Australia Sponsored Family Stream Requirements and Process Policy Updated in June 2025
Australia has just updated its Sponsored Family Stream Visa (Subclass 600) policy as of June 2025, and the changes are making waves among families worldwide. Whether you’re planning to reunite with loved ones, attend a milestone celebration, or simply enjoy a scenic family visit—this visa stream might just be your golden ticket.
What’s New and Exciting?
The 2025 update makes the visitor-sponsor relationship requirements, bond obligations, and sponsor responsibilities much more transparent—and yes, easier to navigate for many.
Here’s a thrilling breakdown of what you need to know to reunite with your family in Australia legally and responsibly!
Key Features of the Sponsored Family Stream Visa
- Duration of Stay: Up to 12 months
- Purpose of Visit: Family visit, tourism, cruise trips, or short-term non-business activities
- Study Limit: Up to 3 months of study or training permitted
- Security Bond: A refundable bond between AUD 5,000–15,000 may be requested
- Visa Subclass: Subclass 600 Visitor Visa — Sponsored Family Stream
- No Business or Medical Treatment Use under this visa.
What You Can Do with This Visa?
- Visit family members or friends
- Be in Australia as a tourist or cruise guest
- Undertake short courses or training (maximum 3 months)
Fun fact: You can still invite someone without becoming a sponsor—by simply writing a letter of invitation under the Tourist Stream of Subclass 600.
Who Can Be a Sponsor?
- To be eligible, sponsors must be:
- A settled Australian citizen or permanent resident (living in Australia for at least 2 years, unless in compelling circumstances)
- At least 18 years old
- Willing to pay a security bond if asked
Eligible Sponsor-Applicant Relationships
To sponsor someone under Australia’s Sponsored Family Stream (Subclass 600), you must be a direct blood or legal relative. Eligible relationships include being the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner, parent or child, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild, or aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew—this also covers step-relatives.
But here’s the twist—not everyone can sponsor. You’re ineligible if you’re merely a fiancé(e), in-law, cousin (unless linked via another eligible family member in the application), or friend. Even New Zealand citizens are excluded from acting as sponsors under this stream.
However, in a unique and powerful exception, certain public officials and institutions can act as sponsors too. This includes Members of the Australian Parliament (both Commonwealth and State), territory-level Legislative Assembly members, mayors, and even government agencies or instrumentalities—unlocking a broader reach for sponsorships in specific cases.
❌ Sponsorship Limitations
- You cannot sponsor someone if:
- You already sponsored someone and their visa is still active (unless it’s the same family unit and purpose)
- You previously sponsored someone who violated visa conditions and five years haven’t passed (with few exceptions).
Sponsorship Application Process
Here’s a step-by-step thrill ride for lodging your sponsorship for the family stream visa of Australia:
- Download Form 1149: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1149.pdf
- Fill and Scan the Form
- Send the scanned copy to your family member(s) applying for the visa
- Attach proof of relationship: Birth/marriage certificates, and family registry or ID documents
- Each applicant must upload this form with their online visa application https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/sponsored-family-stream#Overview.
Security Bond Requirements
As part of the Sponsored Family Stream visa (Subclass 600), sponsors may be required to pay a security bond—a financial guarantee to ensure the applicant complies with visa conditions. The bond amount typically ranges from AUD 5,000 to AUD 15,000 per person, although the Department of Home Affairs may request a higher amount depending on the circumstances.
This bond must be paid in full before a visa decision is made. The good news? The bond is fully refundable—but only if the visitor follows all visa conditions and leaves Australia before the visa expires. It’s a safety net that protects the integrity of the visa system while giving families a chance to reunite responsibly.
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