Remaining Relative visa (subclass 115 / 835) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. Permanent residence - but with a very long queue.

Visa typePermanent

LodgementOffshore (115) / Onshore (835)

StayPermanent

Work rightsUnlimited

Study rightsYes

Government charge~$5,125

Processing timeVery long - many years in the queue

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 115 / 835 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Audit the family tree
The client and their partner must have no near relatives (parents, siblings, non-dependent children) outside Australia. One overseas sibling breaks the definition - map the whole family before advising.
Sponsorship and lodgement
The Australian relative sponsors; lodge with the family evidence.
Queue and decision
Very long queue - clients need a realistic bridging plan for the years in between.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 115 / 835 is viable.

Your only near relatives are Australian citizens/PRs/eligible NZ citizens settled in AustraliaAn eligible sponsorPass the 'remaining relative' definition (no overseas near relatives)Health and character requirements

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4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentFamily composition documents proving all near relatives are settled in AustraliaSponsor's status and relationship evidence

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5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	~$5,125
Health examinations (per person)	~$300-500
Police certificates	~$42-150 each
Relationship registration (where used)	State fees vary
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

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7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 115 / 835 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Amir from South Africa

Background: Amir, a hospitality manager from South Africa. People whose only close family lives in Australia - they have no near relatives elsewhere.
Why it qualified: (1) Your only near relatives are Australian citizens/PRs/eligible NZ citizens settled in Australia. (2) An eligible sponsor. (3) Pass the 'remaining relative' definition (no overseas near relatives).
What made the file strong: Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Very long - many years in the queue).

Grant: Ngoc from Mexico

Background: Ngoc, a retired shopkeeper from Mexico. People whose only close family lives in Australia - they have no near relatives elsewhere.
Why it qualified: (1) Your only near relatives are Australian citizens/PRs/eligible NZ citizens settled in Australia. (2) An eligible sponsor. (3) Pass the 'remaining relative' definition (no overseas near relatives).
What made the file strong: The file opened with a short submission mapping each criterion to its evidence, so the case officer never had to hunt.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Very long - many years in the queue).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Omar from Egypt

Background: Omar, a marketing coordinator from Egypt, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 115 / 835.
What went wrong: Having near relatives overseas that break the 'remaining relative' definition
Outcome: The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent: Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.

Refusal: Priya from Brazil

Background: Priya, a small-business owner from Brazil, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 115 / 835.
What went wrong: Very long queue
Outcome: The Department refused; the client lost the application charge, months of lead time, and in this subclass a refusal also complicates any onshore follow-up.
Lesson for the agent: Put this issue on the document checklist on day one and refuse to lodge until it is closed out.

9. Self-exam

9 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

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