Overview
The Former Resident Visa (Subclass 151) is a permanent residency pathway for individuals who have a significant historical connection to Australia but do not currently hold a valid visa. It is specifically designed for former long-term residents who spent a large portion of their childhood in Australia or for individuals who served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
This visa is distinct from the Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155/157). While the Resident Return Visa is for people who were permanent residents recently, the Subclass 151 is a "re-entry" pathway for those who have been away for many years—sometimes decades—and have lost their original residency status. It allows you to return to Australia to live and work permanently.
Important Limitations
- The "Never a Citizen" Rule: This is a critical legal threshold. If you were once an Australian citizen and renounced your citizenship, you are ineligible for the Subclass 151. You must instead explore "Resumption of Citizenship" pathways.
- The Age 45 "Hard" Limit: For the Long Residence stream, the age limit is strictly enforced. If you turn 45 before your application is lodged, you lose eligibility for this stream entirely.
- English Language Requirement: Applicants over the age of 18 are expected to have "functional English." If you cannot demonstrate this through testing or educational history, you may be required to pay a significant "second installment" fee before the visa is granted.
Rights as a Former Resident Visa Holder
Once granted, the Subclass 151 is a permanent visa that confers the following rights:
- Permanent Residency: You have the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
- Public Healthcare: You are eligible to enroll in Medicare, Australia’s national public health insurance scheme.
- Travel Facility: You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date the visa is granted. After 5 years, you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter the country.
- Path to Citizenship: Time spent in Australia on this visa counts toward the residency requirements for Australian citizenship.
- Family Sponsorship: You can include family members (partners and dependent children) in your application, and you may be able to sponsor eligible relatives for other visas in the future.
- Social Security: You may have access to certain social security payments, though waiting periods usually apply for most newly arrived residents.
Eligibility Quiz
Have you ever been an Australian citizen?
Key Developments
The base application charge for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) increased by approximately 3% as part of the annual indexation of visa application charges for the 2025-26 program year.
thinkvisa.com.au ↗The Australian Government announced that the planning levels for the "Special Eligibility" visa category, which includes the subclass 151 visa, will remain stable for the 2025-26 Migration Program to ensure continued access for former residents.
ausstudyvisa.com.au ↗New "visa hopping" restrictions came into effect, preventing holders of various temporary visas, such as Visitor (subclass 600) and Student (subclass 500) visas, from applying for most permanent visas while remaining onshore in Australia.
smithstonewalters.com ↗