What Is the Balance of Family Test?

When applying for certain Australian parent visas, one of the most important eligibility requirements is the Balance of Family Test.

Put simply, the Balance of Family Test looks at where a parent’s children live to determine whether Australia is the parent’s main country of family support.

Why Does the Balance of Family Test Exist?

The Australian Government uses the Balance of Family Test to ensure that parent migration is primarily available to families who have a strong and ongoing connection to Australia.

It is designed to limit the number of parent visas granted where most of a parent’s children live overseas.

How the Balance of Family Test Works

A parent will satisfy the Balance of Family Test if either of the following applies:

1. At Least Half of Their Children Live Permanently in Australia

If a parent has:

• Two children, at least one must live permanently in Australia; or
• Four children, at least two must live permanently in Australia.

Children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens and usually live in Australia are counted toward this requirement.

2. More Children Live Permanently in Australia Than in Any Other Single Country

This option applies when a parent’s children are spread across multiple countries.

For example:

• Two children in Australia
• One child in the United Kingdom
• One child in Canada
• One child in New Zealand

In this case, the parent passes the Balance of Family Test because Australia has more children than any other individual country.

Who Is Considered a “Child” Under the Test?

For the Balance of Family Test, “children” include:

• Biological children
• Adopted children
• Stepchildren

All children are counted, regardless of age, marital status, or level of contact. Even estranged children or adult children living independently must be included in the assessment.

Which Visas Require the Balance of Family Test?

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

• Contributory Parent visas (Subclass 143 and 173)
• Aged Parent visas (Subclass 804 and 864)
• Parent visa (Subclass 103)

It does not apply to the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870), which is why some families choose this option when they do not meet the test.

Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings

Many applications run into trouble due to misunderstandings about the Balance of Family Test, such as:

• Assuming only Australian-based children are counted
• Believing estranged children are excluded
• Miscalculating where children “usually reside”
• Overlooking stepchildren or adopted children

Once a parent visa application is lodged, the assessment is fixed at the time of application, making it difficult to correct errors later.

Why Legal Advice Matters

The Balance of Family Test can be straightforward in some cases, but complex in others, particularly for blended families or families with children living across several countries.

At Morgan Clifford Legal Services, our migration lawyers:

• Assess whether the Balance of Family Test is met
• Identify alternative visa pathways if it is not
• Ensure correct evidence is prepared and submitted
• Help families avoid costly refusals and delays

What Is the Balance of Family Test?

The Balance of Family Test is a critical requirement for most Australian parent visas and often determines whether an application can proceed at all.

Understanding how it works before applying can save years of waiting and significant expense.

If you are considering bringing your parents to Australia and are unsure how the Balance of Family Test applies to your family,  Morgan Clifford Legal Services can provide clear, tailored advice to help you move forward with confidence.

Get in touch today to see how we can help you.

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