Overview
Parent visas allow Australian permanent residents or citizens to sponsor parents to migrate to Australia.
Parent visas are open to those parents who pass the balance of the family test. This requires parents to have at least half of their children settled in Australia. This means you can sponsor your parents if you are living in Australia and you have one sibling overseas but if there are two siblings overseas, you cannot sponsor your parents.
Parents are always welcome to apply for a Visitor visa to come to Australia to visit.
To be a formal sponsor you need to be living in Australia for a period of two 2 years before you can sponsor your parents to apply for the visa. You must also give a written undertaking to provide support, accommodation, and financial assistance to your parents during their first 2 years in Australia.
There are a number of different Parent visas. Parent visas are divided by age, with different visas for parents who are over 67 years old, by place being whether your parents are already in Australia or overseas, and whether your parents can contribute to the cost of medical expenses when the visa is granted. Parent Visa can also be provisional, being visas that transition to permanent residence, or permanent.
Visa processing times
Visa processing times for non-contributory visas are excessive and in the order of 30 years. The reason for this is the Australian Government grants very few Parent visas each year, and there is now an large number of people waiting in the queue for the available visas.
Contributory parent visas
In 2003 the Australian Government created the Contributory Parent visa under which visa applicants, or their sponsors, can make a lump sum payment of around AUD $43,000 per parent to the Australian Government just before the visa is granted. This payment covers likely on-going medical expenses in Australia.
However, the waiting time for the Contributory Parent visas is now around 6 years.
Apply for a visa from within Australia
If your parents are over 67 years old and retired and are in Australia on a Visitor visa, they can apply for an Aged Parent or an Aged Contributory Parent visa. On applying for the visa, your parents will be granted a bridging visa that will allow them to continue living in Australia until the visa is processed.
To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not include other costs you might also have to pay such as those for police certificates, health checks, biometrics and professional fees to get assistance with the visa application process from an migration lawyer/agent.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) - Offshore
This is the temporary version of the Contributory Parent visa that you apply for from outside Australia. It allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia for two years. At the end of this period, you can transition to a permanent Subclass 143 visa.
The current waiting time for this visa is between 5 and 6 years.
Applying for this visa allows you to divide the full cost of applying for a Contributory Parent visa into two parts.
With this visa you can
- live in Australia for up to 2 years;
- work and study in Australia (you will not receive government support);
- enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare;
- apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143).
Apply for a Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) visa
This visa allows you to spread the cost of applying for a permanent Parent visa over a number of years by applying in 2 steps:
- first, apply for the temporary Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 173) visa; then
- apply for the permanent Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) visa.
To be eligible to apply for this visa you must:
- be sponsored by an eligible child;
- meet the balance-of-family test;
- meet the health requirement;
- meet the character requirement;
- not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused;
- be outside Australia at the time of the decision.
Contributory Parent visas are currently taking around 5.5 years to process. These time frames are subject to change.
You pay for this visa in 2 instalments. The first instalment is paid when you apply for the visa and the second instalment at the end of the processing period.
In no case will the second instalment be paid and a visa not granted.
First instalment – initial application fee:
- Main applicant = AUD$ 4,155
- Secondary applicant (spouse) = AUD$2,075
Second instalment for each applicant = AUD$ 29,130.
Contributory Parent (Permanent)Visa (Subclass 143)
This is the permanent version of the Contributory Parent visa. It allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to Australia permanently. You can apply for this visa from inside our outside Australia.
The current waiting time for this visa is between 5 and 6 years.
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia indefinitely;
- work and study in Australia;
- enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare;
- sponsor your family members to come to Australia;
- travel to and enter Australia for 5 years;
- apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.
- You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date of the visa grant. This is as long as the travel facility on this visa remains valid.
If you hold a Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 173) visa
You can apply for the Subclass 143 visa as a two-step process by first applying for a Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 173) visa. Applying for the Subclass 173 visa and then the subclass 143 visa allows you to spread the cost of the visas over a number of years.
To be eligible to apply for this visa you must:
- be sponsored by an eligible child;
- meet the balance-of-family test;
- gain an assurance of support from either the sponsor or any other person;
- meet the health requirement;
- meet the character requirement;
- not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused;
- be outside Australia at the time of the decision.
Processing times are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances or government policy.
This visa takes approximately 5 to 6 years to process and is a permanent visa from the date of the approval.
This visa costs in total AUD $47,825.
You pay for this visa in 2 instalments. The first instalment is paid when you apply for the visa and the second instalment at the end of the processing period after you have passed the health and character tests.
In most cases the second payment is made 5 – 6 years after the first payment. In no case will the second instalment be paid and a visa not granted.
First instalment – initial application fee:
- Main applicant = AUD$ 4,155
- Secondary applicant (spouse) = AUD$2,075
Second instalment for each applicant = AUD$ 43,600
If you are a Subclass 173 visa holder then the second instalment for each applicant for the Subclass 143 is $19,420.
