Parent Visa Australia is a Visa program that is designed by the Australian government to help you bring your parents in Australia. In the application process, navigating your way through the visa subclasses is a tricky process, you need to know the costs involved, and the processing times.
However, to assist you in making an full proof decision concerning the visa that is most suitable to parents migrating to Australia, this guide takes an in-depth look at all programs, from the Fast-Tracked Contributory visas to the Non-Contributory visas.
Types of Parent Visa Australia programs
The parent visa Australia program is primarily divided into two main types being the Permanent Visa Program and the Temporary Visa Program, each designed specifically to cater the different needs in consideration of the speed and cost involved in it.
Permanent Parent Visa Options
The permanent parent visa Australia are those kinds of visa schemes that are considered long-term. These types of visas allow parents to live in the turf of Australia for indefinite time periods, provide indefinite work and study rights, and provides the access to Medicare. Australia offers permanent parent visa Australia pathways for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible NZ citizens meeting the balance of family test and annual quota caps.
| Visa Type | Subclasses | Location | Your Cost & Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Offshore/Onshore |
AUD $5k low fee, 30+ years queue |
||
|
Offshore/Onshore |
AUD $48k+, 3-5 years fast track |
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|
Temporary-to-Permanent |
173 / 884 (Aged) |
Offshore/Onshore |
Staged payments and leads to 143/864 |
Temporary Parent Visa Options
The temporary parent visa Australia are those kinds of visa schemes that are considered short-term. These types of visas allow parents stay in Australia for a certain and short period of time. Temporary parent visa Australia helps you to fulfill parent visa waiting time gaps without permanent commitment being involved.
| Visa Type | Subclass | Location | Your Maximum Stay / Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Offshore/Onshore |
5 years/grant, 10-year max, AUD $10k |
||
|
Visitor Visa for Parents |
Offshore |
3-12 months visits, AUD $190 + extensions |
Complete Parent Visa Australia Comparison Table
If you are still unclear and confused about which pathway choosing the right visa pathway for the reunion of your family, you need to have good understanding of all the visa programs and know the difference between cost, speed, and residency rights between the various visa programs.
The table given below has been verified and updated with the July 1, 2025 cost and the latest Department of Home Affairs processing times.
| Feature | 103 (Non-Contributory) | 143 (Contributory) | 804 (Aged Non-Contributory) | 864 (Aged Contributory) | 870 (Sponsored Temporary) | 600 (Visitor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent | Permanent | Permanent | Permanent | Temporary (10yr max) | Short-term visits |
| Location | Offshore | Offshore | Onshore | Onshore | Offshore primary | Offshore |
| Age Req. | None (any age) | None (any age) | 67+ at lodgment | 67+ at lodgment | 18+ | None |
| BoFT | Required | Required | Required | Required | No BoFT | No |
| Wait Time | 30–33 years | 12–15 years | 30–33 years | 12–15 years | 3–8 months | 1–3 months |
| 1st VAC | AUD $5,280 | AUD $5,040 | AUD $5,280 | AUD $5,040 | AUD $1,215 + AUD $420 | AUD $190 |
| 2nd VAC | AUD $2,065 | AUD $43,600 | AUD $2,065 | AUD $43,600 | AUD $12,140 (5yr) | None |
| AoS Bond | AUD $5,000–AUD $10k | AUD $10,000+ | AUD $5,000–AUD $10k | AUD $10,000+ | None | None |
| Total Cost | ~AUD $13k–AUD $15k | ~AUD $62k+ | ~AUD $13k–AUD $15k | ~AUD $62k+ | ~AUD $16k | ~AUD $900 |
| Work Rights | Full PR | Full PR | BVA during wait | BVA during wait | No work | No |
| Medicare | Yes | Yes | Limited (RHCA only) | Yes | OVHC only | No |
| Travel | 5yr facility | 5yr facility | BVB needed | 5yr facility | Multiple entry | Multiple entry |
Eligibility Requirement for Parent Visa Australia
In the Eligibility criteria for Parent Visa Australia, your Balance of Family Test is done. All permanent parents visa Australia like the subclass (103, 143, 173, 804, 864, 884) require you to successfully pass the Balance of Family Test (BoFT)
The passing criteria for the Parent Visa Australia are if you are eligible in the below criteria:
- More than 50% of your children and stepchildren are Citizens of Australia, Individuals having permanent residency of Australia, or you are an eligible New Zealand citizen whose residence is in Australia.
