Some applicants may be exempt if their case involves humanitarian reasons or extreme hardship.

Common Mistakes:

Incorrect Documentation: Failing to provide clear evidence of your children’s residency or not including all required documents.

Failure to Prove Residency: If your children are living in another country and not fulfilling the residency requirement, you will not meet the test.

Key Terms
Legal Definitions

Balance of Family Test: A requirement for Parent Visa applicants to demonstrate that at least half of their children live in Australia, or more children live in Australia than in any other country.

Parent Visa (Subclass 103): A visa type that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.

Eligible Child: A child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Start Your Application Here

Sidebar Tips
Did You Know?

You must prove at least half of your children live in Australia to pass the Balance of Family Test.

If more children live in Australia than any other country, you will also meet the test.

Related Visa Pathways

Partner Visa Subclass 820

Skilled Migration Visa Subclass 189

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

A1: If your children are not living in Australia, you will not meet the Balance of Family Test requirement for most Parent Visas. However, there are some exemptions based on humanitarian or special circumstances. 

A2: You can provide official documents such as birth certificates, Australian passports, or permanent residency certificates to prove your children’s residency. 

A3: In most cases, the Balance of Family Test must be met for a Parent Visa application to be successful. If you fail to meet the test, your application may be rejected. 

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