If you are settled in Australia and want your parents to live with you permanently or for a long duration, understanding Australian parent visa types is essential. Australia offers multiple parent visa options, each designed for different family situations, budgets, and timelines.
This in-depth guide explains Australian parent visa types & requirements, eligibility criteria, costs, processing times, and common mistakes—helping families make informed decisions.
An Australian parent visa allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia. These visas are primarily divided into temporary and permanent categories.
Choosing the right visa depends on:
Age of parents
Balance of Family Test
Budget and waiting period
Long-term settlement plans
When people search for Australian parent visa types, they usually want clarity on which visa suits them best—this guide breaks it down simply.
To meet Australian parent visa requirements, the sponsor must:
Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Be settled in Australia (usually living for 2+ years)
Be 18 years or older
Provide an Assurance of Support (AoS)
The sponsor can be a biological, adopted, or step-child.
The Balance of Family Test is one of the most important Australian parent visa requirements.
Parents must meet one of the following:
At least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or
More children live in Australia than in any other single country
This test applies to most Australian parent visa types, especially permanent visas.
Let’s explore the most common Australian parent visa types, their features, and who they are best suited for.
The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is one of the most popular Australian parent visa types for families who want their parents to settle permanently in Australia with a shorter waiting time. Although the cost is higher, it is often chosen because it offers permanent residency much faster than non-contributory visas.
Permanent residency in Australia
Faster processing compared to non-contributory parent visas
Access to Medicare after visa grant
Work and study rights in Australia
Pathway to Australian citizenship
Higher visa cost compared to other parent visas
To meet Australian parent visa requirements, applicants must:
Pass the Balance of Family Test
Have an eligible sponsor who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Meet health and character requirements
Provide an Assurance of Support (AoS)
The average processing time is around 4–6 years, which is considered fast among Australian parent visa types.
The visa cost is significantly higher, but many families prefer Subclass 143 because it reduces waiting time by many years.
Best for: Families seeking permanent settlement for parents in Australia without extremely long visa queues.
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) is a temporary Australian parent visa that provides a direct pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 143 visa. It allows parents to live in Australia while spreading the total visa cost over two stages.
Lower initial payment than Subclass 143
Two-stage process leading to permanent residency
Faster option compared to non-contributory parent visas
Designed to convert to Subclass 143
Visa validity: Up to 2 years
Multiple entry: Allowed
Work rights: Limited
Medicare: Not available (private health insurance required)
Parents must apply for the permanent visa before the temporary visa expires.
This visa is best suited for families who:
Meet the Balance of Family Test
Want quicker family reunification
Prefer to manage high visa costs in stages
The Subclass 103 Parent Visa is a non-contributory permanent Australian parent visa designed for families who want a low-cost pathway to bring parents to Australia permanently. While it offers full permanent residency benefits, it comes with one major trade-off—very long waiting times.
Permanent residency in Australia
Access to Medicare after grant
Ability to live, work, and study
Future pathway to Australian citizenship
One of the lowest visa costs among Australian parent visa types
Much lower cost compared to contributory parent visas
Permanent residency without temporary stages
Extremely long waiting period
Strict Balance of Family Test requirement
Often 20–30 years due to capped allocations.
Families who are cost-sensitive and not time-sensitive, and are planning long-term permanent settlement for their parents.
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a permanent Australian parent visa for parents who meet Australia’s Age Pension age. It allows parents to apply from inside Australia, making it suitable for elderly parents already staying with their children.
Onshore application while legally staying in Australia
Bridging visa allows parents to remain in Australia during processing
Leads to Australian permanent residency
Lower visa cost compared to contributory parent visas
Very long processing time (often 20+ years)
Subject to annual visa caps
Limited work rights while on a bridging visa
This visa follows similar timelines as Subclass 103.
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) has processing timelines similar to the Parent Visa (Subclass 103) due to high demand and limited annual places.
