Parent Visa Options in Australia: A Complete Guide

RACC Australia - Education and Migration Services
4 days ago
3 min read

If you're planning to bring your parents to Australia, there are several visa options available depending on their age, where they are, and whether you want them to stay temporarily or permanently. Here's a simplified guide to help you understand the key differences.

1. Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

Type: Permanent
Age Requirement: At least 67 years old
Eligibility: Parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are settled in Australia.
Where to Apply: Must be in Australia to apply.
Processing Time: Can take several years due to high demand and annual caps.
Notes: This visa has long wait times because of yearly caps on applications.

2. Parent Visa (Subclass 103)

Type: Permanent
Age Requirement: No minimum age requirement
Eligibility: Parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are settled in Australia.
Where to Apply: Applicants can apply from within or outside Australia.
Processing Time: Long processing times due to annual caps.
Notes: The processing times for this visa can be lengthy because of high demand.

3. Contributory Aged Parent Visa

This category includes two stages:

Temporary Visa (Subclass 884)

Type: Temporary
Age Requirement: At least 67 years old
Where to Apply: Must be in Australia to apply.
Duration: Valid for 2 years
Work Rights: Can work and study in Australia.
Next Step: Can apply for the permanent Subclass 864 after 2 years.

Permanent Visa (Subclass 864)

Type: Permanent
Age Requirement: Must hold a valid Subclass 884 visa
Where to Apply: Must be in Australia to apply.
Work Rights: Can work and study in Australia.
Processing Time: Faster than the Subclass 103 and 804 due to additional contribution fees.

4. Contributory Parent Visa

This category includes two stages:

Temporary Visa (Subclass 173)

Type: Temporary
Age Requirement: No minimum age requirement
Where to Apply: Applicants can apply from within or outside Australia.
Duration: Valid for 2 years
Work Rights: Can work and study in Australia.
Next Step: Can transition to the permanent Subclass 143 visa.

Permanent Visa (Subclass 143)

Type: Permanent
Age Requirement: No minimum age requirement
Where to Apply: Applicants can apply from within or outside Australia.
Work Rights: Can work and study in Australia.
Processing Time: Faster than the Subclass 103 but still subject to caps.

5. Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) Visa

Type: Temporary
Age Requirement: No minimum age requirement
Eligibility: Must have an approved sponsor (you, as the child of the parent).
Where to Apply: Can apply from within or outside Australia.
Duration: Stay for up to 3 or 5 years, with a total of 10 years maximum.
Work Rights: Cannot work.
Processing Time: The fastest of all the parent visas, but capped at 15,000 places per year.
Notes: This visa does not lead to permanent residency.

Important Points to Note

Annual Capping: Many parent visas are capped each year, meaning there are only a limited number of places available.
Long Wait Times: Some parent visas can have lengthy processing times due to high demand.
Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet the specific requirements for each visa type, including age and location.

Eligibility Criteria	Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)	Parent Visa (Subclass 103)	Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 884/864)	Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173/143)	Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870)
Type	Permanent	Permanent	Temporary → Permanent	Temporary → Permanent	Temporary
Age Requirement	67+	None	67+	None	None
Where to Apply	In Australia	In or outside Australia	In Australia	In or outside Australia	In or outside Australia
Work Rights	No	No	Yes (on Subclass 864)	Yes (on Subclass 143)	No
Permanent Residency	Yes	Yes	Yes (on Subclass 864)	Yes (on Subclass 143)	No
Max Stay	N/A	N/A	2 years (Temporary)	2 years (Temporary)	3 or 5 years (reapply for 10 years)
Processing Time	Long (due to caps)	Long (due to caps)	Faster than Subclass 103	Faster than Subclass 103	Fastest (capped at 15,000 places)

How RACC Can Help Your Parent Visa

Choosing the right parent visa for your family can be complex. With varying eligibility criteria, processing times, and costs, it’s essential to get professional advice.

Our team of registered migration agents is here to: