Balance-of-Family-Test (BoFT) is mandatory. There is no provision to seek exemption from this test even if compelling or exceptional grounds exist.
You meet the BoFT only if,
- at least half of your children (including step and adopted children) are eligible children,
or
- there are more eligible children living in Australia, than children living in any other single country
Few examples of BoFT
| Number of Children | Children living in Australia | Children living in country A | Children living in country B | Children living in country C | Result of the BoFT |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Pass |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Pass |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Fail |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Fail |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Pass |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Fail |
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Pass |
