The Aged Dependent Relative and Remaining Relative visas are two of Australia's "Other Family" permanent visa categories — family migration pathways distinct from the parent visa queue and partner/child visa streams. Both visas are for persons with a close family connection in Australia but who do not fit the parent visa criteria. Both are permanent visas with extremely long queues — demand significantly exceeds the annual places available. As at 31 March 2026, the most recently released applications in both categories were lodged with a queue date of up to 30 June 2013, meaning newly lodged applications face a wait of well over a decade before processing can even commence.

For current queue release dates and the most recent processing information, refer to the DHA Other Family visa queue page.

• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 114 (Aged Dependent Relative) — offshore aged dependent relative criteria
• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 838 (Aged Dependent Relative) — onshore aged dependent relative criteria
• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 115 (Remaining Relative) — offshore remaining relative criteria
• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 835 (Remaining Relative) — onshore remaining relative criteria
• DHA: About Other Family visas — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/other-family-visas
• DHA: Other family visa queue release dates — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/other-family-queue

Aged Dependent Relative visa — subclasses 114 (offshore) and 838 (onshore)

The Aged Dependent Relative visa is for an older, single person who is financially or emotionally dependent on a close relative in Australia. Key requirements:

The "aged" requirement

The applicant must be of "pensionable age" under Australian law — currently 67 years or older (the Australian pension age). This means the applicant must have reached (or will reach by the time of decision) the age at which they would be eligible for an Age Pension in Australia.

The "single" requirement

The applicant must be single — they must be widowed, divorced, or never married. A person who is currently married or in an ongoing de facto relationship is not eligible for this visa. If the applicant's spouse has died, they may qualify.

The dependency requirement

The applicant must be financially or emotionally dependent on the sponsoring relative in Australia. Financial dependency means the Australian relative provides (or helps provide) financial support for the applicant's basic needs. Emotional dependency means the applicant requires the regular care, company, or support of the Australian relative due to age or frailty. Both financial and emotional dependency can count — they are alternatives, not cumulative requirements.

The sponsoring relative

The sponsoring relative in Australia must be an eligible relative (a child, sibling, or certain other defined relatives) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen. The sponsor lodges a Form 40 and must meet sponsorship eligibility criteria.

Remaining Relative visa — subclasses 115 (offshore) and 835 (onshore)

The Remaining Relative visa is for a person whose only near relatives live in Australia. The core concept is that the applicant has no close family remaining elsewhere in the world — all their near relatives are already in Australia. Key requirements:

The "near relative" definition

For the Remaining Relative visa, "near relative" means a parent, sibling (including half-siblings), or adult child. The test is whether the applicant has any near relatives who are NOT in Australia. If the applicant has even one near relative living overseas (other than the visa applicant themselves and their immediate household), they generally fail the remaining relative test.

All near relatives must be in Australia

The applicant must demonstrate that all of their near relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, adult children) are either:

• Residents of Australia (citizens, PRs, or SCV holders), or
• Applying for this visa alongside the applicant as secondary applicants

If the applicant's parent is alive and living overseas, the applicant does not qualify — even if the parent is an elderly person unable to travel. The remaining relative test is strict.

The Australian sponsor

The applicant must have an eligible near relative in Australia who sponsors them — an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen who is a parent, sibling, or adult child of the applicant.

The queue — extremely long processing times

Both the Aged Dependent Relative and Remaining Relative visa categories have annual intake limits that are far exceeded by demand. The result is a queue that is measured in decades:

• As at 31 March 2026, applications with a queue date of up to 30 June 2013 have been released for final processing in both categories
• An application lodged in 2026 can expect to wait more than a decade before it is released for processing
• Queue release dates are published periodically on the DHA Other Family visa queue page

These queues are considerably longer than even the non-contributory parent visa queue. The long wait reflects the limited annual places available for these categories compared to demand.

Alternatives to consider

Given the extreme queue lengths, persons who wish to have elderly relatives in Australia may consider alternatives:

• The Contributory Parent visa (143/884) — a much faster permanent pathway that requires a significant second instalment visa application charge; see the contributory parent visa page
• The Sponsored Parent Temporary visa (870) — a temporary visa (3 or 5 years, renewable) for parents of Australian citizens/PRs; see the sponsored parent temporary page
• The Carer visa (116/836) — for persons who provide long-term care to a relative in Australia with a medical need; see the carer visa page

For elderly relatives who are already in Australia, the Visitor visa (600) with a long-stay permission may be an interim option while waiting for a permanent visa to be processed, subject to meeting visitor visa conditions.

The Aged Dependent Relative and Remaining Relative visa categories are sometimes overlooked in family migration planning because their queues are so long. However, for persons who genuinely qualify — particularly a surviving parent who is widowed and elderly with no relatives outside Australia — these visas remain the correct permanent pathway. The advice to anyone considering these visas is to lodge as early as possible (queue date runs from application lodgement) and to explore interim options (Sponsored Parent 870, visitor visa stays, or Carer visa if applicable) while the queue runs. For current queue release dates and the precise eligibility criteria for each subclass, refer to the DHA Other Family visa page and the DHA Other Family visa queue page.