For many Australian citizens and permanent residents, one of the most important immigration goals is reuniting with their parents in Australia. Whether your parents are overseas and looking to spend more time with family, help care for grandchildren, or retire closer to loved ones, Australia offers a number of parent visa options.
However, choosing the right visa can be challenging. Parent visas differ significantly in terms of cost, waiting periods, eligibility requirements and whether they provide a temporary or permanent pathway.
At Nevett Ford Lawyers, we regularly assist families to identify the most suitable parent visa strategy and guide them through the often complex application process.
What Parent Visa Options Are Available?
Australia currently offers a range of temporary and permanent visa options for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens
The most commonly utilised parent visas include:
- Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa
- Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa
- Subclass 103 Parent visa
- Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent visa
- Subclass 804 Aged Parent visa
- Subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa
The best option depends on a family’s priorities, budget, and long-term migration objectives.
Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa
The Subclass 870 visa is often the quickest way for parents to spend extended time in Australia. It allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a maximum cumulative stay of 10 years.
Key benefits
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- Relatively fast processing compared to permanent parent visas.
- No Balance of Family Test.
- No Assurance of Support bond requirement.
- Parents can spend substantial time in Australia with family.
Things to consider
- It is a temporary visa only.
- It does not lead directly to permanent residence.
- Parents cannot work in Australia.
- An approved parent sponsor is required before the visa application can be lodged.
For many families, the 870 visa is an excellent short-to-medium term solution while considering longer-term migration options.
Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa
The Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa is one of the most popular permanent parent visas.
Unlike the Subclass 870 visa, it grants permanent residence, allowing parents to live in Australia indefinitely and eventually become eligible for Australian citizenship if they meet the relevant requirements.
Key benefits
- Permanent residence from grant.
- Access to Medicare.
- Ability to live in Australia indefinitely.
- Potential pathway to Australian citizenship.
Things to consider
- Significant government charges apply.
- An Assurance of Support is generally required.
- Processing can still take several years.
For families seeking a permanent solution and who are able to meet the financial requirements, the 143 visa is often the preferred pathway.
Subclass 103 Parent Visa
The Subclass 103 Parent visa is also a permanent residence visa but operates very differently from the contributory pathways.
The government charges are substantially lower than for contributory parent visas. However, demand significantly exceeds available places, resulting in very long waiting periods.
Key benefits
- Lower government fees.
- Permanent residence outcome.
Things to consider
- Very lengthy queues.
- Often not a practical solution for older applicants who wish to migrate within a reasonable timeframe.
Aged Parent Visas
Parents who are old enough to qualify as an “aged parent” under Australian migration law may have additional options available.
These include:
- Subclass 804 Aged Parent visa
- Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent visa
- Subclass 884 Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa
One major advantage of aged parent visas is that they can generally be lodged while the parent is in Australia, provided eligibility requirements are met.
Whether these visas are suitable depends on factors such as the parent’s age, current visa status and long-term migration goals.
The Balance of Family Test
Most permanent Australian parent visas require applicants to satisfy the Balance of Family Test.
Broadly speaking, the applicant must show either:
- At least half of their children live permanently in Australia; or
- More of their children live in Australia than in any other single country.
This is often one of the most important eligibility issues in parent visa applications and should be assessed carefully before lodging an application.
Common Questions We Receive
Can my parents remain in Australia permanently?
Potentially yes. Permanent parent visa options such as the Subclass 143, 103, 804 and 864 can provide permanent residence if eligibility requirements are met.
Is the Subclass 870 visa a pathway to permanent residence?
No. The Subclass 870 is a temporary visa and does not itself provide a pathway to permanent residence.
What if my parents are already in Australia?
Depending on their age and current visa conditions, onshore options such as the Aged Parent visa pathways may be available. Professional advice should be obtained before lodging any application.
Which option is best?
There is no single “best” parent visa. The most appropriate strategy depends on:
- Your family’s budget;
- Whether permanent residence is the objective;
- Your parents’ age;
- Whether your parents are currently in Australia;
- The urgency of family reunification; and
- Long-term migration planning.
How Nevett Ford Lawyers Can Help
Parent visa planning is often more complex than families initially expect. Choosing the wrong pathway can result in unnecessary costs, lengthy delays or missed opportunities.
Our migration lawyers assist clients with:
- Assessing eligibility for all parent visa options;
- Balance of Family Test assessments;
- Parent sponsorship applications;
- Subclass 870 visa applications;
- Permanent parent visa applications;
- Ministerial intervention and compassionate circumstances requests;
- Bridging visa advice; and
- Strategic long-term family migration planning.
Every family’s circumstances are different. Obtaining tailored advice at an early stage can help ensure you choose the pathway that best meets your family’s goals.
Contact Nevett Ford Lawyers
If you would like advice regarding Australian parent visas, contact the migration lawyers at Nevett Ford Lawyers for a tailored assessment of your family’s circumstances and the options available to bring your parents to Australia.
