Overview
Subclass 151 (Former Resident) is the homecoming visa for a narrow group: people whose formative years were spent in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident, or who served in the Australian defence forces — and who kept real ties since.
Defining features:
- Defined residence window: commonly 9 of the first 18 years of life in Australia as citizen/PR (or qualifying defence service).
- Ongoing ties — business, cultural, employment or personal — must be evidenced.
- Direct permanent residence on grant.
- Narrow eligibility — check the dates precisely before investing in an application.
Detailed legal content (the defined period, defence service criteria) needs verification against current rules. Book a consultation to test the residence history against the requirement before lodging.
Key eligibility
- Long residence: commonly 9 of your first 18 years spent in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident — OR relevant Australian defence service
- Maintained business, cultural, employment or personal ties to Australia
- Never ceased to hold Australian citizenship
- Health and character requirements
Process
- 01
Map the residence/service history
Precise dates against the defined period — school records, old visas, defence records.
- 02
Evidence ongoing ties
Business, cultural, employment or personal connections maintained since leaving.
- 03
Lodge the 151
Grant confers permanent residence directly.
Estimated cost
| Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) | AUD 6,005 |
| VisaAffairs service fee | Quoted after initial consultation |
| Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) | Varies by case |
How VisaAffairs helps
Clear eligibility assessment
VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.
Document set reviewed item-by-item
Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.
Case officer tracking
VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.