How to bring Parents to Australia?

Have you migrated to Australia and dreamed of bringing your parents to join you? Australia’s Parent Visa options provide a pathway for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reunite with their families in Down Under.

These visas allow parents to live, work, or visit Australia for extended periods and even permanently, offering a way to strengthen family connections while meeting the eligibility requirements.

Parent visas fall into two primary categories:

1. Aged vs. Non-Aged Parent Visas
2. Contributory vs. Non-Contributory Parent Visas

Let’s explore what these terms mean and how they connect to the available visa subclasses.

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand these distinctions:

Aged vs. Non-Aged Parent Visas

Aged Parent Visas

Eligibility: Applicants must be old enough to qualify for an Australian-age pension. This age varies depending on the applicant’s birth year.

Key Features:

•  Aged Parent Visa options (e.g., Subclasses 804, 884, and 864) allow applicants to apply while onshore in Australia.
• Applicants can remain in Australia on a bridging visa during processing, offering flexibility for aged parents already in the country.

Non-Aged Parent Visas

Eligibility: No age restriction; applicable to parents of any age.

Key Features:

• Non-Aged Parent Visa options (e.g., Subclasses 103, 173, and 143) generally require the applicant to apply offshore.
• Longer processing times compared to aged parent visas.

Example:

Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is onshore, while the Parent Visa (Subclass 103) is offshore. Both require the balance-of-family test but cater to different age groups.

Contributory vs. Non-Contributory Visas

• Contributory Parent Visas: Require a significant financial contribution, ensuring faster processing times (2–4 years).
• Non-Contributory Parent Visas: More affordable but with extremely long processing times (20–30 years).

Parent Visa Subclasses

Permanent Parent Visas

1. Subclass 143: Contributory Parent Visa
   Allows parents to migrate permanently to Australia.
   • Eligibility: Must meet the balance-of-family test (at least half your children must live in Australia).
   • Cost: Approximately AUD48,495.00

2. Subclass 864: Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Onshore)
   Permanent visa for aged parents applying within Australia.
   • Eligibility: Must meet the pension age and balance-of-family test.
   • Cost: Approximately AUD48,495.00

3. Subclass 103: Parent Visa
   A more affordable permanent visa option.
   • Eligibility: Must meet the balance-of-family test (at least half your children must live in Australia).
   • Cost: AUD 7,190.00

4. Subclass 804: Aged Parent Visa (Onshore)
   For aged parents who meet pension requirements.
   • Cost: AUD 7,190.00

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Temporary Parent Visas

1. Subclass 173: Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary Offshore)
   A stepping stone to the Subclass 143 visa.
   • Cost: Approximately AUD 4,895 (split between 173 and subsequent 143 visa fees).
   • Duration: 2 years, after which parents must transition to a permanent visa.
     
2. Subclass 884: Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa
   Transition to 864 within 2 years
   
3. • Cost: From AUD34,025.00
   • Duration: 2 years, after which parents must transition to a permanent visa

      3.  Subclass 870: Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
          Allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3-5 years per grant, renewable for a total of 10 years.

• • Cost: Temporary up to 3 years – The second instalment (payable before grant of visa): AUD5,895
              Temporary up to 5 years – The second instalment (payable before grant of visa): AUD11,785
  • Eligibility: No balance-of-family test is required, but the sponsor must meet income requirements (AUD 83,454.80 annually).

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Key Requirements for All Parent Visas

 

1. Relationship Proof: Must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor.
2. Balance-of-Family Test: At least half of your children must live in Australia, or more of your children must live in Australia than in any other country.
3. Health and Character Requirements: Medical exams and police clearances are mandatory.
4. Sponsorship: The child (or sponsor) must agree to support the parent financially and provide accommodation for the initial years in Australia.

Processing Times

New visa applications

If you submit a new application, the processing time will vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. These time frames are estimated based on the current annual allocation of visa spots.

Processing times for new applications may differ.

Visa	Processing time frame (estimate)
Contributory Parent visas	14 years
Parent & Aged Parent visas	31 years

 

Age Requirements: Aged vs. Non-Aged Visas

• Aged Parent Visas: Available for parents who are at or above the pension age (currently 67). These visas allow onshore applications, granting a bridging visa for lawful stay during processing.
• Non-Aged Parent Visas: For parents below the pension age. These must be applied for offshore, without the option of bridging visas.

Choosing Between Contributory and Non-Contributory Visas

• Contributory Visas: If you can afford the higher cost and want faster processing, this is the ideal choice.
• Non-Contributory Visas: Suitable for those with limited financial resources but willing to wait several decades for processing.

Why Consider the Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)?

The Subclass 870 visa is unique because it:

• Does not require a balance-of-family test.
• Offers a short-term solution for families not ready to commit to permanent visas.
• Allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 10 years (with renewals) however, it doesn’t provide a pathway to permanent residency.

Eligibility Requirements

• For the Sponsor

The sponsor plays a crucial role in the application process. They must:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Meet a minimum household income threshold (currently AUD 83,454.80 annually).
• Agree to cover any debts incurred by the parent during their stay in Australia.
• Lodge and have an approved sponsorship application before the parent can apply for the visa.

Conclusion

Parent visas offer a wide range of options tailored to different financial capabilities and family needs. Whether you are looking for temporary solutions like the Subclass 870 or long-term commitments through permanent visas, Australia provides a pathway for every family.

How We Can Help

Navigating the visa process can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. From assessing your eligibility to preparing a complete application, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

Need help deciding which visa suits you best? Contact our Family Visa Team today for advice!