Parent Visa Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide to Every Option, Cost & Wait Time
A parent visa Australia allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia — either temporarily or permanently. With seven distinct visa subclasses, wildly different costs, and wait times ranging from a few months to over 30 years, choosing the right pathway is one of the most consequential decisions a family can make.
This guide covers every parent visa option available in 2026, explains the key differences, outlines eligibility requirements, and helps you decide which route best fits your situation. All figures are indicative — always verify current fees and processing times directly with the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Overview: The 7 Parent Visa Subclasses at a Glance
Australia’s parent visas sit within the Family Migration program and are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. Annual caps limit how many permanent visas are granted each year, creating long queues. The table below summarises all seven options.
| Subclass | Type | Onshore / Offshore | Approx. Cost (main applicant) | Typical Queue / Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 – Parent | Permanent | Offshore | ~AUD 8,665 (2 instalments) | 30+ years |
| 804 – Aged Parent | Permanent | Onshore | ~AUD 8,665 (2 instalments) | 30+ years |
| 143 – Contributory Parent | Permanent | Offshore | ~AUD 49,900 (2 instalments) | ~12–15 years |
| 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary) | Temporary (pathway to 143) | Offshore | Lower first instalment, then pay for 143 | Faster initial stage |
| 864 – Contributory Aged Parent | Permanent | Onshore | ~AUD 48,000–50,000+ | ~5–6+ years |
| 884 – Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) | Temporary (pathway to 864) | Onshore | Lower first instalment, then pay for 864 | Faster initial stage |
| 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) | Temporary | Onshore or offshore | 3 yrs: ~AUD 6,370 / 5 yrs: ~AUD 12,440 | Months (not years) |
Fees are indicative and subject to change on 1 July each year. Verify current Visa Application Charges at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.
Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103 and 804)
What Are They?
The non-contributory parent visas — Subclass 103 (Parent) and Subclass 804 (Aged Parent) — are the lower-cost permanent residency options. Both grant full permanent resident rights: the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, access to Medicare, and a pathway to citizenship.
- Subclass 103 is for parents applying from outside Australia (offshore). There is no minimum age requirement.
- Subclass 804 is for parents already in Australia (onshore) who have reached Age Pension age — currently generally 67 years or older.
The 30+ Year Queue Problem
The annual cap for non-contributory parent visas is just 1,700 places per year. Demand vastly exceeds supply. As at 30 April 2026, the Department of Home Affairs had released Subclass 103 and 804 applications with a queue date up to February 2014 — meaning applicants who lodged in early 2014 were only just being considered. For anyone applying today, the realistic wait is over 30 years.
This makes the non-contributory visa a theoretical option for most families rather than a practical one. It is worth lodging an application to secure a queue position, but families should not rely on it as their primary plan.
Costs
The application fee for Subclass 103 is approximately AUD 5,280 for the main applicant (first instalment), with a second instalment of around AUD 2,065 payable closer to visa grant — totalling roughly AUD 7,345 to AUD 8,665 per main applicant at current rates. Additional family members included in the application pay reduced fees.
Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143, 173, 864, and 884)
What Makes Them Different?
Contributory parent visas require applicants to pay a significantly higher fee — essentially a financial contribution toward the cost of their future use of Australian public services. In exchange, they receive priority placement in the queue and substantially shorter processing times compared to non-contributory visas.
Subclass 143: Contributory Parent (Permanent)
The Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa is the most commonly pursued permanent parent visa. It is applied for offshore and has no age limit. The base application fee starts at approximately AUD 48,640–49,900 per applicant (paid in two instalments), making it one of the most expensive visas in the world.
Despite the high cost, the queue is far shorter than non-contributory visas. As at 30 April 2026, the Department had released Subclass 143 applications with a queue date up to November 2018 — roughly a 7–8 year queue from lodgement to release, with additional processing time after that. Total realistic wait is around 12–15 years from today.