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884) - Onshore
This is the temporary version of the Contributory Aged Parent visa for people who in Australia and over 67 years old. It allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay temporarily in Australia for two years. At the end of this period, you can transition to a permanent Subclass 864 visa.
The current waiting time for this visa is between 5 and 6 years.
If you apply for this visa while in Australia with a Visitor visa, you will be granted a bridging visa that will allow you to keep living in Australia until the visa is decided.
With this visa you can
- live in Australia for up to 2 years;
- work and study in Australia (you will not receive government support);
- apply for a permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (Subclass 864).
Apply for a Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 864) visa
You can apply for the permanent subclass 864 visa as a two-step process by first applying for a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Subclass 884 visa. Applying for the Subclass 884 visa and then the Subclass 864 visa allows you to spread the cost of the visas over a number of years.
If you are in Australia as the holder of a valid visa and you make an application for a Contributory parent visa (subclass 884), you can be granted a Bridging Visa “A” (BVA). The BVA enables you to remain lawfully in Australia while your visa application is being processed.
To be eligible to apply for this visa you must:
- be sponsored by an eligible child;
- be old enough to qualify for the age pension in Australia (current pension age: 67 years);
- not have a no further stay condition;
- meet the balance-of-family test;
- meet the health requirement;
- meet the character requirement;
- not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused;
- be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for this visa and at the time of the decision.
Processing times are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances or government policy.
This visa takes approximately 5 to 6 years to process.
This visa costs from AUD $ 33,285.
You pay for this visa in 2 instalments.
The first instalment is paid when you apply for the visa and the second instalment is paid just before the visa is approved. In no case will a second instalment be paid and a visa not granted.
First instalment – initial application fee:
- Main applicant = AUD$ 4,155
- Secondary applicant (spouse) = AUD$2,075
Second instalment for each applicant = AUD$ 29,130.
Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 864) - Onshore
This is the permanent version of the Contributory Aged Parent visa. It allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to Australia permanently. You must be over 67 years old and be in Australia when you apply.
The current waiting time for this visa is between 5 and 6 years.
On applying for the visa, you will be granted a bridging visa that will allow you to keep living in Australia until the visa is decided.
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia indefinitely;
- work and study in Australia;
- enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare;
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia;
- apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date of the visa grant.
If you hold a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 884) visa
You can apply for the Subclass 864 visa as a two-step process by first applying for a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 884) visa. Applying for the Subclass 884 visa and then the Subclass 864 visa allows you to spread the cost of the visas over a number of years.
If you are in Australia as the holder of a valid visa and you make an application for a Contributory parent visa (Subclass 864), you will be granted a Bridging Visa “A” (BVA). The BVA enables you to remain lawfully in Australia while your visa application is being processed.
To be eligible to apply for this visa you must:
- be sponsored by an eligible child;
- be old enough to qualify for the age pension in Australia (current pension age: 67 years);
- not have a no further stay condition;
- meet the balance-of-family test;
- gain an assurance of support from either the sponsor or any other person;
- meet the health requirement;
- meet the character requirement;
- not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused;
- be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for this visa and at the time of the decision.
Processing times are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances or government policy.
This visa takes approximately 5 to 6 years to process.
This visa costs from AUD $47,755.
You pay for this visa in 2 instalments. The first instalment is paid when you apply for the visa and the second instalment is paid just before the visa is approved. In no case will a second instalment be paid and a visa not granted.
First instalment – initial application fee:
- Main applicant = AUD$ 4,155
- Secondary applicant (spouse) = AUD$2,075
Second instalment for each applicant = AUD$ 43,600
If you are a Subclass 884 visa holder then the second instalment for each applicant to apply for this permanent visa Subclass 864 is $19,420 instead.
Aged Parent Visa (Permanent) (Subclass 804)
This is the permanent Aged Parent visa. It allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to Australia permanently. You must be over 67 years old and be in Australia when you apply.
The current waiting time for this visa is around 30 years.
On applying for the visa, you will be granted a bridging visa that will allow you to keep living in Australia until the visa is decided.
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia indefinitely;
- work and study in Australia;
- enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare;
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia;
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
To be eligible to apply for this visa you must:
- be sponsored by an eligible child;
- be old enough to qualify for the age pension in Australia (current pension age: 67 years);
- meet the balance-of-family test;
- gain an assurance of support from either the sponsor or any other person;
- meet the health requirement;
- meet the character requirement;
- not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused;
- be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for this visa and at the time of the decision.
The processing time for this visa is excessive and are currently running at 30 years.
You would realistically only apply for this visa as a strategy to access the bridging visa that would then allow you to live in Australia while awaiting visa processing.
This visa costs from AUD6,415. There is also an additional charge for each family member who applies with you.
It is significantly less expensive than the Contributory Parent visas.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
This temporary visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years.
With this visa you can
- reunite with children
- re-apply for further Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas to visit up to a maximum period of 10 years in Australia
You cannot work in Australia while you hold this visa.
Please note that this visa does not lead to permanent residence. You cannot apply for a permanent parent visa when you have this visa.
