Citizenship and residence · Subclass 151
Former Resident visa
Permanent visa for some former permanent residents who grew up in Australia, and for certain pre-1981 Australian Defence Force members.
Who it is for
Former Australian permanent residents who spent a long period in Australia as children (long residence requirement), or people who served in the Australian Defence Force before 1981 (defence service requirement).
Key eligibility
- Long residence: if 18 or over, at least 9 years in Australia as a permanent resident before turning 18 (if under 18, at least half your life); under 45 when you apply; never an Australian citizen; plus the other long residence conditions on the Home Affairs page.
- Defence service: before 1981, at least 3 months of continuous Australian defence service, or discharge earlier as medically unfit because of that service. No age limit.
- Close ties to Australia, health and character; an Assurance of Support may be asked for.
- Apply on paper.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
In or outside Australia, not in immigration clearance. If you apply in Australia you must be in Australia at the decision; if outside, outside at the decision.
Your journey, step by step
First enquiry
You tell us your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent identifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
Confirm the requirement you meet
Long residence or defence service.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent checks childhood residence or service records.
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
Evidence
Old visa and residence records, school records, or defence service records.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent obtains and organises historic records.
Paper lodgement
Lodge the paper application with the charge.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent lodges the paper application correctly.
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
Permanent residence
Medicare and citizenship when eligible.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent plans citizenship timing.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$6,005 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$3,000 |
| Family member under 18 | A$1,500 |
| Second instalment, each applicant 18 or over without functional English | A$4,890 |
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Processing times are not published for this visa.
Not listed in the Home Affairs processing time guide when read on 22 October 2026.. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Not enough years of permanent residence as a child.
- 45 or over (long residence).
- Previously an Australian citizen.
- Defence service not proven.
- Character, especially where a past visa was cancelled.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
Charges from 1 July 2026: main applicant A$6,005.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Former Resident visa (subclass 151)
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Related
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.
Talk it through. The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts only after a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.