Charges from 1 July 2026: main applicant A$6,005.
Visa file / Citizenship, residence and bridging visas
Former Resident visa 151
Permanent visa for some former permanent residents who grew up in Australia, and for certain pre-1981 Australian Defence Force members.
In force
File: 151
Main chargeA$6,005
Information checked22 October 2026
Personal adviceRegistered agent only
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).
Published 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 you apply from
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.
Related
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
First enquiry
You tell the registered migration agent your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
Where a registered migration agent can helpIdentifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
- 02
Confirm the requirement you meet
Long residence or defence service.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks childhood residence or service records.
- 03
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 04
Evidence
Old visa and residence records, school records, or defence service records.
Where a registered migration agent can helpObtains and organises historic records.
- 05
Paper lodgement
Lodge the paper application with the charge.
Where a registered migration agent can helpLodges the paper application correctly.
- 06
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
- 07
Permanent residence
Medicare and citizenship when eligible.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans citizenship timing.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
Processing times: not published by Home Affairs for this visa. Not listed in the Home Affairs processing time guide. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- 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. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Residence or service
Identity and character
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
Sources
- Home Affairs: Former Resident visa (subclass 151)
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
Where this becomes advice
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.