If you’re living your Australian dream but your parents are thousands of miles away, you’re not alone. Every year, countless families search for real, practical ways to bring their loved ones closer, and that’s where the parent visa Australia pathway becomes so important.
With new expectations around parent migration to Australia in 2026, many families are asking the same questions:
- Which visa is right for my parents?
- How long will it take?
- What will it cost?
- And is there a clear pathway to PR for parents in Australia in 2026?
If you have all these questions and are looking for answers, along with this complete step-by-step guide on how to apply for a parent visa in Australia, then this blog is all you need.
Let’s keep reading as we are breaking everything down in a simple way, so you know exactly what options exist to have a stable life with your loved ones right here.
Key Highlights
- The 2025–26 parent visa allocation is 6,800 contributory places, 1,700 non-contributory places, and 500 other family places.
- The parent visa cost table shows fees for subclass 143 at around AUD 50,000+, subclass 103 and 804 at lower fees with long waits, subclass 870 at AUD 5,035 or AUD 10,180, and the AoS bond at AUD 10,000 per parent.
- The step-by-step process explains choosing the right visa, meeting eligibility, lodging sponsorship, preparing documents, submitting through ImmiAccount, completing health and character checks, and planning temporary options like the 870 visa while waiting.
2025–26 Parent Visa Caps Breakdown (Official Allocations)
The Australian Government allocates a limited number of parent visas every migration year. For 2025–26, here’s the breakdown that directly affects your family’s wait time and strategy.
Visa Stream | Subclasses | 2025–26 Allocation | What This Means |
Contributory Parent | 143, 864, 173, 884 | 6,800 places | Most preferred; higher fees but fastest PR pathway |
Non-Contributory Parent | 103, 804 | 1,700 places | Longest queues (up to 25–30 years) |
Other Family | Carer + Remaining Family | 500 places | Extremely limited supply |
These caps directly affect how long your parents may wait, especially for the contributory parent visa Australia and non-contributory parent visa Australia categories.
Parent Visa Queue Update for 2026 (Fresh from Home Affairs)
Visa queues move slowly, and staying updated helps you plan smarter, especially if you're preparing to apply for a parent visa in Australia this year.
Latest Queue Dates (As of 2026)
✔ Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa – Assessing late 2018 applications
✔ Subclass 173 Temporary Contributory – Also around 2018
✔ Subclass 103 Parent Visa – Working on 2012–2013 files
✔ Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa – Very slow movement
✔ Subclass 870 Temporary Parent Visa – Fastest option, no queue backlog
Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
The Parent Visa Backlog: What’s Actually Happening in 2026
This is the reality most families don’t see at first glance, and it’s a crucial part of planning.
FOI data and industry migration insight suggest:
- Parent visa queues exceed 100,000+ applications nationwide.
- Contributory Parent Visa waits are now estimated at 12–15+ years.
- Non-contributory visas like subclass 103 may take 25–30 years.
- The 2024–25 parent visa grant cap filled early, slowing down new grants.
Understanding Your Parent Visa Options in Australia
Here’s a simple breakdown of each pathway with benefits, limitations, & beyond.
Decide which parent visa fits your goals
Start by choosing the right pathway for your family.
It’s for.
1. Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
This is the most popular permanent parent visa Australia offers.
Why families choose it:
- Offers permanent residency
- Faster than non-contributory options
- Leads to Medicare, long-term security, and a clear PR pathway
Best for: Families wanting a permanent solution with manageable (but higher) costs.
2. Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
The parent visa Australia 870 is an excellent temporary pathway when PR wait times are too long.
Benefits:
- Stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years without leaving
- Extend stay up to 10 years total
- No Balance of Family test
- Quick processing compared to PR visas
Perfect for: Parents who want extended stays while PR decisions or queue movements continue.
Read More: How to Get an Australian PR after 45 Years Old?
3. Aged Parent Visa Australia (Subclass 804)
For parents over the Age Pension age applying onshore.
Why it’s useful:
- Allows parents to remain in Australia while waiting
- Work rights may apply depending on the bridging visa
- Lower fees
But:
- The queue is extremely long
- Must meet age + onshore requirements
4. Non-Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The slowest pathway, but the lowest cost.
Good for: Families who do not need immediate PR or are planning far into the future.
To get more information on which visa type to choose, you can consult with an expert migration agent in Adelaide.
Check eligibility and the Balance of Family Test
Most parent visas require the sponsor’s child to be a settled Australian (citizen / PR / eligible NZ citizen) and for the parent to meet eligibility rules.
Many parent visas require passing the Balance of Family Test (i.e., more children living in Australia than any other single country), check the exact test for your chosen subclass.
Also, check the parent visa eligibility Australia criteria, such as relationship evidence, health, and character requirements.
Tip: If the parent is over pension age and applying onshore, the aged parent visa Australia (subclass 804) rules apply.
Sponsor: lodge a sponsorship (where required)
If you’re sponsoring a parent visa in Australia, the sponsoring child (Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen) usually must lodge and have an approved sponsor before the visa is granted.
Follow the sponsor application rules carefully.You can either check out the Immigration and Citizenship Website or connect with our professionals at Visafast Migration Consultancy.
