Of the 110,000 visas on offer in 2002-03, just over 43,000 visas have been allocated to the Family Migration Program.

Family stream migrants are selected on the basis of their family relationship with their Australian relative. All family migrants must be either sponsored or nominated by a close family member, partner, or fiancé(e) living in Australia.

For applications made in Australia, the main applicant and any dependents included in the application must be nominated.

For applications made outside Australia, the main applicant and any dependents included in the application must be sponsored.

PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISAS FOR PARTNERS

Spouse Visa
The wife or husband or de-facto partner of an Australian sponsor or nominator.

Prospective Marriage
Any fiancé(e) overseas who plans to marry their Australian sponsor in Australia.

Interdependent Partner
A person in a same-sex relationship with an Australian partner involving a mutual commitment to a shared life together.

PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISAS FOR PARENTS

Working Age Parent
A person outside Australia who is not old enough to be granted an Australian age pension (males = 65, females = 63) and who meets the balance of family test.

Aged Parent
A person either in or outside Australia who is old enough to be granted an Australian aged pension (males = 65, females = 63) and who meets the balance of the family test.

PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISAS FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

Remaining Relative
A person who has no close family ties outside Australia and is the brother, sister, child or step equivalent of an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or Eligible New Zealand Citizen.