Australia Defines Eligible Relatives for Permanent Visa

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has published guidelines regarding the relatives eligible for inclusion in a Subclass 866 permanent protection visa application. All family members listed on the same application must be physically present in Australia at the time of lodgement and must meet individual eligibility criteria.

The "family unit" is defined broadly, allowing various relatives of the family head to apply together. The family head can be any member of the family group who has not yet applied for the visa.

A dependent child is generally defined as someone under 18 years old, but children aged 18 and above may qualify as dependants if incapacitated or reliant on a parent for support. However, married or engaged children must submit separate applications.

Other relatives must usually live with the family head and depend on them for support. All members must satisfy health, character, and security requirements.

Children born in Australia before a decision on the application are automatically included in the existing application.