Want to move to Australia from Nigeria with your family? This 2025 step-by-step guide explains skilled migration, student visa route, family sponsorship, requirements, documents, proof of funds and official links to the Australian government and High Commission in Nigeria.

How to Move to Australia From Nigeria With Family (2025 Guide)

If you’re in Lagos, Abuja or anywhere in Naija asking yourself:

“How can I relocate to Australia with my spouse and kids – legally – without getting scammed?”

You’re not alone. Australia is attractive because of:

Strong salaries and job opportunities
High-quality schools and healthcare
A clear (even if strict) immigration system

The good news is: yes, Nigerians can move to Australia with their family – but you need to pick the right pathway and follow the process step-by-step.

In this guide, I’ll break it down in a very practical way, like I’m planning my own move:

The main visa routes you can use
Which routes work best for families
Requirements, documents, proof of funds
Official links so you’re not relying on agents’ “word of mouth”

Big Picture: Main Ways to Move to Australia With Family

Broadly speaking, Australia’s migration system is grouped into three main streams: skilled, family and humanitarian.

For most Nigerians, the realistic “move with family” options are:

Skilled migration (PR or provisional) with dependants
- Subclass 189, 190, 491 (and some employer-sponsored visas).
Study route (Student visa 500) + dependants, then later transition to work/PR.
Family/partner visas – if your spouse/partner or parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Humanitarian/refugee routes – only if you genuinely fit that legal category.

Let’s go through each one, focusing on what it means as a Nigerian relocating with family.

Route 1: Skilled Migration With Family (PR & Provisional Visas)

If you or your spouse have strong qualifications and work experience in an in-demand occupation, skilled migration is often the cleanest way to move the whole family.

Australia uses different skilled visas, including:

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – points-tested PR, no state or employer sponsorship.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – PR, but requires state government nomination.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – temporary visa to live/work in regional Australia, with a pathway to PR.

These visas all fall under the skilled stream, and you can include eligible family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) in your application.

1.1 Basic requirements for skilled visas (for the main applicant)

To migrate under these skilled visas, you typically must:

Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
Be under 45 years at the time of invitation
Get a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
Meet English language requirements (e.g. IELTS, PTE, OET)
Score at least 65 points on the points test (higher is usually needed)
Meet health and character requirements

You can read the official overview of skilled visas and requirements on the Australian Government site:

1.2 Including your family in a skilled visa application

The good part: your family can come in the same application if they meet health and character rules.

Family members you can normally include:

Your spouse or de facto partner
Your dependent children (usually under 18, or older if still dependent)

Each added family member:

Must do medical exams and provide police certificates.
Will get the same visa status as you – e.g. PR if you get 189/190, or temporary if you get 491.

State and territory nomination pages (like Northern Territory, Western Australia, Victoria) all confirm that dependant family members can be included when applying for skilled visas.

1.3 Typical skilled migration process (simplified)

If I were aiming for skilled PR from Nigeria with my spouse and kids, my plan would look like this:

Check my profession
- Find out if my occupation is on Australia’s Skilled Occupation Lists.
- Good starting point: Down Under Centre – Skilled Visas
Do a skills assessment
- Use the right assessing body (e.g. Engineers Australia, ANMAC for nurses, etc.).
Take an English test
- Usually IELTS Academic/General, PTE Academic or similar to prove English ability.
Calculate my points (with family in mind)
- Age, education, work experience, English scores, partner skills, etc.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
- For visas like 189, 190 or 491.
Wait for an invitation
- If invited, lodge the full visa application, including all family members.
Do medicals and police checks
- For myself, spouse, and kids.
Visa grant
- If approved, everyone moves together as PR or provisional residents.

For a detailed step-by-step on 189 (example):

👉 Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – IDP Nigeria outline

Route 2: Study in Australia First, Then Move Family (Student Visa 500)

Another popular route is:

You go first as a student, then bring your family, then later switch to a work visa or PR when your profile is stronger.

The main visa here is the Student visa (subclass 500). According to the Department of Home Affairs, this visa lets you study in Australia and, in many cases, bring family members.

2.1 Who counts as “family” on a student visa?

Under the Student 500 rules, you can include:

Your spouse or de facto partner
Your dependent children under 18

Key points:

You can include them in your initial student visa application, or
They can join later as subsequent entrants (still under subclass 500), but only if you declared them as family at the start.

Official guidance:

Universities also explain this clearly:

2.2 Conditions when moving with family on a student visa

A few realities you need to factor in:

Proof of funds is higher
- You must show you can cover your tuition + living costs + family’s costs.
Work limits
- Student visa holders and most family members can only work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods (subject to current rules).
Children must attend school
- Any child aged 5–18 who stays 3+ months must attend full-time school, with fees.

There are also subsequent entrant options if your family wants to join later:

👉 Subsequent entrant Visa 500 – guide

If I personally chose this route, I’d calculate all costs for 1–2 years before even applying, because moving with spouse and kids as a student can be financially heavy.

Route 3: Family & Partner Visas (If Your Sponsor is in Australia)

If your spouse/partner, parent or close relative is already an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be able to move under the family stream.