Read More: Sponsorship Visa for Aged Care Workers in Australia
Prepare Assurance of Support (AoS) if required
Many contributory parent visa Australia applications require an Assurance of Support (AoS), a formal undertaking (and sometimes a refundable bond) lodged through Services Australia to show the parent won’t rely on certain social security payments.
The AoS must be lodged and accepted through Services Australia when required. So, make sure to plan for the AoS cost (bond depends on circumstances).
Note: AoS procedures vary by visa subclass; check whether your chosen visa needs AoS.
Gather documents, be complete and organised
Collect the documents you’ll need to apply for a parent visa in Australia:
- Parents’ passports and identity documents
- Birth certificate/evidence of relationship to sponsoring child
- Sponsor’s proof of citizenship/PR/eligible NZ status
- Evidence for Balance of Family Test (children’s addresses)
- Police certificates (character) for the parent (and any included family members)
- Health checks (medical assessments), do not leave these to the last minute
- Financial evidence (if required), and AoS documents if applicable
Pro tip: A complete application helps avoid delays in the long parent visa queues.
Choose how to apply and create/check ImmiAccount
Most family visa applications (including Sponsored Parent (Temporary) 870) are lodged online through ImmiAccount. For permanent parent visas, instructions vary (online or paper options may apply depending on subclass and individual circumstances).
Keep your ImmiAccount active and check it regularly for requests for more information.
Lodge the sponsor application (if required) and then the visa application
Follow the order required for your visa: often, the sponsor lodges an application (or form) first and waits for approval or confirmation, then the parent lodges their visa application.
For subclass 870, the sponsor must be approved before the parent lodges. For some contributory or non-contributory parent visas, the process allows lodging the visa application while the sponsor's details are submitted as part of the application.
Checklist while lodging: correct subclass, complete forms, certified documents, and correct fees paid (see next step).
Pay the correct fees and understand the parent visa Australia cost
Pay the visa application charges at lodgement.
Parent Visa Cost Breakdown for 2026
Visa Type | Approx. Government Fees (2026) | Extra Costs | Notes |
Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa | AUD 50,000+ per parent (1st + 2nd instalment) | AoS bond AUD 10,000 per person | Fastest PR option |
Subclass 173 → 143 (Two-step Pathway) | Split over two visas | AoS bond required when applying for 143 | Flexible payment plan |
Subclass 103 Parent Visa | ~$4,990 | No contributory fee | Queue up to 30 years |
Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa | ~$4,990 | Medicals + police checks | Must be onshore & meet age requirements |
Subclass 870 Temporary Parent Visa | 3-year: AUD 5,035 | ||
5-year: AUD 10,180 | Health insurance | No PR pathway, but excellent for long stays | |
Assurance of Support (AoS) | AUD 10,000 per parent | Held by Centrelink | Required for contributory visas |
Important: Visa fees change; always confirm the live fee on the Home Affairs page when you lodge.
Read More: How to Apply for a Remaining Relative Visa in Australia?
Complete health checks, biometrics, and police checks
After lodgement, you may receive requests to complete medical examinations, provide biometrics, and obtain police certificates. Respond promptly; these are mandatory parent visa Australia requirements that affect progress and final grant.
Tip: Book medicals early in the process because the panel clinics can have waiting lists.
Respond quickly to Home Affairs requests & track the queue
Home Affairs may request further information via ImmiAccount. Provide accurate answers quickly.
Note that parent visas are capped and queued; the visa may be subject to the parent visa cap and long processing queues, so even a complete application can take years in some streams.
Use the Home Affairs parent visa queue pages to track which year they are currently processing.
To Wrap!
We’ve covered everything you need to know about the different parent visa Australia options, how the 2026 caps affect processing, what the real queues look like, and how each pathway fits into long-term parent migration Australia planning.
At this point, you have all the key details to make an informed decision and move forward with confidence. And if you’re feeling unsure about which direction is right for your family or when to begin the process, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
If you need help understanding your options or want guidance on how to apply for a parent visa in Australia, connect with us today. We are Visafast Migration Consultancy, a MARA agent in Australia, and walk you through the requirements, timelines, and next steps so you can sponsor your parents with clarity and peace of mind.
Connect with our experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What is the difference between the 870 Parent Visa and the 143 Visa?
The 870 Parent Visa is a temporary visa that allows parents to stay in Australia for 3–5 years but does not lead to PR. The 143 Contributory Parent Visa is a permanent parent visa Australia option that offers long-term residency and a pathway to citizenship.
Can parents get PR in Australia?
Yes, parents can get PR for parents in Australia through visas like the subclass 143, subclass 103, or the aged parent visa Australia (804), if they meet eligibility rules and pass the Balance of Family Test.
Is the Australia Aged Parent Visa easier to get?
The Aged Parent Visa (804) has lower costs and allows onshore applications, but the wait time is extremely long. It’s easier in terms of eligibility for older parents, but not faster than contributory visas.
Who can sponsor a parent for an Australian visa?
A sponsor parent visa Australia must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia and meets income and character requirements.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and policies may change over time, so we strongly recommend consulting a registered migration agent or legal professional before making any visa application.
