Aged vs Non-Aged Parent Visas

An “aged parent” is defined under Australian social security age criteria.

If the parent meets the age requirement:

• They may be eligible for onshore aged parent subclasses

• They may be able to remain in Australia during processing (subject to visa status)

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If they do not meet the age threshold:

• Offshore parent visa subclasses may apply
   

Correct classification affects visa options and location requirements.

 

Balance of Family Test

Most parent visa applicants must pass the Balance of Family Test.

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This means:

• At least half of the applicant’s children must live permanently in Australia, or

• More children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country
   

This requirement is strict and is one of the most common eligibility hurdles.

 

Assurance of Support

Contributory parent visas require an Assurance of Support (AoS).

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This involves:

• A financial bond

• A commitment to repay certain social security payments

• An assurer who meets income requirements
   

The AoS is a significant financial consideration and must be carefully assessed.

 

Sponsorship Requirements

To sponsor a parent visa application, the child must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

• Be settled in Australia

• Meet sponsorship obligations
   

In some cases, joint sponsorship with a partner may be permitted.

 

How Long Does a Parent Visa Take to Process?

Parent visa processing times are long because demand exceeds the number of places available each Migration Program year.

All applications, except Subclass 870, are subject to capping and queueing, and are processed in the order they are received.

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Estimated processing times for new applications (as at 2026)

Contributory Parent visas (143, 173, 864, 884): approximately 15 years

Parent and Aged Parent visas (103, 804): approximately 33 years

These are Department of Home Affairs estimates for applications lodged today. They are reviewed annually and can change.

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Subclass 870 is different

The Sponsored Parent Temporary visa (Subclass 870) is not subject to capping and queueing. Current processing times: 50% of applications processed within 8 months, 90% within 10 months.

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Current queue snapshot (as at 30 April 2026)

The Department is currently finalising:

• Contributory Parent (143/173): applications queued up to November 2018

• Parent (103) and Aged Parent (804): applications queued up to February 2014

• Temporary to Permanent transitions (173→143, 884→864): queue release date January 2026

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What can make your application take longer

• Incomplete application or missing documents

• Slow response to Department requests

• Health, character, or national security checks

• Limited places available in the Migration Program that year

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The Department does not provide status updates on individual applications within standard processing times. You can check your application status through ImmiAccount.

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How Much Does a Parent Visa Cost in Australia?

Parent visa costs vary significantly depending on which subclass you apply for.

As a general guide, costs range from around AUD 7,345 for a non-contributory visa up to more than AUD 48,000 for a contributory pathway — per applicant.

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All parent visas are paid in two instalments. You pay the first instalment when you lodge your application. The second instalment is paid later, either before the visa is granted or when the Department requests it.

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Here is a summary of the base application charge (first instalment only) for each subclass:

Non-contributory permanent visas

Parent Visa (Subclass 103): AUD 5,280 base charge + AUD 2,065 second instalment per person

Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804): AUD 5,280 base charge + AUD 2,065 second instalment per person

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Contributory temporary visas (Stage 1)

Contributory Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 173): AUD 3,395 base charge + AUD 29,130 second instalment

Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 884): AUD 5,040 base charge + AUD 29,130 second instalment

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Contributory permanent visas (Stage 2 or direct)

Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143): AUD 5,040 base charge + AUD 19,420 second instalment (if transitioning from Subclass 173), or AUD 43,600 second instalment if applying directly without a prior temporary visa

Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864): AUD 5,040 base charge + AUD 19,420 second instalment (if transitioning from Subclass 884), or AUD 43,600 second instalment if applying directly

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Temporary sponsored visa

Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 870): AUD 1,215 base charge + AUD 4,855 second instalment (3-year visa) or AUD 10,925 second instalment (5-year visa). Additional applicants are not eligible for this visa.

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On top of visa application charges, you should also budget for health examination fees, police certificate fees, biometric fees, and for permanent contributory visas, an Assurance of Support bond. These costs are separate and vary by applicant and country.

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For a full breakdown of costs per subclass including additional applicant charges, see our detailed parent visa costs page.

Source: Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Table. Prices current as at June 2026.

 

Contributory vs Non-Contributory Parent Visa: What Is the Difference?

The biggest decision when applying for a parent visa is choosing between these two pathways.

Same end result, permanent residency, but very different in cost, wait time, and who can stay in Australia during processing.

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• Non-contributory (Subclass 103 and 804) Lower cost, but the current estimated processing time for new applications is approximately 33 years.

• Contributory (Subclass 143 and 864) Significantly higher cost, but estimated processing time for new applications is approximately 15 years.

• Bridging visa, aged parents only Parents aged 67 and over who apply onshore for an aged parent visa (Subclass 804 or 864) are granted a bridging visa, allowing them to remain in Australia lawfully during processing. Parents under 67 applying onshore are not granted a bridging visa.

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Two-stage option Applying for a temporary contributory visa first (Subclass 173 or 884) before transitioning to the permanent visa spreads the cost over time and reduces the second instalment from AUD 43,600 to AUD 19,420.

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The right pathway depends on your parent's age, location, and budget. A registered migration agent can assess your situation before you commit.

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Processing time estimates are for new applications and are reviewed annually by the Department of Home Affairs. 

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Which Parent Visa Is Appropriate?

The appropriate pathway depends on:

• Whether the parent meets the aged criteria

• Whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia

• Financial capacity

• Willingness to wait in long queues

• Balance of family eligibility
   

Choosing the wrong subclass can result in delays or ineligibility.

 

Can My Parents Visit While Waiting for a Parent Visa?

Yes. Given that parent visa processing times can stretch to 15–33 years for new applications, many families use a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) to allow parents to spend time in Australia while waiting.

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Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) The Subclass 600 allows parents to visit Australia for up to 12 months at a time. Parents sponsored by an Australian citizen or permanent resident can apply through the Sponsored Family stream, which is specifically designed for family visits.

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The visitor visa does not lead to permanent residency and is not a substitute for a parent visa. It is a practical way for families to stay connected during the wait.

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Important: bridging visa rules If your parent is under 67 and applies for a Parent Visa (Subclass 103 or 143) while onshore, they are not granted a bridging visa and must depart before their visitor visa expires. Parents aged 67 and over applying for an Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804 or 864) onshore are granted a bridging visa and can remain in Australia during processing.

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Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 870) For a longer continuous stay, the Subclass 870 allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, for a maximum total of 10 years. This visa does not lead to permanent residency.

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What Can Your Parents Do After the Visa Is Granted?

Once a permanent parent visa is granted, your parents have the same rights as most Australian permanent residents.

• Stay and work Your parents can live in Australia indefinitely, work without restrictions, and study.

• Medicare Your parents can enrol in Medicare, Australia's public health scheme, once their permanent parent visa is granted. Note that a waiting period may apply before accessing certain Centrelink payments after arrival.

• Travel Your parents can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted. After 5 years, they will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident — unless they have become an Australian citizen.

• Pathway to citizenship Once your parents meet the residence requirements, they may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. For current eligibility requirements, refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.

• Sponsor other family members Permanent parent visa holders can sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.

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Common Misunderstandings

Some frequent misconceptions include:

• Assuming all parents automatically qualify

• Underestimating waiting periods

• Overlooking the Balance of Family Test

• Not understanding Assurance of Support obligations
   

Parent visa applications require careful assessment before lodging.