The Department of Home Affairs groups these under family visas, including:

Partner visas (spouse/de facto, e.g. subclasses 309/100, 820/801)
Child visas
Parent visas (with very long processing times)
Other dependent relative visas in limited cases

Official info:

A quick explanation from a general advisory:

3.1 Partner visas (spouse/fiancé(e)/de facto)

Partner visas are two-stage: temporary then permanent, often granted together if the relationship is long-standing.

You usually need to show:

Genuine and continuing relationship (photos, joint finances, messages, etc.)
Your partner is an Australian citizen or PR
You both meet health and character requirements

Given recent debates and backlogs in partner processing, you must expect long wait times and prepare strong evidence.

3.2 Parent visas (VERY long queues)

Parent visas are technically a pathway, but for many people they’re almost unrealistic:

Standard parent visa waits can be 14–31 years, and thousands of applicants have reportedly died before visa grant.

Unless you’re looking at temporary sponsored parent visas (which have different conditions and costs), relying on parent visas as your main “family move” route is very long-term.

Route 4: Humanitarian/Refugee Pathways (Specific Situations Only)

There are humanitarian and refugee resettlement options, but they are not general “japa” visas. They’re meant for people who:

Face serious persecution or danger, and
Meet strict protection criteria.

These are complex and should only be considered if your situation genuinely fits. Most Nigerians moving with family will use skilled, study or family stream visas instead.

How to Start From Nigeria – Step-by-Step Plan

If I were in Nigeria planning to move my family to Australia, this is the realistic 7-step game plan I’d follow:

Step 1: Choose your main route

Ask:

Do I have strong qualifications + work experience? → Skilled migration
Can I afford international tuition + family costs? → Student 500 route
Do I have an Aussie spouse/parent? → Family/partner visas

You can see all visa categories from Nigeria here:

👉 Australian High Commission in Nigeria – Travelling to Australia

Step 2: Check official requirements for that visa

Use the Department of Home Affairs:

Skilled: Skilled visa overview
Student 500: Student visa (subclass 500)
Family: Applying for a family visa

Step 3: Gather and upgrade your profile

Depending on your chosen route:

Take IELTS/PTE (and get good scores).
Get skills assessment done if going the skilled route.
Secure admission to an Australian institution if going via studies.
Collect relationship evidence if going via partner visa.

Step 4: Prepare proof of funds

Australia doesn’t publish one simple number for all visas, but in general:

Skilled: must show you and family members meet financial, health, and character tests; many costs are assumed to be covered by your future salary.
Student: must show tuition + living costs + family costs (Home Affairs publishes living cost benchmarks per year).
Family: sponsor must show they can support you; details depend on visa type.

I’d personally calculate one full year of realistic expenses in AUD for my whole family, then make sure my documentation matches that.

Step 5: Lodge the right application from Nigeria

Most applications are lodged online via ImmiAccount:

👉 ImmiAccount – online visa application portal (link from Home Affairs site)

Biometrics, medicals and sometimes interviews are done via authorised centres or panel clinics in/around Nigeria, as directed by the embassy.

Step 6: Do medicals and police checks

Everyone included in your application (you, spouse, kids) must meet health and character requirements:

Health checks (panel doctors)
Nigerian police clearance (and any other relevant countries)

Home Affairs mentions this repeatedly for skilled and family visas.

Step 7: Plan your landing and early months

Once the visas are granted:

Decide where in Australia you’ll live (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, regional area, etc.).
If you have kids, research school enrolment and costs in your state.
Budget for the first 3–6 months when you may still be job-hunting or settling in.

Common Mistakes Nigerians Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Trusting agents instead of reading official sites
- Always cross-check advice with immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and the Australian High Commission in Nigeria.
Underestimating total family costs
- School fees, rent, healthcare, transport – especially on a student visa – add up fast.
Not including family in initial student visa
- If you don’t declare family when you first apply for a Student 500, they may not be allowed to join later as dependants.
Ignoring English tests and skills assessment standards
- For skilled visas, poor English scores or incomplete skills assessments can kill your application.
Falling for fake “job offers”
- Genuine Australian employers don’t ask you to pay for job offers. If someone wants money to “guarantee visa sponsorship,” that’s a red flag.

FAQs

1. What is the best way for a Nigerian family to move to Australia?

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but the strongest routes in 2025 are:

Skilled visas (189, 190, 491) if you have in-demand qualifications and experience.
Student visa 500 with dependants, if you can afford studies and want to build Canadian-style local experience.
Family/partner visas, if you already have an Australian citizen or PR spouse/parent.

2. Can I move to Australia with my wife and kids on a skilled visa?

Yes. Skilled visas generally allow you to include your spouse/partner and dependent children in one application, as long as they meet health and character requirements.

3. Can I study in Australia and take my family along?

Yes – the Student visa (subclass 500) lets many international students include their spouse/partner and children, or bring them later as subsequent entrants, but you must declare them in the initial application.

4. How do I apply for an Australian visa from Nigeria?

All non-citizens need a visa before travelling to Australia.
You typically apply online via ImmiAccount, then complete biometrics and medical exams through centres directed by the Australian High Commission in Nigeria:

👉 Australian High Commission in Nigeria – Travelling to Australia

5. Is it easy to bring my parents from Nigeria to Australia?

Unfortunately, parent visas have extremely long queues, sometimes 14–31 years, and are very expensive in some categories. Many applicants have even died while waiting.

For most families, the focus is first on moving the nuclear family (spouse and kids), then exploring temporary parent options later if finances and rules allow.