Parent Visa Balance of Family Test
The Balance of Family Test is one of the most important eligibility requirements for many Australian parent visa applications.
The test is designed to assess whether a parent has sufficient family connections to Australia by examining where their children live.
- Important requirement for many parent visas
- Based on the location of a parent's children
- Can determine whether a parent visa application may proceed
- Frequently misunderstood by applicants
- Requires careful assessment before applying
What is the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test is a legislative requirement that applies to a number of Australian parent visa categories.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether a parent has stronger family connections to Australia than to any other country.
In simple terms, the Department of Home Affairs looks at where a parent's children are living permanently and uses that information to determine whether the parent satisfies the test.
The test is not based on where the parent wants to live. It is based on where the parent's children live and whether enough of those children are considered settled in Australia.
A parent who does not satisfy the Balance of Family Test may not be eligible for certain parent visa pathways, regardless of how long they have visited Australia or how strongly they wish to remain close to their family.
Why is the Balance of Family Test Important?
The Balance of Family Test is often the first major eligibility hurdle in a parent visa application.
Eligibility Requirement
Many parent visa subclasses cannot be granted unless the applicant satisfies the Balance of Family Test.
Application Planning
Understanding the test before applying can help families avoid costly mistakes and unrealistic expectations.
Complex Family Situations
Stepchildren, adopted children and children living in multiple countries can complicate the calculation.
Permanent Parent Visas
The test commonly affects permanent parent visa pathways that families rely upon for long-term migration planning.
Which Parent Visas Require the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test generally applies to a number of Australian parent visa pathways. Applicants should assess this requirement carefully before lodging a parent visa application.
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
Permanent contributory parent visa pathway for eligible parents.
View Subclass 143Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)
Permanent aged parent visa pathway for eligible parents in Australia.
View Subclass 864Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
Non-contributory aged parent visa pathway for eligible parents in Australia.
View Subclass 804Which Parent Visas Do Not Require the Balance of Family Test?
Not all parent visas require the Balance of Family Test. The most notable exception is the Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870).
How is the Balance of Family Test Calculated?
A parent generally satisfies the Balance of Family Test if:
- At least half of their children are living permanently in Australia; or
- More children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
This sounds simple, but the practical calculation can become complicated when families have children living in multiple countries, blended family arrangements, adopted children or deceased children.
The key issue is determining which children are counted and where those children are considered to be living permanently.
This is why many families seek advice before relying on their own calculation of the Balance of Family Test.
Who Counts as a Child for the Balance of Family Test?
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the Balance of Family Test is determining which children are counted.
Many applicants assume only biological children are relevant. However, Australian migration legislation can require a broader assessment depending on the family's circumstances.
Before calculating whether the Balance of Family Test is satisfied, it is important to identify every child who may need to be included in the assessment.
Biological Children
Biological children are commonly included when assessing the Balance of Family Test.
Adopted Children
Legally adopted children may also be relevant when assessing family composition.
Stepchildren
Stepchildren can create complex assessment issues and should be reviewed carefully.
Deceased Children
Special considerations may apply where a child has passed away.
Stepchildren and Blended Families
Modern family structures can make the Balance of Family Test more complicated than many applicants expect.
Parents who have remarried, have children from previous relationships or are part of a blended family should carefully assess how their family structure may affect the calculation.
Incorrect assumptions about stepchildren are one of the most common reasons families miscalculate their eligibility before seeking professional advice.
Where family circumstances are complex, applicants should avoid relying on informal advice or internet discussions and should instead ensure the family structure is properly reviewed.
Adopted Children
Adopted children may also be relevant when assessing whether a parent satisfies the Balance of Family Test.
The legal circumstances of the adoption and the family relationship may affect how the child is considered during the assessment.
Families with adoption histories should ensure that supporting documentation clearly establishes the relationship and the child's current place of residence.
Children Living Overseas
A common misconception is that only Australian citizen children are counted.