Elderly parents already in Australia
Families not in urgent need of visa approval
Applicants seeking a low-cost permanent parent visa
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is one of the faster Australian parent visa types for older parents who are already in Australia. It allows parents to obtain permanent residency without leaving the country during processing.
This visa is suitable for parents who meet Australia’s Age Pension age and want a quicker pathway compared to non-contributory options.
Permanent Residency – Live in Australia indefinitely
Faster Processing – Much quicker than Subclass 804
Onshore Application – Apply while in Australia and stay on a bridging visa
Work & Medicare Access – Available after visa grant
Citizenship Pathway – Eligible after meeting residency rules
Applicants must:
Meet the Age Pension age
Pass the Balance of Family Test
Have an eligible sponsor
Meet health and character requirements
Provide an Assurance of Support
The cost is high, similar to the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143). The higher fee allows priority processing and reduces waiting time significantly.
Parents already in Australia
Families seeking permanent residency faster
Applicants comfortable with higher visa charges
The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa allows parents to stay in Australia for an extended period without meeting the Balance of Family Test. It is designed for families who want long-term visits rather than permanent migration.
Stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years per visa
No Balance of Family Test required
Multiple entries during the visa period
Total stay of up to 10 years
Faster processing than permanent parent visas
No work rights
No pathway to permanent residency or citizenship
Parents cannot apply for other parent visas while in Australia on this visa
Must leave Australia when the visa expires
This visa is ideal for long visits without permanent migration.
Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Sponsor must meet minimum income requirements
Parents must hold private health insurance (Medicare not available)
This visa is ideal for parents who want to spend quality time with family in Australia without migrating permanently.
To meet Australian parent visa requirements, applicants must:
Pass health examinations
Meet character requirements
Provide genuine relationship proof
Have Assurance of Support
Clear outstanding debts to Australia
Incomplete documentation is one of the biggest reasons for delays.
An Assurance of Support is a financial commitment by the sponsor to support parents and ensure they don’t rely on public welfare.
Usually 10 years for contributory visas
2 years for temporary visas
All Australian parent visa applicants must:
Undergo medical exams
Meet public health standards
Maintain adequate health insurance (especially for Subclass 870)
Choosing the wrong Australian parent visa type
Misunderstanding Balance of Family Test
Incomplete financial documents
Applying without professional guidance
These mistakes can cost years of delay.
Processing depends on:
Visa subclass
Application quality
Annual visa caps
Contributory visas are always processed faster.
Permanent parent visas allow work
Subclass 870 does not allow work
Bridging visas may have limited rights
Parents can apply for citizenship after:
Holding PR
Meeting residency requirements
Passing citizenship tests
The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 or 864) is the fastest Australian parent visa, with processing times usually around 4–6 years, much quicker than non-contributory options.
Yes. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 870 does not require the Balance of Family Test, making it easier for many families.
Yes. Parents who apply onshore for certain visas (like aged parent visas) may stay in Australia on a bridging visa while waiting for a decision.
Yes. Most Australian parent visas are subject to annual caps, which is why processing times—especially for non-contributory visas—can be very long.
Only permanent parent visa holders are eligible for Medicare. Temporary parent visa holders must arrange private health insurance.
The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) and Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) are the cheapest options, but they have very long waiting periods, often exceeding 20 years.
There is no maximum age limit for most Australian parent visas. However, aged parent visas require parents to meet Australia’s age pension age.
Yes, parents can work if they hold a permanent parent visa. The Subclass 870 temporary parent visa does not allow work in Australia.
Parents can stay for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a maximum stay of 10 years, but this visa does not lead to permanent residency.
Yes. Parents who obtain permanent residency through an Australian parent visa may apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency and eligibility requirements.
Understanding Australian parent visa types & requirements is crucial for families planning long-term reunification. Each visa has unique benefits, costs, and timelines. Choosing the right option can save years and significant expenses.
For the best outcome, families should carefully assess eligibility, timelines, and financial commitments—or consult an experienced migration professional.
