Balance of Family

The balance-of-family test measures your ties to Australia. You meet this requirement if either:

  • at least half of your children live permanently in Australia
  • more of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other country

You must meet this requirement to be granted this visa. It cannot be waived, even in compelling or exceptional circumstances.

The table below gives some examples of families with different numbers of children and whether they would pass the balance-of-family test.

Total Children Children in Australia Children in countries other than Australia Passes Test
Country A Country B Country C Country D

1

1

-

-

-

-

Yes

2

1

1

-

-

-

Yes

3

1

2

-

-

-

No

3

1

1

1

-

-

No

4

2

2

-

-

-

Yes

4

1

1

1

1

-

No

4

1

2

1

-

-

No

5

1

1

1

1

1

No

5

2

1

1

1

-

Yes

5

3

2

-

-

-

Yes

6

2

2

2

-

-

No