- More of your children and stepchildren are living permanently in Australia than in any single other country.
Example of the situation:
– 4 kids total: You + 2 siblings living in Australia = PASS (3/4)
– 5 kids total: You + 1 sibling living in Australia = FAIL (2/5)
Crucial Note: If your Children are on the temporary Australian visas, they are not counted as resident in Australia for the purpose of this test. The Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) is the only parent visa that does not require applicants to pass the BoFT.
Parent Visa Australia Processing Time
The Parent Visa Australia’s long visa queue is a defining feature of the permanent migration program. The demand for the parent visas is way more oversubscribed as compared to the number of places allocated by the Australian government each year.
| Subclass | Queue Release (2025) | Your New Application Wait |
|---|---|---|
|
30-33 years |
||
|
Aged Parent 804 Visa |
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|
Contributory 143 Visa |
Processing June 2018 |
3-5 years |
Parent Visa Australia Full Cost
With the variation of various visas across the Parent Visa Application program, the cost also varies dramatically with every visa scheme. Here is the expense across all subclass visas:
| Cost Category | Contributory Visa (143/864) | Non-Contributory Visa (103/804) | Parent Visa 870 (5yr) | Visitor 600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge (VAC) | AUD $4,885 | AUD $4,885 | AUD $10,180 | AUD $190 |
| Contributory Surcharge | AUD $43,755 | - | Included | - |
| Assurance of Support Bond (AoS) | AUD $10,000 (refundable) | AUD $5,000-10,000 (refundable) | - | - |
| Health Examinations (HAP ID) | AUD $350-500 | AUD $350-500 | AUD $350-500 | - |
| Police Clearance Certificates | AUD $200-400 (per country) | AUD $200-400 (per country) | $200-400 | - |
| Biometrics | AUD $20 | AUD $20 | AUD $20 | AUD $20 |
| NAATI Translations | AUD $300-600 | AUD $300-600 | AUD $300-600 | - |
| Form Processing/Agent Fees | AUD $2,000-5,000 | AUD $2,000-5,000 | AUD $1,500-3,000 | AUD $500-1,000 |
| TOTAL PER PARENT | AUD $61,510 - AUD $65,160+ | AUD $8,255 - AUD $12,405 | AUD $12,570 - AUD $14,700 | AUD $710 - AUD $1,210 |
| ADULT DEPENDENT ADD-ON | + AUD $30,000 | + AUD $2,440 | - | + AUD $190 |
Step-By-Step Application Process for Parent Visa Australia
- EOI Submission
In this step, as a sponsor you need to apply for the an Expression of Interest Application online via the Department of Home Affairs portal where you will need to include the basic details about your parents, your relationship, and balance of family test evidence.
- Invitation to Apply
After the EOI has been successfully submitted, the DHA emails you an invitation to concerned office based on the quota availability and lodgment date priority. You will have 60 days to accept the invitation and then submit the full application after receiving invitation.
After the Invitation has been received, you will need to complete the Form 47PA (parent applicant) and the Form 40PA (your sponsorship undertaking). Make sure to
attach relationship proof, birth certificates, and balance of family documents in the forms as well.
- Health and Character
After the Paper Forms have been submitted, you will need to book health examinations via HAP ID system and provide police clearance certificates from every country where parents lived 12+ months since age 16.
- Assurance of Support (AoS)
After all these steps are followed, you will be required to arrange AoS via Form 956A from you or financial relative guaranteeing no Centrelink reliance. You will also be required to lodge $5,000-10,000 refundable bond.
Parent Visa Australia Pitfalls You Avoid
- Health Failures
You should book HAP ID medicals before EOI lodgment as parents over 65 often fail due to undisclosed conditions (diabetes, heart issues)
- Balance of Family Test (BoFT) Miscalculation
You can fail the BoFT if you make a mistake in counting temporary visa holders or uncontactable siblings.
