Want your mum and dad to live near you in Australia? Then here is everything you need to know before applying for Australia parent visas. Therefore, go through it once, and you won’t have to stress about the small things later.
Which Visa Fits Your Parents?
There are three parent visas in this guide, and they are not the same. Two are permanent, and one is temporary.
Out of the three visas, two are permanent.
- The subclass 103 Parent visa
- The (subclass 143) Contributory Parent visa
They are for parents who want to live in Australia forever. Consequently, if your parent wants a shorter stay, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is a great option. However, it allows 3 or 5 years per visa. Besides, your parent can apply again, up to 10 years in total. On the other hand, one thing to remember: they can’t work on this visa.
How Much Will It Cost?
Let’s talk about money early. Here is the cost for one applicant:
- Subclass 103: from AUD 8,665, paid in 2 instalments
- For subclass 143, you pay from AUD 49,900 in 2 parts
- For subclass 870 visa Australia, up to 3 years: you pay AUD 6,370 or up to 5 years: AUD 12,440
Some people pay less. Concessions apply in limited cases. Does your parent already have a Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) or a substituted Visitor visa (subclass 600)? Then the cost of the 143 may be lower. There is another saving too. Since 1 July 2026, eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens pay less, as long as their application is valid. If you think some extra fees may be added. Then you can see them on the Home Affairs website, under the Cost part of the “About this visa” tab. If the list feels confusing, the ImmiVisa is here to help.
Are You Eligible?
For the permanent visas (103 and 143), your parent must have an eligible child. This child must be a settled Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Your parent must also meet the visa conditions and follow Australian law.
There is one thing many people miss. On the other hand, if your parent has already applied for, or holds, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (870), they cannot apply for the 103 or 143. So think before you choose.
Who Will Sponsor Your Parent?
The Parent visa (103) needs an eligible sponsor. Hence, Home Affairs must also approve the sponsorship. In most cases, the sponsor is the child. If the child is under 18, an eligible relative or a community organisation can sponsor instead.
The temporary visa (870) works in a similar way. Your parent must first have an approved Parent Sponsor before they can lodge the application.
What Tests Come with Subclass 103?
This visa has a few more checks. Your parent will need to:
- Meet the balance of family test
- Have an Assurance of Support
- Meet the health requirement, together with any family members applying with them
- Meet the character requirement, together with the same family members
Home Affairs might ask other family members, who are not moving, to meet the health and character rules too. And there is a rule for children. If an applicant is under 18, Home Affairs will not grant the visa when it is not in the child’s best interests.
What If Your Parent Is a Retiree?
Some parents can use a special path. They can apply for the 103 as a retiree if all of these are true:
- On 8 May 2018, they held, or had held before, an Investor Retirement (subclass 405) visa or a Retirement (subclass 410) visa
- They have held no other substantive visa between 8 May 2018 and the day they applied
- They are in Australia
A retiree does not need a sponsor, the balance of family test or an Assurance of Support. But they must pay all their own healthcare costs in Australia while Home Affairs processes the visa. So they need to hold proper health insurance until the visa is granted. It should pay for any treatment they really need, including transport.
Is There a Deadline?
Yes, for the 870 visa, and it is short. Your parent must lodge the application within 6 months of the sponsorship approval. If Home Affairs gives permission to apply in Australia, they have only 60 days. However, this permission is given only in a few cases, so please don’t count on it.
Parent Visas Take Time
Be ready for a long wait with the permanent visas. More people want Parent visas than the number of places each year, so the processing times are long. Home Affairs has a page called Parent visa queue release dates. Do read it before you apply.
For the 870 visa, you can use the visa processing time guide tool. It shows how long recently decided applications took. But remember, it is just a guide. It does not look at your own application.
Ways to Apply
Each visa has its own way:
- Subclasses 103 and 143: online through ImmiAccount
- Subclass 870: online
- For the Temporary Contributory Parent visa, the application is still made on paper
Conclusion
Before applying for Australia parent visas, decide which visa is right for your parents. After that, check what it will cost and read each rule with care. Also, the wait can be long, so stay patient. Besides, ImmiVisa suggests you check the Home Affairs website once more before you apply, because it shows the latest information.
