Australian Parent Visa Options
Australian Parent Visas provide pathways for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia. These visas vary in terms of cost, processing time, and eligibility criteria, offering both temporary and permanent options.
Contributory Parent Visa Options
| Visa Subclass | Type | Cost (AUD) | Processing Time | Eligibility | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 143 | Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent) | From AUD 48,495 | Around 10 years | Balance-of-family test; sponsored by eligible child. | Permanent residency. |
| Subclass 173 | Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary) | From AUD 32,430 | Around 10 years | Balance-of-family test; transition to Subclass 143 allowed. | Lower initial cost; pathway to permanent visa. |
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Contributory Aged Parent Visa Options
| Visa Subclass | Type | Cost (AUD)** | Processing Time | Eligibility | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 864 | Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Permanent) | From AUD 48,495 | Around 10 years | Balance-of-family test; must be in Australia; aged parent requirements. | Permanent residency |
| Subclass 884 | Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Temporary) | From AUD 32,430 | Around 10 years | Balance-of-family test; must be in Australia; aged parent requirements. | Lower initial cost; pathway to permanent visa |
Two-Step Parent Visa Pathways (Onshore and Offshore)
| Visa Subclass | Type | Cost (AUD)** | Processing Time | Eligibility | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 864 | Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Permanent) | From AUD 48,495 | Around 10 years | Balance-of-family test; must be in Australia; aged parent requirements. | Permanent residency |
| Subclass 884 | Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Temporary) | From AUD 32,430 | Around 10 years | Balance-of-family test; must be in Australia; aged parent requirements. | Lower initial cost; pathway to permanent visa |
Two-Step Parent Visa Pathways (Onshore and Offshore)
| Visa Subclass | Type | Cost (AUD) | Processing Time | Eligibility | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 103 | Parent Visa (Permanent) | From AUD 5,125 | Up to 30 years | Balance-of-family test; sponsored by Australian child; meets health and character requirements. | Permanent residency; low cost but significantly long processing time; access to Medicare. |
| Subclass 870 | Sponsored Parent Visa (Temporary) | From AUD 5,895 (3 years); AUD 11,785 (5 years) | 6–12 months | Sponsored by Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen; no balance-of-family test required. | Temporary stay for up to 3 or 5 years; no pathway to permanent residency; renewable up to 10 years. |
Key Points
Balance-of-Family Test
A critical requirement for most parent visas, ensuring at least half of the applicant’s children reside permanently in Australia.
Onshore vs Offshore
Onshore options (884/864) allow aged parents to remain in Australia during processing with Bridging Visas, while offshore options (173/143) require the applicant to be outside Australia for lodgment and visa grant.
Two-Step Process
Both pathways allow splitting costs over two stages, making it more financially manageable.
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FAQs
Which Parent Visa is Right for Me?
Choosing the right visa depends on your parents’ age, whether they want permanent or temporary residency, and how quickly they need to move to Australia. The main types include:
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173, 864/884): Higher fees, but generally shorter processing times (around 10 years).
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103, 804): Lower fees, but very long waiting periods (up to 30 years).
- Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870): Temporary stay for up to 3 or 5 years, with fewer requirements but no direct pathway to permanent residence. Processing can be a few months.
Example Scenario:
Alice wants her 70-year-old mother to move permanently to Australia as soon as possible. She looks into a Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) because even though the cost is higher, the wait time (about 10 years) is still much shorter than the 30-year queue for a non-contributory visa.
What Are the Costs of These Parent Visas?
Costs vary significantly depending on the visa type:
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173, 864/884): Approx. AUD 50,000 (paid in stages for temporary-to-permanent pathways).
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103, 804): Approx. AUD 5,000, but with very long wait times.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870): Around AUD 6,000 for a 3-year visa and AUD 11,000 for a 5-year visa.
Example Scenario:
John’s parents are relatively young and are not in a rush to move. They choose the Subclass 103 (Parent Visa), paying lower fees of around AUD 5,000, knowing they might have to wait up to 30 years.
How Long Does It Take to Process Each Visa?
Processing times are one of the biggest factors in choosing a parent visa:
- Contributory Parent Visas (143, 864): Around 10 years.
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (103, 804): Up to 30 years.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (870): Usually a few months.
Example Scenario:
Amelia’s father wants to visit and stay in Australia within a year. Amelia opts for the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa because it can be granted in a few months.
What Is the Balance-of-Family Test?
The Balance-of-Family (BoF) test requires that at least half of the applicant’s children are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, or that more children live in Australia than any other single country.
- Contributory Parent and Non-Contributory Parent Visas: Must satisfy the BoF test.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870): No BoF test required.
Example Scenario:
David has three children: two live in Australia, one lives in Canada. He meets the BoF test because two out of three children are in Australia, so he can apply for a Contributory Parent Visa.
What is an Assurance of Support and Who Can Provide It?
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial commitment designed to ensure that certain visa applicants (and their family members) do not become a burden on Australia’s social security system. If the assuree accesses select welfare benefits, the assurer is liable to repay these costs to the government.
- Who can be an assurer?
