Parent Visas

A Parent Visa allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia, either temporarily or permanently.

Whether you are seeking to join your children for family reunion or planning a longer-term move, there are several visa options to consider, each with specific eligibility requirements, processing times, and costs. Understanding the basic framework of these visas can help you plan your application and gather the necessary documentation. Here’s some general information to help you get started.

Visa Options

Visa Type When to Apply / Where you Are Key Features
Subclass 870 - Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa If you are outside Australia and wish to visit your child in Australia for an extended period (3 or 5 years per visa grant). This visa allows parents to live in Australia temporarily for three or five years at a time, up to a maximum stay of ten years through subsequent grants. It does not include work rights and does not lead to permanent residency.
Subclass 103 - Parent Visa Can be applied for from inside or outside Australia. However, applying onshore does not grant a bridging visa. This is a permanent visa with a lower application cost and relatively straightforward eligibility criteria. Processing times are currently over thirty years due to capping and queuing, and applicants must meet the Balance of Family Test.
Subclass 804 - Aged Parent Visa Available to applicants in Australia who meet the age requirement for the Australian Aged Pension. This is a permanent visa with processing times exceeding thirty years. Applicants who lodge the visa in Australia can remain on a bridging visa while awaiting a decision. Applicants must meet both the Balance of Family Test and the age requirement.
Subclass 173 / 143 - Contributory Parent (Temporary / Permanent) Visa Suitable for parents who are outside Australia and willing to pay a higher visa application charge for faster processing. This visa provides a permanent residency pathway with faster processing than non-contributory visas, currently around twelve to fourteen years. The Subclass 173 visa is a temporary visa that allows the cost to be paid in two stages before applying for the permanent Subclass 143 visa. Applicants must meet the Balance of Family Test and provide an Assurance of Support.
Subclass 884 / 864 - Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary / Permanent) Visa Available to applicants in Australia who meet the age requirement for the Australian Aged Pension. This pathway is similar to the Subclass 173 / 143 visas but is intended for aged parents applying onshore. It offers faster processing than the non-contributory visas, currently around twelve to fourteen years. The Subclass 884 visa allows staged payment before transitioning to the permanent Subclass 864 visa. Applicants must meet the Balance of Family Test and provide an Assurance of Support.

Key Requirements

    To be eligible for a Parent Visa, you generally must:

    • Relationship: Prove that you are the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of your sponsoring child. Acceptable evidence includes birth certificates, adoption certificates, or official documentation confirming the parent-child relationship. This requirement applies to all parent visa subclasses.

    • Balance of Family: Show that at least half of your children live permanently in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. You must also provide evidence for children who are not counted in the test (for example, if a child is deceased). This applies to all permanent parent visas, both contributory and non-contributory. 

    • Age (for aged parent visas): Meet the age requirement for the Australian Age Pension (currently 67 years old) at the time of application. 

    • Sponsor Approval: Your child or their eligible partner must be approved as your sponsor and provide evidence that they are settled in Australia, financially capable of supporting you, and meet residency requirements. For some visas, the sponsor may also need to provide an Assurance of Support or bond payment to guarantee financial support.

    • Assurance of Support (if required): Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173, 143, 884, 864) usually require the sponsor to submit financial evidence, including income records, tax returns, or a bond payment. Non-contributory visas (subclasses 103, 804) typically do not require this, although the Department may request supporting evidence in specific cases.

    • Health: Meet health requirements through medical examinations. This is required for all parent visas regardless of subclass.

    • Character:  Provide police certificates from every country where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16. This is required for all parent visas regardless of subclass.
    • Identity and documents: Provide certified copies of passports, birth certificates, marriage or change-of-name certificates, and ensure that any documents not in English are accompanied by a certified English translation. This applies across all visa subclasses. 

    Evidence

          When applying for a Parent visa, you will need to provide documents to demonstrate your eligibility:

          1. Identity and Legal Status

            • Passports and travel documents

            • Birth certificates and change-of-name documents

            • Marriage certificates (if applicable)

            • Certified English translations for any documents not in English

            • Identification for all family members included in the application

          2. Family Relationships

            • Birth certificates or adoption records confirming your relationship to your sponsoring child(ren)

            • Official documentation showing step-relationships or other family ties

            • Evidence that a majority of your children reside permanently in Australia (Balance of Family Test), if required

          3. Financial and Support Aspects

            • Evidence of your sponsor’s financial capacity, such as tax returns, payslips, and bank statements

            • Assurance of Support (AoS) or bond payment, if requested for contributory Parent visas

            • Supporting evidence for non-contributory Parent visas if requested by the Department

          4. Health and Character

            • Medical examination reports to meet Australia’s health requirements

            • Police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16

          Frequently Asked Questions

          What is the difference between contributory and non-contributory Parent visa?

          Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173/143 for standard, 884/864 for aged parents) require a higher application fee but are processed faster, generally within 12–14 years. Non-contributory Parent visas (subclasses 103/804) have lower fees but can take over 30 years to process. Contributory visas may involve staged payments and can provide temporary residence before permanent residency is granted.

          What is the Balance of Family Test?

          The Balance of Family Test ensures that most of your children reside permanently in Australia. To meet the test, at least 50% of your children must live in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Evidence includes birth certificates, adoption records, and proof of your children’s residence and status.

          Can I include dependent adult children in my Parent visa application?

          Yes, dependent adult children may be included if they rely on you financially or meet the Department’s criteria for dependency. You will need to provide evidence such as financial records, school enrolment letters, or other proof of dependency.

          Do I need to meet health and character requirements?

          Yes. All applicants must undergo health examinations and provide police clearance certificates from every country in which you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16. This protects your health and the Australian community.

          Can I wok while on a Parent visa?

          Most Parent visas, including permanent Parent visas, do not grant work rights. Temporary contributory visas may provide limited work rights while in Australia before transitioning to permanent residency.

          What happens if I fail to meet the Balance of Family Test?

          If you do not meet the Balance of Family Test, you may be ineligible for certain permanent Parent visas. You may still consider other visa pathways, such as temporary contributory Parent visas, or explore options for exemptions in specific circumstances.

          Can I apply from inside or outside Australia?

                It depends on the visa subclass. Non-contributory Parent visas (103, 804) can be applied for onshore or offshore, though onshore applicants will not receive a bridging visa. Contributory Parent visas (173/143, 884/864) can also be applied for onshore or offshore, with staged payment options for the temporary-to-permanent pathway.

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                Disclaimer

                The information provided on this website is for general purposes only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the content is not, and is not intended to be, legal or immigration advice, and it does not create a solicitor–client relationship with Tern Legal. The information should be treated as a practical guide only. No person should act on the basis of the material on this website without obtaining advice specific to their circumstances and, where necessary, seeking professional assistance.

                Migration law in Australia is subject to ongoing changes in legislation and government policy, and the information provided may not reflect the most up-to-date position. You are encouraged to make your own enquiries as to the accuracy of the information at the time of use. For advice relevant to your situation, please consult a qualified professional. Tern Legal makes no guarantees regarding the outcome or approval of any migration application.

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