The key issue is generally where the children are living permanently rather than their citizenship alone.
A child living permanently in another country may still affect the Balance of Family Test calculation.
For families with children spread across several countries, careful analysis is often required before assuming the test has been satisfied.
Worked Examples
The examples below are simplified illustrations designed to help explain how the Balance of Family Test operates.
Example 1 – Pass
Parents have four children.
- Three children live permanently in Australia
- One child lives overseas
Result: Balance of Family Test satisfied.
Example 2 – Fail
Parents have four children.
- One child lives in Australia
- Three children live overseas
Result: Balance of Family Test not satisfied.
Example 3 – Equal Numbers
Parents have two children.
- One child lives in Australia
- One child lives overseas
Result: Balance of Family Test satisfied.
Example 4 – Three Countries
Parents have three children.
- One in Australia
- One in Canada
- One in the United Kingdom
Result: Further assessment required.
Example 5 – Large Family
Parents have six children.
- Four live permanently in Australia
- Two live overseas
Result: Balance of Family Test satisfied.
Example 6 – Majority Overseas
Parents have five children.
- Two live in Australia
- Three live overseas
Result: Balance of Family Test not satisfied.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming only Australian citizen children are counted.
- Ignoring children living overseas.
- Misunderstanding where a child is considered permanently resident.
- Overlooking stepchildren or adopted children.
- Relying on assumptions rather than evidence.
- Applying for a parent visa before confirming eligibility.
Because the Balance of Family Test is a critical eligibility requirement, even small mistakes can significantly affect a parent visa strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Parent Visa Balance of Family Test and Australian parent visa eligibility.
What is the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test is an eligibility requirement that applies to several Australian parent visa categories. It assesses whether a parent has sufficient family connections to Australia based on where their children live.
Why is the Balance of Family Test important?
Many parent visas cannot be granted unless the applicant satisfies the test. Failing the test may prevent access to certain permanent parent visa pathways.
Which parent visas require the Balance of Family Test?
The test commonly applies to the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143), Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) and Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804).
Does the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 require the Balance of Family Test?
No. The Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 does not require applicants to satisfy the Balance of Family Test.
How do I pass the Balance of Family Test?
A parent generally satisfies the test if at least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or more children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
Do all my children count?
The answer depends on the family's circumstances. Biological children, adopted children and other family situations may need to be considered during the assessment.
Are stepchildren counted for the Balance of Family Test?
Stepchildren can create complex assessment issues. Families should carefully review their circumstances before assuming a child can be excluded.
Are adopted children counted?
Adopted children may be relevant to the assessment and should not automatically be excluded from the family calculation.
What happens if one of my children has passed away?
Special considerations may apply. The impact of a deceased child should be assessed based on the individual circumstances.
Do Australian citizen children living overseas count as Australian children?
Citizenship alone does not determine the outcome. The assessment generally focuses on where the child is living permanently.
Can the Balance of Family Test be waived?
Applicants should not assume the requirement can be waived. The test is a significant legislative requirement for many parent visa categories.
What happens if I fail the Balance of Family Test?
Failing the test may affect eligibility for certain parent visa pathways. Alternative options may still exist depending on the family's circumstances.
Can I apply for a Subclass 143 visa if I fail the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test is generally a requirement for the Subclass 143 visa. Applicants should assess eligibility carefully before lodging an application.
Can I apply for a Subclass 864 visa if I fail the Balance of Family Test?
The test generally applies to the Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 and should be assessed before lodging an application.
Can I apply for a Subclass 804 visa if I fail the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test generally applies to the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 and is an important eligibility consideration.
Who decides whether I satisfy the Balance of Family Test?
The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether an applicant satisfies the relevant legislative requirements based on the information and evidence provided.
Reviewed by Principal Migration Consultant
This page has been reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi, Principal Migration Consultant at Shada Migration. Mohammad has assisted clients with Australian migration matters since 2009 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University (ANU).
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