Subclass 151 / An earlier connection to Australia
Former Resident visa (subclass 151) Past connections. A future to consider.
An earlier life in Australia may be relevant to your next move. We help you check the specific former-resident or Australian defence-service requirements before you make a plan.
- Outcome
- Permanent residence
- Application
- Inside or outside Australia
- Pathways
- Long residence or qualifying defence service
A clearer family plan
Your Australian history. The requirements today.
This is a narrowly defined permanent visa. Having once lived in Australia or held permanent residence does not, by itself, establish eligibility. The long-residence and defence-service routes have different requirements.
We also review your current status and travel history to see whether another returning-resident option should be considered. Subclass 151 is not a general family-sponsorship visa.
The details that shape the plan
What needs to be checked.
We will confirm what applies to your family. Start with the details below.
A useful starting point
- Old passports and permanent-visa records
- Childhood residence and school records
- Evidence of continuing Australian ties
- Defence-service records, if relevant
- Current family and visa-history documents
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Check the long-residence route
Applicants aged 18 or over need at least nine years in Australia as a permanent resident before turning 18. For applicants under 18, the threshold is at least half their life as a permanent resident.
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Check age and continuing ties
The long-residence route requires application before age 45, no previous Australian citizenship, and maintained close business, cultural or personal ties with Australia.
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Consider qualifying defence service
A separate route covers specified Australian defence service before 1981, including the qualifying continuous-service or service-related medical-discharge circumstances. It has no age limit.
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Review the current application position
Check visa history, health, character and included family members. An Assurance of Support may be requested. Your application location also determines where you must be at decision.
Permanent residence and travel are different
Permanent residence allows indefinite stay. The initial travel facility is generally five years. Later overseas travel may require a Resident Return visa or another valid return arrangement.
A plan you can follow
From the first question to the next step.
We agree the work and fees before starting, so you know what support is included.
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Reconstruct the relevant history
Gather residence, status, Australian ties or defence-service evidence for the applicable route.
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Prepare the paper application
Use current Form 47SV, the correct payment and supporting documents. Initial online lodgement is not available.
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Manage the case and decision location
Import the acknowledged application into ImmiAccount where available. If you applied in Australia, you must be here at decision; if you applied outside, you must be outside.
A little more clarity
Your questions, made clearer.
A few answers to help you plan. We can look at the details of your situation together.
Does any former permanent resident qualify?
No. The visa has specific long-residence or defence-service requirements. A Resident Return visa or another pathway may be more relevant.
Does the under-45 rule apply to both routes?
No. It applies to the long-residence route. There is no age requirement for the qualifying defence-service route.
Can I include my family?
Eligible members of the family unit can be included, subject to their own requirements. We will check dependency, relationship and any under-18 care evidence.
Can I apply inside Australia?
Yes, subject to the application requirements and any restrictions. You must also be in Australia at decision if you applied here.
Is subclass 151 in the Other Family queue?
No. Home Affairs excludes it from the capped queue applying to the six Aged Dependent Relative, Remaining Relative and Carer subclasses.
What will it cost and how long will it take?
We agree the professional work and fees before starting. Check current government charges and the processing-time guide. Published estimates are not a promised decision date.
Your next step starts with you
Your history matters. Let’s check the next step.
Share your earlier Australian visa and residence history, or relevant defence service. We will help you understand what needs to be established.