Sponsorship
You must have an approved Parent Sponsor to apply for this visa.
Your sponsor’s household is limited to one sponsorship at a time.
Your sponsor’s sponsorship can cover up to 2 parents per household at a time.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa applicants must:
- be sponsored by a person who is an approved parent sponsor
- not have engaged in payment for visas conduct
- provide evidence of access to funds
- provide evidence of health insurance
- not have an outstanding public health debt
- meet the health requirement
- meet the character requirement
- have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily
Processing times are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances or government policy.
The latest processing times published by the Department of Home Affairs are as follows:
- 75% of applications: 4 months
- 90% of applications: 5 months
This visa costs from:
- AUD5,000 for a visa of up to 3 years; or
- AUD10,000 for a visa of up to 5 years.
You pay for this visa in 2 parts called instalments.
Pay the first instalment when you apply. Pay the second instalment when required.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
This permanent visa lets a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen move to Australia.
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia indefinitely
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date of the visa grant. This is as long as the travel facility on this visa remains valid.
If you want to travel after the initial 5-year travel facility:
- you will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) so that you can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
- you might also want to consider Australian citizenship.
To be eligible to apply for this visa you must:
- be sponsored by an eligible child
- meet the balance-of-family test
- have assurance of support from either the sponsor or any other person
- meet the health requirement
- meet the character requirement
- not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
- not have an outstanding public health debt
- be outside Australia at the time of the visa decision
- not have a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa
The processing time for this visa is unavailable. Applications are subject to capping and queueing.
This visa costs from AUD6,415. There is also an additional charge for each family member who applies with you.
You pay for this visa in 2 parts, called instalments.
1st instalment – initial application fee:
- Main applicant = AUD$ 4,350
- Secondary applicant (spouse) = AUD$2,175
Pay the first instalment when you apply. Pay the second instalment when required.
Parent Visa Document Checklist
When applying for a Parent Visa in Australia, it's crucial to gather all necessary documents to ensure your application is complete and accurate. Below is a checklist to help you prepare for your Parent Visa application:
1. Identification Documents
- Passport: Certified copy of your current passport, including the photo page and any pages with visas or stamps.
- Birth Certificate: Certified copy of your birth certificate showing your name and both parents' names.
- National ID Card: Certified copy of your national identity card, if applicable.
- Marriage Certificate: If applicable, provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
2. Relationship Proof
- Child’s Birth Certificate: Certified copy showing your name as the parent.
- Evidence of Child’s Status in Australia:
- Certified copy of your child’s Australian citizenship certificate, passport, or permanent residency visa.
- Certified copy of your child’s birth certificate or other evidence showing they are your child.
- Adoption Papers: If the child was adopted, provide certified copies of the adoption papers.
- Evidence of Child's Residence: Proof that your child has been living in Australia for at least 2 years before the application (e.g., utility bills, lease agreements).
3. Health and Character Documents
- Health Examinations: You will need to undergo health examinations as part of the visa process. You will be given instructions on how to complete these after lodging your application.
- Police Clearance Certificates:
- Obtain police certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
- Include certified translations if the documents are not in English.
4. Financial Documents
- Contributory Parent Visa: If applying for a Contributory Parent Visa, evidence of payment ability for the significant financial contribution is required. This may include:
- Bank statements
- Property valuations
- Evidence of income or pension
- Assurance of Support (AoS):
- Your child or sponsor must provide an AoS. This includes financial documents showing their ability to support you (e.g., bank statements, tax returns, employment contracts).
5. Supporting Documents for Aged Parent Visa
- Proof of Age: Certified copy of a document showing you are of age pension age (e.g., passport, birth certificate).
- Superannuation or Pension Statements: If you receive a pension, provide statements or letters from your pension provider.
6. Additional Documents for Sponsors
- Form 47PA: Completed and signed application form for the Parent Visa.
- Form 40: Completed and signed sponsorship form by your child or sponsor.
- Sponsor’s Evidence of Identity: Certified copy of your sponsor’s Australian passport, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident visa.
- Sponsor’s Proof of Relationship: If your sponsor is not your child, provide evidence of their relationship to you and your child.
7. Documents for Dependents (if applicable)
- Dependent Children’s Identification: Certified copies of passports, birth certificates, and any other relevant identification documents.
- Proof of Dependency: Evidence that dependent children are financially reliant on you, such as school enrollment letters, bank statements, or evidence of disability.
8. Evidence of Payment
- Visa Application Charge Receipt: Proof of payment of the visa application charge.
9. Translations
- Certified Translations: All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
10. Other Documents
- Affidavits or Statutory Declarations: If applicable, affidavits or statutory declarations supporting your application or explaining any discrepancies.
- Previous Visa Documents: If you have held any previous Australian visas, include copies of these visa grant letters or stamps.
Important Tips:
- Ensure all documents are certified copies. Certification must be done by an authorized person, such as a notary public.
- Keep a copy of your entire application for your records.
- Submit all required documents in the format specified by the Department of Home Affairs, either electronically or in hard copy, as instructed.