Hidden among the "savings" in the recent budget is a nasty little regulation that seems to be slipping through unnoticed.

Four visa subclasses have been quietly repealed, stripping migrants of the right to sponsor carers, aged dependent relatives, "remaining relatives" and, most significantly, all but wealthy parents.

The measure is surprisingly harsh. Given that these visas make up barely 5% of the quota allowed to family migrants each year, one might even describe it as mean.

Carer visas enabled needy permanent residents or citizen Australians to sponsor a family member to care for them. The sponsor must have a medical condition requiring direct assistance with the practical aspects of everyday life that cannot reasonably be obtained from a relative or services in Australia.

The aged dependent relative visa was for relatives of retirement age who are wholly or substantially dependent on the Australian sponsor for financial support to meet their basic needs.