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Australia Aerial View

Understanding the Balance of Family Test: What Every Child Needs to Know Before Sponsoring Their Dad

  • Writer: Luanne Dequito
    Luanne Dequito
  • 4 days ago
  • 3 min read

“Love may know no borders — but when it comes to parent visas, policy does.” 

If you're planning to sponsor your father to join you in Australia on a parent visa, one of the first—and most critical—requirements you'll face is the Balance of Family Test. Understanding this test can mean the difference between a successful visa application and an unexpected refusal. 

Here’s what every child should know before starting the process. 

 

What is the Balance of Family Test? 

The Balance of Family Test is a legal requirement for most Australian parent visa subclasses. It assesses the proportion of your parent’s children who live permanently in Australia versus those who live in other countries. 

✔ To pass the test, one of the following must be true: 

  • At least half of your parent’s children live permanently in Australia, or 

  • More of your parent’s children live in Australia than in any other single country 

This test helps ensure that parents migrating to Australia have strong family connections within the country. 

 

Why It Matters for Parent Visas 

The Balance of Family Test applies to most permanent parent visa subclasses, including: 

  • Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent) 

  • Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa 

  • Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (Non-Contributory) 

Note: The test does not apply to the Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa, making it a potential alternative if your parent doesn’t meet the test requirements. 

 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid 

Sponsoring your dad without fully understanding this requirement can result in wasted time, money, and effort. Watch out for these common issues: 

1. Miscounting Stepchildren or Deceased Children 

All children—including stepchildren, adopted children, and deceased children—must be accounted for in the family balance assessment. Incorrect reporting can lead to a failed test. 

2. Not Clarifying Permanent Residency Status 

Only children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens living in Australia count toward the test. 

3. Ignoring Children Living Abroad Temporarily 

If one of your siblings is temporarily living abroad (e.g., for work or study), their situation may still impact the test. You’ll need to prove their ties to Australia. 

4. Submitting Incomplete Family Records 

Failing to provide accurate documentation for each child can delay or damage your application. 

 

Required Documents 

To pass the Balance of Family Test, your application must include: 

  • Full birth certificates for each child 

  • Proof of each child’s current country of residence 

  • Evidence of Australian citizenship, PR, or visa status (where applicable) 

  • Death certificates (if any children are deceased) 

  • Adoption or custody documentation (if relevant) 

  • A completed Form 47PA (Application for Parent Visa) 

 

Policy Updates for 2025 

As of mid-2025, the Department of Home Affairs continues to: 

  • Maintain the Balance of Family Test for permanent visa subclasses 

  • Encourage temporary options like Subclass 870, especially where the test cannot be met 

  • Tighten scrutiny on documentation — particularly in cases with complex family arrangements 

If you're unsure whether your dad qualifies, an early consultation with a registered migration agent is highly recommended. 

 

Legacy Migration Can Help 

At Legacy Migration, we’ve helped countless families navigate the Balance of Family Test successfully. Our team provides: 

  • Comprehensive family assessments 

  • Expert advice on visa strategy (temporary vs. permanent) 

  • Accurate documentation support 

  • Clear guidance on how to prepare for future eligibility 

Whether your family is straightforward or complex, we handle every case with care and clarity. 

 

Want to Know if You’re Eligible? 

Book a consultation with Legacy Migration today and let our team walk you through your parent visa options — including whether your family passes the Balance of Family Test.





The information, updates, news, and advice provided are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalised guidance. For accurate advice regarding your specific migration case, we invite you to reach out to us directly by sending a message through this link: https://www.legacymigration.com.au/take-your-first-step-to-living-working-or-studying-in-australia


Migration Agents Registration Number: 1797357

QEAC Number: S041



 
 
 

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