Australia Parent Visas
Australia Parent Visas
Australia offers temporary and permanent visa options that allow eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reunite with their children in Australia.
The most suitable pathway depends on the parent’s age, family circumstances, preferred length of stay, budget, and whether they meet the applicable Balance of Family Test.
Visa Pathways
Main Australia Parent Visa Options
Parent Visa – Subclass 103
Permanent Residence PathwayThe Subclass 103 Parent Visa is a permanent residence pathway for eligible parents who want to move to Australia permanently.
It allows successful applicants to:
- Live in Australia permanently
- Work and study in Australia
- Enrol in Medicare
- Sponsor eligible family members
- Travel to and from Australia for five years
- Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
This visa has a comparatively lower government charge, but processing times are extremely long because applications are capped and queued.
Contributory Parent Visa – Subclass 143
Permanent Residence PathwayThe Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa provides permanent residence to eligible parents who are prepared to pay a significantly higher government contribution.
It offers the same major permanent residence benefits as the Subclass 103 visa but generally has a shorter estimated waiting period than non-contributory Parent visas. However, current processing remains lengthy.
Contributory Parent Temporary Visa – Subclass 173
Temporary PathwayThe Subclass 173 Visa allows eligible parents to live in Australia temporarily for up to two years.
Visa holders may:
- Live in Australia for up to two years
- Work and study in Australia
- Apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa before the temporary visa expires
This two-stage option can allow applicants to spread the contributory visa costs over a longer period.
Aged Parent Visa – Subclass 804
Permanent Residence PathwayThe Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa is a permanent visa for applicants who have reached the age required to qualify for the Australian age pension.
Applicants must generally be in Australia when applying and must meet the applicable eligibility conditions. The visa allows permanent residence, employment, study, Medicare access, and a potential pathway to citizenship. Processing times are very long.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa – Subclass 864
Permanent Residence PathwayThe Subclass 864 Visa is a permanent contributory pathway for eligible aged parents. It involves a higher government charge but generally has a shorter estimated waiting period than the Subclass 804 visa.
Applicants must meet the age requirement and other applicable Parent visa conditions.
Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa – Subclass 884
Temporary PathwayThe Subclass 884 Visa allows eligible aged parents to remain in Australia temporarily for up to two years.
Applicants may later apply for the permanent Subclass 864 visa before the temporary visa expires, allowing the cost to be paid across two stages.
Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa – Subclass 870
Temporary Visitor PathwayThe Subclass 870 Visa allows an eligible parent to visit Australia temporarily for up to three or five years per visa.
It may allow further temporary stays up to a maximum cumulative period of ten years. This visa does not provide permanent residence and does not require the Balance of Family Test, but the child must first be approved as a sponsor.
Eligibility
General Eligibility Requirements
Depending on the visa subclass, applicants may need to:
Have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Have an approved sponsor
Meet the Balance of Family Test for most permanent and contributory Parent visas
Meet health and character requirements
Provide an Assurance of Support where required
Pay the applicable visa charges
Meet the age requirement for an Aged Parent pathway
Satisfy any location and visa-history requirements
Balance of Family Test
Most permanent Parent visa applicants must pass the Balance of Family Test.
A parent generally passes the test when:
At least half of their children and stepchildren are eligible children living in Australia; or
More eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country
The Australian Government does not waive this requirement, even in compelling circumstances. The test does not apply to the temporary Subclass 870 visa.
Our Services
Start Your Australia Parent Visa Journey
Open Path Immigration can assist with:
Identifying the most suitable Parent visa pathway
Balance of Family Test review
Sponsor and applicant eligibility assessment
Document checklist and application preparation
Contributory and aged-parent pathway guidance
Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa assistance
Important Notice
Parent visa eligibility, fees, processing estimates, queue dates, and programme requirements may change. Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee visa approval. Final decisions are made solely by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
