This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

What this law does

This legal instrument sets a strict annual limit (cap) on how many parent and family reunion visas could be granted in the 2014/15 financial year.

The limits

Parent visas: Maximum of 1,550 grants. This covers both standard Parent (Migrant) visas and Aged Parent (Residence) visas for elderly parents living in Australia.
Other Family visas: Maximum of 510 grants. This includes visas for other family members like dependent relatives or carers.

Why it matters

These caps control how many people can permanently reunite with family in Australia each year. Once the limit was hit, applications had to wait until the next financial year. The numbers include New Zealand citizens even though they are counted separately from Australia's main Migration Program.

This is made under section 85 of the Migration Act (the part of the law that lets the Minister set yearly visa limits).

Commonwealth of Australia

Migration Act 1958

GRANTING OF PARENT AND OTHER FAMILY VISAS IN 2014/2015 FINANCIAL YEAR

(Section 85)

I, MICHAELIA CASH, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, acting under section 85 of the Migration Act 1958 (‘the Act’):

DETERMINE that the maximum number of:

(a) Parent (Migrant) (Class AX) visas; and

(b) Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP) visas

that may be granted in the financial year 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 is 1550. This figure includes grants to New Zealand citizens that are not included in the Migration Program.

DETERMINE that the maximum number of:

(a) Other Family (Migrant) (Class BO) visas; and

(b) Other Family (Residence) (Class BU) visas

that may be granted in the financial year 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 is 510. This figure includes grants to New Zealand citizens that are not included in the Migration Program.

This instrument, IMMI 14/050, commences on 1 July 2014.

Dated 26 June 2014

MICHAELIA CASH

Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection