Parent Visa

Australian Parent Visa – Pathways for Parents to Live in Australia

Australia offers several Parent Visa pathways designed to suit different family circumstances, budgets, and timeframes. Below is a clear overview of the main Parent and Aged Parent visas, including eligibility, costs, and strategic considerations.

Definition – Balance of Family Test
The Balance of Family Test ensures a parent has stronger family ties to Australia than to any other country. It is satisfied when the applicant has an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and either:

• At least half of their children (including stepchildren) are eligible and settled in Australia, or
• More eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country

Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (Permanent | Offshore)

The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) is a permanent residence option for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It is the most affordable permanent parent visa but is subject to strict annual caps, resulting in exceptionally long waiting periods.

Key Features

• Visa Type: Permanent
• Application & Grant Location: Offshore
• Balance of Family Test: Required
• Sponsorship: Eligible child in Australia
• Government Charges:
  • First instalment: $4,990
  • Second instalment: $2,065
• Age Limit: None
• Assurance of Support:
  • $5,000 (primary applicant)
  • $2,000 (additional adult) – held for 4 years
• Estimated Processing Time: 30+ years (queued)

Best suited for: Families seeking a low-cost permanent option who are prepared for a very long wait.

Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary | Offshore)

The Subclass 173 visa is a temporary contributory parent visa valid for up to two years and allows progression to permanent residence through the Subclass 143 visa.

Key Features

• Visa Type: Temporary (up to 2 years)
• Application & Grant Location: Offshore
• Balance of Family Test: Required
• Sponsorship: Required
• Government Charges:
  • First instalment: $3,995
  • Second instalment: $29,130
• Age Limit: None
• Assurance of Support: Not required at this stage
• Estimated Processing Time: Approximately 10–12 years

Best suited for: Families who prefer to split contributory visa costs over two stages.

Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent | Offshore)

The Subclass 143 visa grants permanent residence directly, offering full work rights, Medicare access, and a pathway to Australian citizenship.

Key Features

• Visa Type: Permanent
• Application: Offshore or via Subclass 173 pathway
• Grant Location: Offshore (in some cases onshore)
• Balance of Family Test: Required
• Sponsorship: Required
• Government Charges:
  • First instalment: $4,990
  • Second instalment: $43,600
• Age Limit: None
• Assurance of Support:
  • $10,000 (primary applicant)
  • $4,000 (additional adult) – held for 10 years
• Estimated Processing Time: Approximately 10–12 years

Best suited for: Parents seeking permanent residency with faster processing than non-contributory options.

Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (Permanent | Onshore)

The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is for parents already in Australia who meet the Australian pension age requirement. While affordable, it has extremely long processing times.

• Age Requirement: 67 years or older
• Application & Grant Location: Onshore
• Balance of Family Test: Required
• Estimated Processing Time: 30+ years

Best suited for: Parents who wish to remain in Australia on a bridging visa while awaiting a decision.

Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Permanent | Onshore)

This visa offers faster processing for aged parents applying from within Australia.

• Age Requirement: 67 years or older
• Visa Type: Permanent
• Estimated Processing Time: Approximately 14 years

Best suited for: Aged parents seeking faster permanent residency while remaining in Australia.

Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Temporary | Onshore)

A temporary option allowing aged parents to transition to the Subclass 864 visa.

Best suited for: Families wanting to manage costs in stages.

Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent Visa (Temporary)

The Subclass 870 visa allows parents to stay in Australia long-term without meeting permanent migration criteria.

• Stay Period: 3 or 5 years (up to 10 years total)
• Balance of Family Test: Not required
• Processing Time: Usually 5–6 months

Important: This visa does not provide permanent residence or Medicare access.

Why Choose Terranova Migration Services?

• Strategic visa pathway planning
• Accurate eligibility assessment
• End-to-end application management
• Clear guidance on costs and timeframes

Book a consultation with Terranova Migration Services to identify the most suitable parent visa pathway and ensure your application is handled with precision and care.