Former Resident Visa (Subclass 151)

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.

• 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.

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.