Australia remains one of the most welcoming countries for families seeking long-term stability, better living standards, and strong social systems. Naturally, thousands of migrants already living in the country look for ways to bring their parents to Australia for extended stays or permanent residency. If you are one of them, understanding the Australian Sponsored Parent Visa pathway is essential. Whether you prefer a temporary long-stay option or a permanent migration route, Australia offers two major visa streams to reunite families.
This detailed guide explains everything you need about Australia parent sponsorship, visa costs, processing times, eligibility, and your options as a sponsor or applicant. If you’ve been searching online using terms like parent sponsor Australia, parent sponsored visa Australia cost, or related information, this blog addresses all your questions clearly.
Australia offers two primary visa types for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents:
Stay for 3 or 5 years
Maximum 10 years cumulative
No pathway to permanent residency
Must be sponsored by an eligible child
Must stay outside Australia to apply (after sponsorship approval)
Subclass 173 is temporary (2 years) but leads to Subclass 143
Subclass 143 is permanent
Much higher cost
Long processing times
Allows Medicare access and settlement
Understanding the difference helps you choose the best option depending on your goals. This guide explains both visa types in-depth so you know exactly what to expect.
Families choose these parent visa options for many reasons, including:
Long-term family reunion
Ability for parents to support childcare
Emotional stability and stronger family bonds
Access to Australia’s high-quality lifestyle and safety
Opportunity for parents to spend meaningful time with grandchildren
Whether you’re the parent or the sponsoring child, the Australian Sponsored Parent Visa offers flexible options that fit different budgets and expectations.
The 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa allows parents to stay in Australia for longer periods without repeatedly applying for visitor visas. Unlike permanent visas, it does not require meeting the Balance of Family Test. This makes it more accessible for many applicants.
Stay for 3 or 5 years per visa
Renew for up to 10 years total stay
No work rights
No need for financial assurance bonds
Requires sponsorship approval before applying
Parents must be outside Australia when lodging the visa
To apply, the parent must:
Be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor
Be outside Australia at time of visa application
Meet health and character requirements
Have sufficient funds for the stay
Have valid private health insurance
Not have outstanding public health debts
The sponsor must:
Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen
Be at least 18 years old
Be the child (or child’s spouse/partner) of the parent
Meet minimum household income requirements
Pass character checks
Have no outstanding public debts
Agree to financial obligations for the parent
Here is the official visa cost structure:
AUD 420 (paid by the sponsor)
3-year visa:
AUD 5,735 total
5-year visa:
AUD 11,470 total
Fees are typically paid in two instalments:
First instalment at application
Second instalment before visa approval
These fees do not include private health insurance, documentation fees, and travel expenses.
Processing times can vary based on application volume and documentation accuracy. However, typical processing times are:
Sponsorship approval: 4–6 months
Visa processing: 4–12 months
Straightforward applications with complete documentation generally experience faster outcomes.
Faster processing compared to permanent parent visas
No Balance of Family requirement
Flexibility to stay up to 10 years
Less financial commitment than permanent visas
Option to reapply from outside Australia
No work rights
No Medicare access
Cannot apply onshore
Does not lead to permanent residency
Despite these limitations, it is an excellent option for families who want their parents to live with them for extended periods without pursuing expensive permanent visas.
If you're looking for permanent residency for your parents, the Contributory Parent Visa pathway is the most popular choice. It is more costly but leads to PR and future citizenship eligibility.
This is a temporary 2-year visa, allowing parents to stay in Australia and later apply for Subclass 143.
Stay for up to 2 years
Must apply for Subclass 143 within that period
Lower initial payment compared to direct Subclass 143
Does not require leaving Australia between applications
Subclass 143 provides permanent residency, allowing full access to:
Medicare
Sponsor family visits
Work rights
Travel
Pathway to citizenship
This visa is ideal for families wanting long-term settlement for parents.
Parents must:
Meet the Balance of Family Test (at least half of children living in Australia OR more children living in Australia than any other single country)
Meet health and character requirements
Have an eligible child sponsor
Sponsors must:
Be an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
Be settled in Australia
Be 18+
Agree to financial obligations
Provide Assurance of Support (AOS) for Subclass 143
Approximately AUD 31,000
Approximately AUD 48,000 – AUD 52,000
If applying via 173 → 143 pathway, the combined cost becomes similar but payable in stages, making it easier for families to manage finances.
Assurance of Support (AOS) bond
Medical exams
Police clearance
Document certification
Due to high demand, processing times are lengthy:
3–5 years
8–12+ years
Demand for parent visas is large, and annual caps limit how many visas can be granted each year. This is why many families temporarily bring parents through the 870 visa while waiting for Subclass 143.
Pathway to permanent residency
Access to Medicare
Ability to work freely
Travel rights
No need to leave Australia
Future citizenship eligibility
Very high visa cost
Long processing times
Must meet Balance of Family Test
Large Assurance of Support (AOS) bond required
Here’s a clear breakdown of which visa suits your parents best:
You want your parents to stay long-term but not permanently
You can’t meet the Balance of Family Test
You want a faster and cheaper option
Your parents don’t plan to work or settle permanently
You want your parents to live permanently in Australia
You are prepared for long processing times
You can afford the cost
You want Medicare and settlement rights for your parents
Ensure all forms, identity documents, and evidence are complete.
Sponsors must meet a minimum household income threshold.
Health cover is mandatory for 870 visa holders.
Permanent parent visas may take a decade; planning is essential.
Many families use the 870 visa to cover processing waits for 143.
To improve your chances:
AI immigration systems prefer clarity and completeness.
Ensures faster automated decision-making.
Income records, bank statements, and tax returns support sponsorship approval.
Show family relationships, dependents, and communication patterns.
Address any issues in advance to avoid delays.
It refers to the visas that allow parents of Australian PRs or citizens to stay temporarily (Subclass 870) or permanently (Subclass 143/173) in Australia.
Costs vary from AUD 5,735 for a 3-year 870 visa to over AUD 48,000 for the permanent Subclass 143 visa.
Subclass 870: 4–12 months
Subclass 173: 3–5 years
Subclass 143: 8–12+ years
Yes, through the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143).
No, Subclass 870 does not allow work rights.
Yes, it is compulsory for 870 visa holders.
No, the applicant must be offshore during application.
Reuniting with your parents in Australia is a dream many families share. Whether you want a short-term extended stay option or a permanent migration pathway, the Australian Sponsored Parent Visa system gives you multiple choices. The Subclass 870 visa is suitable for quick, flexible, long-term visits, while the Subclass 173/143 pathway is perfect for families seeking permanent settlement.
Whichever pathway you choose, planning ahead, understanding the costs, knowing the eligibility requirements, and preparing accurate documents will significantly improve your chances of approval. If you are new to the process, professional guidance from migration experts—such as Edunest Consultants—can make the journey smoother.