- Assurance of Support (AoS) Bond Default
You can fail if the sponsors underestimate Centrelink claims which can lead to $10k bond forfeiture
- Queue Abandonment
You can fail the Parent Visa Australia program due to outdated addresses. As 150,000+ applications are lost yearly due to outdated addresses, make sure to update DHA annually via ImmiAccount.
Family Inclusion Costs and Rights for the Parent Visa Australia
The contributory parent visa application, such as application 143 or 864, can lead to a complete family reunion but comes with it there is a significant financial cost involved. As of 2025-26, applicants are to be prepared for a total fee of approximately 48,495 AUD, which includes both the application fee and a contribution fee.
It’s important to note that adding adult dependent does not exempt the family from the Balance of Family Test, essential for determining eligibility. However, the investment ensures robust permanent residency rights, including immediate access to Medicare benefits and the Australian public healthcare system for the entire family from the onset of their residency.
Post-Grant Benefits of Parent Visa Australia
After your parents have been successfully granted the Parent Visa Australia, your parents transition into the Australian community with full permanent residency privileges. Unlike other temporary streams, a permanent parent visa Australia whether it is obtained through the parent visa 103 or the aged parent visa allows your parents for an indefinite stay with the full access to live, work, and study anywhere in the country without any restriction.
The long-term benefits of these visas extend to social security and civic participation:
Healthcare and Welfare: Although the main benefit of access to Medicare is a major advantage after the grant, in other case of accessing various Centrelink payments of a social security nature, you have to take into consideration the Newly Arrived Resident Waiting Period or NARWP of 10 years in relation to pensions.
Path to Citizenship: Your parents can apply for citizenship in Australia after living in the country for four years, which includes 12 months of residency as a permanent resident, to give them the full right to vote and possess the Australian passport.
Sponsorship Rights: As permanent residents, your parents have the right to sponsor other eligible family members for their migration to come to Australia, and this sets the foundation for multi-generational family life in Australia.
Partner Visa FAQs
The contributory parent visa Subclass143 typically processes in about 3-5 years which is Australia’s fastest Parent Visa Australia permanent option due to priority quotas (6,800 places annually). This beats parent visa 103 decades-long queues, making it ideal when family reunion urgency outweighs the $48k+ parent visa Australia cost.
Parent visa 103 faces 30-33 year waits due to 150,000+ backlog vs. 8,500 allocated annual places, the DHA currently processes June 2013 applications. Despite low $5k parent visa Australia cost, you should secure queue position via free EOI now while using visitor visa for parents annually. This option is the perfect budget strategy for patient families.
The program cost varies: Contributory 143 totals $61k-65k (VAC $4,885 + $43k surcharge + $10k AoS bond). Parent visa 103 ~$8k-12k (no surcharge). Parent visa 870 $12k-15k for 5 years. All bonds refundable after 10 claim-free years—BJay optimizes your total spend.
Permanent Parent Visa (103, 143, 804, 864) requires balance of family test—half+ siblings in Australia (citizens/PRs only, no temp visas). Parent visa 870 exempts this test, needing only your $83k income. Verify via birth certificates + residency proofs to avoid 25% refusals.
Visitor visa for parents (Subclass 600) grants 3–12-month annual stays (1–3-month processing, $190 cost) during 30-year parent visa 103 wait. Multiple-entry 3–5-year validity perfect for bridging parent visa waiting time. Combine with parent visa 870 for 10-year work rights solution.
Get your free Consultation with BJay
Starting your journey in Australia can be hard and overwhelming, when it comes to knowing the requirements of the skill assessment, visa eligibility and the documents required for the process. That’s why we BJay Education & Migration offer you a completely free, no-obligation consultation service so you can get all the support you need and boost the chances of studying or working in Australia.
Take the Free Consultation Today: Book your free consultation with BJay and let us guide you through every hurdle that comes in the path of you and a positive skill assessment in Australia.