Subclass 173: Two-Step Pathway to Spread Costs
Many families use the Subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa as a first step. This allows the parent to live in Australia for up to two years while the Subclass 143 application is processed. Crucially, it allows families to spread the cost over several years — paying the lower first instalment upfront and the larger second instalment later when the permanent visa is granted.
Subclass 864 and 884: For Parents of Age Pension Age
The Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent) and its temporary pathway the Subclass 884 are for parents who are onshore in Australia and have reached Age Pension age (generally 67+). The Subclass 864 typically has a shorter queue than the 143 — approximately 5–6 years — because it is a smaller, more targeted pool of applicants.
Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 870)
The Fastest Option for Family Reunification
If your family needs to be together sooner rather than later, the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa is the most practical solution. It can be granted within months, allows parents to stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years per visa, and can be renewed up to a cumulative maximum of 10 years.
Up to 15,000 of these visas are granted each year, making it far more accessible than permanent parent visas. Key features include:
- No Balance of Family Test required
- No Assurance of Support bond required
- Your Australian child must first be approved as a Parent Sponsor
- No work rights on this visa
- Cannot be used as a direct pathway to permanent residency
- Cost: approximately AUD 6,370 for a 3-year visa or AUD 12,440 for a 5-year visa
The Subclass 870 is ideal for parents who are younger, cannot pass the Balance of Family Test, or simply want to spend extended time with their Australian family without committing to the permanent visa process.
Eligibility Requirements: What Every Applicant Must Meet
Core Requirements (Most Permanent Parent Visas)
- Sponsor: Your child (or their partner in some cases) must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who has lived in Australia for at least two years.
- Balance of Family Test: At least half of your children and stepchildren must be Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Australia — or more of your children must live in Australia than in any other single country. This applies to Subclasses 103, 143, 173, 804, 864, and 884. It does not apply to the Subclass 870.
- Health requirements: All applicants must undergo a medical examination.
- Character requirements: Police clearances from all countries lived in for 12 months or more are required.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): Required for permanent parent visas. This is a bond paid to the Australian Government — currently around AUD 14,000 for two applicants — which is refunded after 10 years, subject to any deductions for debts owed to the government.
Additional Requirements for Aged Parent Visas (804 and 864)
- The parent must have reached Age Pension age — currently generally 67 years or older depending on exact date of birth.
- The parent must be physically present in Australia at the time of application and grant.
Annual Visa Caps and the Queue System
Australia has operated a cap-and-queue system for parent visas since 2011. Each financial year, the Immigration Minister sets a maximum number of parent visas that can be granted. For 2025–26, the allocations are:
- 6,800 Contributory Parent visa places
- 1,700 non-Contributory Parent visa places
- 500 Other Family visa places
Once the annual cap is reached, no further visas are granted until the next program year begins on 1 July. This is why queue dates matter — the Department works through lodgements in date order, releasing batches as places become available each year.
How COVID-19 Made the Backlog Worse
During the pandemic, Australia’s borders were closed and the government slashed the parent visa planning level to just 4,500 places per year — roughly half the usual allocation — while simultaneously receiving higher-than-normal application volumes. The result was a significant worsening of the backlog. Applicants who lodged before the pandemic now face longer waits than originally anticipated, and those who lodged after the pandemic may face waits of 12 or more years even for contributory visas.
Costs Summary: What You Should Budget
Parent visa costs in Australia are among the highest of any visa category globally. Here is a practical summary of what to budget:
- Subclass 103 / 804 (non-contributory): Approximately AUD 7,345–8,665 per main applicant in government fees (two instalments). Lower cost, but the 30+ year queue makes this a very long-term investment.
- Subclass 143 / 864 (contributory permanent): Approximately AUD 48,000–49,900+ per main applicant. This is the primary cost driver for most families pursuing permanent residency.
- Subclass 173 / 884 (contributory temporary, two-step): Lower first instalment, with the balance paid when transitioning to the permanent visa. Useful for spreading the financial burden.
