Families separated by Australia’s parent visa backlog are facing emotional and financial strain, with some applicants waiting decades for reunification, according to speakers set to attend a community forum in Melbourne’s west.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge will join a panel discussion at the Laverton Community Hub on June 13 to discuss the parent visa system, rising costs and processing delays affecting migrant families.
The discussion comes amid broader debate over Australia’s migration settings and family reunion policies. Organisers say parent visa queues have stretched to as long as 40 years, leaving many families uncertain about whether they will be able to reunite permanently.
According to figures cited by organisers, family visas made up a far larger share of Australia’s migration intake during the 1980s, while the current system allocates a greater proportion of places to skilled migration.
Radha Sundarakumar, an active member of Indian seniors and Tamil community groups in Melbourne’s western suburbs, said temporary arrangements and lengthy waiting periods were taking a toll on families.
“Parents arrive in Australia filled with joy, finding comfort and happiness in spending precious time with their grandchildren. Yet, that joy is often overshadowed by the pain of uncertain visa arrangements, as families are forced to say difficult goodbyes and endure long periods of anxiety while waiting for reunification.”
Radha Sundarakumar, an active member of Indian seniors and Tamil community groups in Melbourne’s western suburbs, said temporary arrangements and lengthy waiting periods were taking a toll on families
Ponraj Krishna Pandi, a candidate in the 2026 Victorian state election, said the issue had become increasingly common among migrant families in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
“As someone who has spent a lot of time listening to senior citizen communities and my own firsthand personal experience applying for a parent visa, I have seen how burdensome Australia’s system is for families. It needs serious reform that puts the dignity, flexibility, choice, and wellbeing of our elderly at the centre, not bureaucracy.”
Senator Shoebridge said family reunion had become harder as visa backlogs continued to grow.
“For decades we have seen the major parties treating migrants as little more than economic inputs, not as people. Bringing people here on temporary work visas often ignores the need for community and family.
“Now we see the same parties trying to scapegoat migrants for issues that big corporations and the political class have created. All the while unprocessed partner applications are at an all-time high and people wait decades to try and bring their parents over.
“We need a fast and fair family visa system, one that treats migrants as people and part of the community and entitled to live with their whole family.”
The forum will be held at the Laverton Community Hub on Railway Avenue between 2pm and 3.30pm on Saturday, June 13. Organisers say the session will focus on the challenges facing migrant families and possible changes to the parent visa program.
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