- Typically, a family member living in Australia, but anyone meeting the required income threshold can be an assurer.
- Organizations (companies or unincorporated bodies) can also act as assurers.
- Joint Assurers (up to three people) can combine incomes to meet AoS income requirements.
Example:
If Emily sponsors her parents for a Parent Visa, she may need to provide an AoS as part of the visa application. She (and possibly her spouse) must demonstrate sufficient taxable income to meet the AoS requirements.
When is Assurance of Support Mandatory and How Does the Bond Work?
Certain visa subclasses—particularly Parent Visas, Remaining Relative Visas, and Aged Dependent Relative Visas—require a Mandatory (Bonded) Assurance of Support:
- Bond Lodgement:
- For most parent/relative visas, a bond is held for 2 years.
- For Contributory Parent Visas, the bond is held for 10 years.
- Welfare Repayments:
- If the visa holder receives specific Centrelink payments, these are deducted from the bond first.
- If the payments exceed the bond amount, the assurer must cover the difference.
Example:
When Vijay applies for a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) for his mother, the 10-year bond requirement means that if she claims certain social security benefits, Vijay’s bond is used first to cover those costs.
What Are the Income Requirements and Current Bond Amounts for AoS?
- Income Requirements:
- The assurer must provide Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for the past two financial years.
- They must show current proof of income (payslips or a letter from their employer) at or above the required threshold.
- Assets are generally not considered unless it is a Discretionary AoS and the income is just under the statutory minimum.
- Bond Amounts:
| Visa Type | Bond Amount Before 1 Apr 2019 | Bond Amount On or After 1 Apr 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Contributory Parent & Contributory Aged Parent Visas |
Primary Applicant = $10,000 Secondary Applicant = $4,000 |
Primary Applicant = $15,000 Secondary Applicant = $6,000 |
| All Other Parent and Relative Visas |
Primary Applicant = $5,000 Secondary Applicant = $2,000 |
Primary Applicant = $7,500 Secondary Applicant = $3,000 |
If Noor sponsors both of her parents under a Contributory Parent Visa, she will need to lodge a $15,000 bond per parent (or $30,000 total) if both parents are primary applicants.
Can We Apply for the Visa Onshore or Offshore?
It depends on the visa subtype:
- Onshore Visas (Subclass 804, 864, 884): You must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
- Offshore Visas (Subclass 103, 143, 173): You must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
- Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870): Apply offshore, but you can visit Australia on another visa if eligible before the decision.
Example Scenario:
Maria’s mother is already in Australia on a visitor visa. Because she’s over 65, they decide to apply onshore for the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) so she can remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa while waiting.
How Does the Two-Step Parent Visa Pathway Work?
The two-step pathway involves first applying for a temporary Contributory Parent Visa and later transitioning to a permanent Contributory Parent Visa:
- Offshore Pathway: Subclass 173 (Temporary) → Subclass 143 (Permanent).
- Onshore Pathway: Subclass 884 (Temporary) → Subclass 864 (Permanent).
This approach spreads out the cost over two stages and allows parents to remain lawfully in Australia (for onshore) or outside Australia (for offshore) during processing.
Example Scenario:
Ethan chooses the Subclass 884 → 864 pathway for his elderly parents because they prefer to stay onshore in Australia while waiting for permanent residency. They pay part of the fee for Subclass 884 first and the rest later when applying for Subclass 864.
What Are the Requirements for the 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?
Key requirements include:
- Sponsorship by an approved Australian child who is a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
- Sponsorship application must be approved before the visa application.
- Health and character requirements.
- No Balance-of-Family test is required.
Example Scenario:
Grace’s son is an Australian permanent resident. He successfully becomes an approved sponsor, allowing Grace to apply for the Subclass 870 visa to stay with him for up to 5 years.
Is There a Pathway to Permanent Residency via the 870 Visa?
No, the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency. It allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years, renewable up to a maximum of 10 years in total, but does not itself lead to permanent residence. If you want a permanent visa, you’ll need to explore other Parent Visa options (e.g., 143, 864, 103, etc.).
Example Scenario:
Henry’s parents need to help with their grandchildren in Australia. They choose the 870 Visa for a shorter stay, knowing they’ll need to investigate a separate permanent visa pathway if they decide to settle permanently.
Where Should I Start If I Want to Apply?
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you (the sponsor) and your parents (the applicants) meet the basic requirements (age, sponsorship, health, character).
- Decide on Visa Type: Balance cost, processing time, and whether you want permanent or temporary residency.
- Gather Documentation: Proof of relationship, health checks, police checks, financials for AoS, etc.
- Consider Professional Advice: A migration agent or lawyer can help you navigate complex situations, especially for older parents or tight timelines.
Example Scenario:
Priya consults a migration agent to discuss her mother’s options. After an eligibility assessment, they decide that the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is the best fit.
If I Hold a Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent) Visa, Can I Apply for a Contributory Parent Visa?
No. However, it is possible to do the reverse (i.e., have applied for a Contributory Parent Visa and then later apply for a 870 if you meet the eligibility requirements).