- Subclass 870 (sponsored temporary): AUD 6,370 (3 years) or AUD 12,440 (5 years). No AoS bond required.
- Assurance of Support bond: Approximately AUD 14,000 for two applicants on permanent parent visas. Refunded after 10 years.
- Migration agent fees: Budget an additional AUD 3,000–8,000+ for professional advice and application assistance, depending on complexity.
Visa Application Charges (VACs) are reviewed and typically increased on 1 July each year. Always confirm current fees on the official Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.
Which Parent Visa Is Right for Your Family?
Choosing the right visa depends on your timeline, budget, the parent’s age, and whether you need permanent residency or simply want to spend more time together.
| Your Situation | Best Option(s) |
|---|---|
| Want permanent residency and can afford high fees | Subclass 143 or 864 |
| Parent is 67+ and already in Australia | Subclass 804 or 864 |
| Want permanent residency but need to spread costs | Subclass 173 → 143 two-step pathway |
| Want cheaper fees and willing to wait decades | Subclass 103 or 804 |
| Want to spend time together without committing to PR | Subclass 870 (Sponsored Temporary) |
| Parent cannot pass Balance of Family Test | Subclass 870 only |
| Parent is younger than pension age and offshore | Subclass 103, 143, or 173 |
How to Apply: The General Process
- Check eligibility: Confirm your child qualifies as a sponsor and that you meet the Balance of Family Test (if applicable).
- Gather documents: Birth certificates, proof of your child’s Australian status, police clearances, identity documents, and evidence of family relationships.
- Lodge online: All applications are now generally lodged online via ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Pay the first instalment: The Visa Application Charge is paid at lodgement.
- Health examinations: Complete required medical checks through an approved panel physician.
- Wait in the queue: For permanent visas, your application is placed in the queue based on your lodgement date.
- Assurance of Support: Arrange the AoS bond when requested by the Department (usually closer to decision time).
- Pay the second instalment: For contributory and non-contributory permanent visas, the second instalment is payable before the visa is granted.
- Visa grant: Once granted, travel to Australia and activate your visa.
Related Australian Visa Pathways
If you are exploring Australian migration options more broadly, you may also be interested in other family and skilled visa pathways. For partners of Australian citizens or residents, see our detailed guide: How to Get a Partner Visa in Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide. For those considering skilled migration to regional Australia, our Australian Skilled Visa Subclass 491 guide covers the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa in full detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in Australia on a parent visa?
Permanent parent visa holders (Subclasses 103, 143, 804, and 864) have full work rights in Australia. Holders of the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary visa do not have work rights. Holders of the temporary Subclass 173 and 884 visas generally have work rights while in Australia awaiting their permanent visa.
Does the parent visa give access to Medicare?
Permanent parent visa holders are eligible for Medicare, Australia’s public health insurance scheme. Temporary visa holders, including Subclass 870 holders, are generally not eligible for Medicare unless covered by a reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and their home country.
Can I include my spouse in a parent visa application?
Yes. A spouse or de facto partner can generally be included as a secondary applicant in a parent visa application, provided they also meet health and character requirements. Additional application fees apply for secondary applicants.
What happens if my child’s circumstances change after I apply?
If your sponsoring child ceases to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or passes away, your application may still be considered in some circumstances. You should seek advice from a registered migration agent (MARA) if your situation changes after lodgement.
Can I apply for a parent visa if I fail the Balance of Family Test?
No — you cannot apply for permanent parent visas (103, 143, 804, 864, 173, 884) if you fail the Balance of Family Test. However, you can still apply for the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary visa, which does not require the Balance of Family Test.
Important Disclaimer
Immigration rules, fees, and processing times change frequently. All figures in this article are indicative only, based on information available at the time of writing. Before lodging any application, verify current details — including Visa Application Charges, queue release dates, and eligibility criteria — directly with the Department of Home Affairs parent visa processing page. For personalised advice, consult a registered migration agent (MARA) or immigration lawyer.