Parent Visa
Introduction
An Australian parents’ visa helps to reunite families permanently or temporarily to bring parents to live in Australia. If you are an Australian citizen living in Australia or a New Zealand citizen, you can sponsor your parents to join you. This visa is important as it allows families to live together, so parents can be closer to their children and grandchildren. Australia offers different parents’ visa options, including temporary migration and permanent ways of living through different subclasses.
Main Parent Visa Subclasses:
- Subclass 103 (Parent Visa – Non-Contributory)
- Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent Visa)
- Subclass 173 (Contributory Parent Temporary)
- Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent Temporary)
- Subclass 804/864 (Aged Parent Visas)
Comparison of Parent Visa Subclasses
| Visa Type | Subclass | Processing Time | Cost | Duration | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent Visa (Non-Contributory) | 103 | 30+ years | $5,125 | Permanent | Lowest cost, longest wait |
| Contributory Parent | 143 | 2-4 years | $50,000 | Permanent | Faster processing, higher cost |
| Contributory Parent Temporary | 173 | 2-4 years | $30,000 | 2 years | Can lead to a permanent visa |
| Sponsored Parent Temporary | 870 | 6-12 months | $5,000 | 3-5 years | Temporary option only |
| Aged Parent | 804/864 | Varies | $5,125-$50,000 | Permanent | For parents 67+ years old |
Eligibility Requirements
Basic Criteria
- Age requirements:
- No minimum age for regular parent visas
- Must be 67+ years for aged parent visas (subclass 804/864)
- Health requirements become stricter for older applicants
- Nationality Requirements:
- Can be from any country
- Must be outside Australia when applying (some exceptions apply)
- Need a valid passport from their home country
- Health and Character Requirements:
- Pass medical examinations
- Provide police clearance certificates
- Meet Australia’s health and character standards
- No serious criminal history
Specific Requirements
- Balance of Family Test: This is the most important requirement. Your parents must pass the Balance of Family Test, which means:
- At least half of their children must live permanently in Australia
- If they have 2 children, at least 1 must be in Australia
- If they have 4 children, at least 2 must be in Australia
- Children who are Australian citizens or New Zealand citizens count
- Financial Requirements:
- Non-contributory parent visa (103) lower fees around $5,125
- Contributory parent visas much higher costs up to $50,000
- Assurance of Support $14,000 bond held for 10 years for contributory visas
- The sponsor must demonstrate their ability to financially support the parents.
- Sponsor Requirements:
- Must be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident
- Must have lived in Australia for at least 2 years
- Can sponsor both parents with one application
- Need to provide Assurance of Support for contributory visas
Application Process
Step-by-Step Overview
1
Preparation Phase
Start by gathering all required documents. This takes the longest time, so begin early. Check that your parents meet the Balance of Family Test and decide which visa subclass suits your family best.
2
Online Application
Submit your application through ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Create an account if you don’t have one. Pay the first application fee when submitting.
3
Biometrics
Your parents will need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at an Australian visa centre in their country. Book this appointment after submitting the application.
4
Medical Examinations
Complete health checks with approved doctors. The department will tell you which tests are needed. This usually includes chest X-rays and general health checks.
5
Assessment
Wait for the department to process your application. They may ask for more documents during this time. Processing times vary greatly between visa types.
6
Decision
Receive the final decision. If approved, your parents can plan their move to Australia. If refused, you may be able to appeal or reapply.
Key Tips
Best Time to Apply
- Apply as early as possible due to long waiting times
- Consider a temporary parent visa (subclass 870) while waiting for permanent visas
- Start gathering documents 6 months before applying
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Not meeting the Balance of Family Test requirements
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Using expired documents
- Not declaring all family members correctly
Required Documents
Essential Documents:
- Identity Documents:
- Current passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Birth certificates for parents and all children
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce papers (if applicable)
- Family Evidence:
- Birth certificates proving the parent-child relationship
- Evidence of children living in Australia
- Proof of Australian citizenship or New Zealand citizenship for the sponsor
- Family composition documents
- Financial Documents:
- Bank statements
- Income evidence
- Assurance of Support documents (for contributory visas)
- Sponsor’s financial capacity evidence
Additional Documents (Visa-Specific):
- For Parent Visa Subclass 103:
- Statutory declaration about family composition
- Evidence of the sponsor’s settlement in Australia
- Proof of an ongoing parent-child relationship
- For Contributory Parent Visas:
- Assurance of Support application
- Higher-level financial evidence
- Additional health insurance requirements
- For Sponsored Parent Temporary (Subclass 870):
- Adequate health insurance policy
- Sponsor approval from Home Affairs
- Temporary stay intentions evidence
Processing Time & Costs
Application Fee Structure
Parent Visa (103)
AUD $5,125
Contributory Parent (143)
AUD $47,000-$50,000
Sponsored Parent Temporary (870)
Around AUD $5,000
Aged Parent Visas
$5,125-$50,000 depending on type
Processing Times:
Non-contributory (103)
30+ years due to high demand
Contributory visas
2-4 years (now extending to 12+ years)
Temporary parent visa (870)
6-12 months
Current backlog
Over 151,000 applications waiting
Additional Costs:
Health examinations
$300-$500 per person
Police clearances
$50-$200 per country
Document translations
$40-$80 per page
Biometrics fee
$85 per person
key Tips for fast processing:
- Choose contributory visas for faster processing
- Submit complete applications with all documents
- Respond quickly to any department requests
- Consider temporary visas while waiting for permanent ones
Conclusion
The original visa system in Australia provides a route to reunite families, although it requires patience and a detailed financial plan. With more than 8,500 overall visas assigned in 2024-2025, which includes 6,800 contributory visas and 1,700 non-contributory visas, which exceeds the demand and supply. The key to success is to understand that the visa is in line with family status and budget.
Start by evaluating the qualification and collecting documents quickly. Consider talking to a registered migration agent who can guide you through a complex application process and help avoid expensive errors
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-contributing parent visa (subclass 103) is currently taking 30+ years, while the contributing parents take 2-4 years, but extend up to 12+ years due to high demand.
Yes, you can include both parents in a single parental visa application, which saves time and some costs compared to separate applications.
You may be able to appeal the decision or use further evidence. A migration agent can help to review the reasons and advise on the next stages.
Permanent parental visa allows full labour rights, while a temporary parental visa (subcutaneous 870) is prohibited for work and study activities.
Common original visas have no age limit, but older overall visas (subclass 804/864) should be 67 years or older and may have different treatment preferences.
