PARENT VISA
Bringing parents to Australia is one of the most meaningful steps in any migration journey. Whether families want a short visit, a long stay, or a pathway to permanent residency, Australia offers several parent visa options and each with different costs, processing time, and eligibility requirements.
There are seven Parent Visa types, so families can choose the pathway that best fits your needs.
1. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 870
2. Parent Visa (Permanent) – Subclass 103
3. Aged Parent Visa (Permanent) – Subclass 804
4. Contributory Parent (Temporary) – Subclass 173
5. Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent) – Subclass 143
6. Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) – Subclass 884
7. Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) – Subclass 864.
PARENT VISA (TEMPORARY) - SUBCLASS 870
Purpose:
Parent visa – Subclass 870 was created to help families reunite quickly and flexibly, without waiting years for permanent visas. It allows parents to stay in Australia from 3-5 years per period and total of 10 years without becoming permanent residents.
Prerequisite:
For the Sponsor:
- Must be an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Must have a minimum household income (threshold updated annually)
- Must be approved as a Parent Sponsor
- Must have no outstanding public health debts
For the Parent:
- Must be the biological, adoptive, or step‑parent of the sponsor
- Must be outside Australia when applying (unless exempt)
- Must meet health and character requirements
- No Balance of Family Test required
- Cannot work in Australia.
PARENT VISA (PERMANENT) - SUBCLASS 103
Purpose:
Parent visa – Subclass 103 is the most affordable permanent parent visa, designed for families who want parents to migrate permanently but are prepared for long processing time.
Prerequisite:
- Must meet the Balance of Family Test
- Must have an eligible child sponsor
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Must be outside Australia at the time of grant
- Long queue, often 10+ years.
AGED PARENT VISA (PERMANENT) - SUBCLASS 804
Purpose:
Parent visa – Subclass 804 is designed for elderly parents already in Australia who meet the age requirement. It allows them to remain in Australia on a bridging visa while waiting for permanent residency.
Prerequisite:
- Must be old enough (67+ years old) to receive the Australian Age Pension
- Must meet the Balance of Family Test
- Must be onshore when applying
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Very long processing times (often 10+ years)
- Eligible for a bridging visa that allows them to stay in Australia during processing.
CONTRIBUTORY PARENT (TEMPORARY) - SUBCLASS 173
Purpose:
With parent visa – Subclass 173, you can proceed faster permanent residency pathway for parents willing to pay a higher government fee (the “contributory” charge) in compared to other parent visas.
This visa acts as a transition pathway that lets parents begin settling in Australia sooner while preparing for permanent residency. It allows families to reunite earlier, gives parents time to adjust to Australian life, and provides a lawful onshore stay while they organise finances and documents for parent visa – subclass 143 (permanent visa).
Prerequisite:
- Must meet the Balance of Family Test
- Must have an eligible child sponsor
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Must apply for parent visa – subclass 143 before subclass 173 visa expires.
CONTRIBUTORY PARENT (PERMANENT) - SUBCLASS 143
Purpose:
Parent visa – subclass 143 is the second stage of parent visa processing to become Australian permanent residents by paying a higher government fee (the “contributory” charge).
Prerequisite:
- Must meet the Balance of Family Test
- Must have an eligible child sponsor
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Higher visa charges for faster processing
- Can apply directly or after holding 173 visa (temporary visa).
CONTRIBUTORY AGED PARENT (TEMPORARY) - SUBCLASS 884
Purpose:
Parent visa -subclass 884 visa allows aged parents to split the cost of the 864 visa over two stages, similar to parent visa subclass 173 & 143.
Prerequisite:
- Must meet the Age Pension age
- Must meet the Balance of Family Test
- Must be onshore when applying
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Must apply for parent visa – subclass 864 visa before the 884 visa expires.
CONTRIBUTORY AGED PARENT (PERMANENT) - SUBCLASS 864
Purpose:
Parent visa – subclass 864 visa is the second stage of onshore, faster, contributory subclass 884 visa. It offers permanent residency for aged parents who can afford higher fees.
Prerequisite:
- Must meet the Australian Age Pension age
- Must meet the Balance of Family Test
- Must be in Australia at the time of application and grant
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Higher visa charges for faster processing.
EXPLORE VISA TYPES
