IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Australian Government has set its annual caps for non-contributory parent and other family visas.

What does the change mean? Australia will make a total of 1550 Parent (Migrant) (Class AX) and Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP) visas available for visa grant in the financial year that began 1 July 2016. A total of 520 Other Family (Migrant) (Class BO) and Other Family (Residence) (Class BU) visas will be allocated for visa grant in the current financial year.

  • Implementation time frame: The visa caps for the financial year that began 1 July 2016 were put in place by a Legislative Instrument 2 September.
  • Visa/permits affected: Parent (Migrant) (Class AX), Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP); Other Family (Migrant) (Class BO) and Other Family (Residence) (Class BU) visas.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals applying for (or who have already applied for) any of the visa classes listed above.
  • Next steps:Individuals who have applied for one of the above visa classes and whose applications have been queued and released for final processing will have their applications finalised up until the annual caps are reached.

Background: The caps set for the 2016-17 financial year for the visa classes listed above were the same as last year and nearly identical to 2014-2015.

Fiscal Year Visa Category Visa Cap
2014-15 Parent* 1,550
Family** 510
2015-16 Parent 1,550
Family 520
2016-17 Parent 1,550
Family 520

* Parent (Migrant) (Class AX) and Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP).
** Other Family (Migrant) (Class BO) and Other Family (Residence) (Class BU).

It should be noted that New Zealand citizens who are not normally included in Australia’s Migration Programme are included in the caps listed above.

BAL Analysis: The caps set for non-contributory parent visas and other family visa classes have changed very little since 1 July 2014. New applicants for a non-contributory parent visa can expect to wait upwards of 30 years (if not longer) before their application is released for final processing, whilst those seeking to apply for an aged dependent relative, remaining relative or carer visa can expect to wait upwards of 50 years (if no longer) before their application is released for final processing.

This alert has been provided by BAL Australia. For additional information, please contact australia@bal.com.

MARN: 9683856

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