Group Applications and Sponsorship in Australia: what actually matters to know
Short answer
Strengthen your Australian visa application by creating a group in ImmiAccount for family members and clearly linking your financial status through bank statements, employment verification, or sponsorship letters. Submit evidence of property ownership and travel history, such as previous visas, to demonstrate strong ties to your home country and intent to return.
From real experience
To demonstrate strong ties to the home country for Australian visa applications, applicants can include property ownership documents (real estate, vehicles).
While specific upload sections for these might not be explicit, they can potentially be uploaded under 'Evidence of the financial status and funding for visit' or mentioned in the cover letter. If a family member has ETA eligibility, listing them as a 'travel buddy' on other family members' visa applications can strengthen the application by showing group travel plans and intention to return. Honesty and full declaration of all items (as per customs regulations) are highly valued by Australian authorities.
✓ 1 report from chats
For Australian visa 600 applications: 1. Passport scans: Submit copies of the current passport and any previous passports containing visas.
You do not need to scan every blank page; focus on pages with identity info and travel stamps. 2. Unused visas: It is recommended to include copies of visas even if they weren't used for entry, as they demonstrate travel history. 3. Group applications: When applying for family, create a group in the ImmiAccount and list family members as accompanying travelers.
✓ 1 report from chats
Visa Application Statistics (Australia): Applicant 1: Filed 07.05, Biometrics 21.05, Visa 12.06. Supporting documents included: invitation letter, sponsor's passport/address/financials (statements, savings), applicant's work leave certificate, property, own financials (3 months movement, small balance), cover letter mentioning family, joint travel photos.
Applicant 2: Filed 06.05, Biometrics 13.05, Visa 12.06 (3 years).
✓ 1 report from chats
When applying for an Australian visa, photos are no longer required.
For group applications, one cover letter signed by both parties is sufficient. Supporting documents for financial status (bank statements, employment proof, sponsor ID, sponsorship letter) can be uploaded to the 'Evidence of financial status' section. Birth certificates or other supplementary docs can be uploaded to the 'Others' section; files should be clearly named.
✓ 1 report from chats
Once the visa application fee is paid, individual applications cannot be combined.
If traveling with companions, it is necessary to either apply as a group before payment or for each individual to submit a separate application. Additional documents can be attached post-payment, but the application itself cannot be merged. To correct errors after submission, use the 'Update details' and 'Notification of incorrect answer(s)' functions within ImmiAccount.
✓ 1 report from chats
If you have a low official salary but a significant amount of savings and your spouse has a good income and savings, it's recommended to choose the 'sponsorship' option for your Australian visa application.
Submit both your financial documents and your spouse's supporting documents, along with a sponsorship letter. Indicate your relationship as 'de facto partner' if applicable.
✓ 1 report from chats
For joint visa applications where one applicant has low official income, designate the other applicant as the financial sponsor.
Provide a cover letter, the sponsor's bank statements (showing sufficient funds/transaction history), and employment verification. In the visa form, declare the sponsor's funds for both applicants.