Eligibility Check
Review whether this permanent parent pathway suits your family circumstances before you commit to the application.
Permanent Parent Visa · Subclass 143
Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143
The Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 allows eligible parents to settle permanently in Australia with a qualifying settled child.
Compared with the non-contributory Parent Visa 103, this pathway has a significantly higher government charge but currently has a shorter estimated processing period. After grant, parents become Australian permanent residents.
Estimated processing
Around 15 years
Applications are subject to capping and queueing
Only a limited number can be granted each migration program year.
Parent Visa Support
How We Can Help
Family Test Review
Check your children and stepchildren against the Balance of Family Test.
Sponsor Support
Review your child’s status, settlement in Australia and sponsorship evidence.
Application Lodgement
Prepare and lodge the application through ImmiAccount.
Document Review
Check identity, relationship, sponsorship and family evidence before submission.
Queue Guidance
Assist with Home Affairs requests and changes during the lengthy processing period.
Subclass 143
Overview
| Feature | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent |
| Parent age requirement | No pension-age threshold |
| Sponsorship | Required |
| Balance of Family Test | Required |
| Assurance of Support | Required before grant |
| AoS period | 10 years |
| Application method | Online through ImmiAccount |
| Visa cost | From AUD 49,900 for one standard applicant |
| Estimated processing | Around 15 years for new contributory parent applications |
| Travel facility | 5 years |
Core Requirements
Requirements
To qualify under the standard pathway, you generally need to:
- Have an eligible settled child in Australia
- Have an approved sponsor
- Pass the Balance of Family Test
- Meet Assurance of Support requirements
- Meet health and character requirements
- Meet applicable Australian Government debt requirements
There is no pension-age requirement for this visa.
You cannot proceed with this pathway if you have already lodged an application for, or currently hold, a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Subclass 870 visa.
Who Can Sponsor?
The sponsor is usually the applicant’s child and must generally be:
- 18 years or older
- Settled and living in Australia
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident, or meet the eligible New Zealand citizen criteria
Home Affairs generally considers around two years of lawful residence when assessing whether a child is settled, although individual circumstances can affect this.
If the child is under 18, an eligible relative, guardian or community organisation may be able to provide sponsorship instead.
The sponsorship process includes Form 40 – Sponsorship for Migration to Australia.
Mandatory Test
Balance of Family Test
The Balance of Family Test is mandatory for standard applicants and cannot be waived.
At least half of your children and stepchildren are eligible children; or
You have more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country
An eligible child generally holds Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or meets the eligible New Zealand citizen criteria, and usually lives in Australia.
Children, stepchildren and adopted children may be counted when assessing the test.
Before Grant
Assurance of Support
An Assurance of Support (AoS) provides financial security so the applicant does not rely on certain Australian Government income-support payments during the AoS period.
The sponsor and the person providing the AoS do not have to be the same person.
The 10-year period begins from the later of the visa grant date or the applicant’s arrival in Australia.
Government Charge & Other Costs
Cost
Approximately AUD 49,900
The current starting government charge is approximately AUD 49,900 for one standard applicant, paid across two instalments.
First InstalmentPaid when the application is lodged.
Second InstalmentA much larger contribution is requested later, before the visa can be granted.
Additional charges apply when other eligible family members are included.
You should also budget for:
- Assurance of Support bank guarantee
- Health examinations
- Police certificates
- Biometrics, if required
- Document translations
- Professional migration assistance
From 1 July 2026, reduced visa charges may apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Always confirm the current Home Affairs visa charge before lodging, as fees can change.
Queue & Processing
Processing Time
Home Affairs currently estimates around 15 years for new contributory parent applications.
Applications are subject to capping and queueing, meaning only a limited number can be granted each migration program year.
A queue date is assigned after Home Affairs assesses the application against the relevant core criteria.
Processing estimates are not guaranteed and may change with migration planning levels, application numbers and individual circumstances.
Current Queue Position
As at 31 May 2026:
01
New applications were being acknowledged in approximately 4 weeks
02
Queue assessment had reached applications lodged around November 2023
03
Applications with queue dates up to November 2018 had been released for final processing
Application Process
How to Apply
Since 22 April 2026, new applications under this pathway are generally lodged online through ImmiAccount.
Check Eligibility
Confirm sponsorship and the Balance of Family Test before paying the application charge.
Prepare Documents
Gather identity, parent-child relationship, sponsor and family evidence.
Lodge Online
Complete the application through ImmiAccount and pay the first instalment.
Queue Assessment
Home Affairs assesses the core requirements and assigns a queue date where the application qualifies.
Final Requirements
When the application is released for processing, complete updated health, character and Assurance of Support requirements.
Finalise the Visa
Pay the second installment and complete any remaining Home Affairs requests before a decision.
Keep your passport, contact details and family circumstances updated while the application remains in the queue.
You may need:
- Passport and birth certificate
- Sponsor’s status and relationship evidence
- Form 40 sponsorship documents
- Balance of Family Test evidence
- Partner or dependant documents, if applicable
- Health and police checks when requested
- Assurance of Support documents at the later stage
Exact documents depend on your circumstances.
Can You Apply From Australia?
You may be able to lodge while in Australia if no visa condition or other migration restriction prevents you from applying.
Standard direct applicants generally need to be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
For example, a No Further Stay condition or certain previous visa refusals may affect your ability to apply while onshore.
Different rules can apply to certain Subclass 173 holders and other limited categories.
Compare Parent Pathways
How Does It Compare With Parent Visa 103?
| Feature | Contributory Pathway | Parent Visa 103 |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent | Permanent |
| Current starting cost | Around AUD 49,900 | From AUD 8,665 |
| Current estimated processing | Around 15 years | Around 33 years |
| Assurance of Support | 10 years | 4 years |
| Main difference | Higher cost, shorter current wait | Lower cost, longer current wait |
After Grant
Benefits After Grant
The visa provides permanent residency, allowing parents to:
Live in Australia indefinitely
Work and study
Enrol in Medicare
Sponsor eligible family members
Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
Travel in and out of Australia during the five-year travel facility
After the initial five-year travel facility expires, a Resident Return Visa may be required for future overseas travel if you have not become an Australian citizen.
Think Higher Consultants
Why Choose Think Higher Consultants?
Registered Agent
Guidance from Aneel Khowaja, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1571699.
11+ Years
More than 11 years of experience in Australian migration.
Clear Advice
Understand costs, eligibility, queueing and long-term implications before applying.
Ongoing Guidance
Support with Home Affairs requests and changes throughout the application process.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this parent visa cost?
The current starting charge is approximately AUD 49,900 for one standard applicant and is paid in two instalments. Always check current Home Affairs pricing before applying.
How long does the application take?
Home Affairs currently estimates around 15 years for new contributory parent applications. Actual processing can vary because applications are capped and queued.
What is the Balance of Family Test?
You generally pass if at least half of your children and stepchildren are eligible children in Australia, or if more eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country. The test cannot generally be waived.
Can I move from Parent Visa 103 to the contributory pathway?
It may be possible to move from a pending Subclass 103 pathway to a contributory Parent visa. Home Affairs indicates that the original 103 application date may be taken into account, subject to the applicable requirements.
Can a migration agent assist?
Yes. A registered migration agent can assess eligibility, review sponsorship and the Balance of Family Test, prepare the application and assist with Home Affairs requirements.
Parent Visa Enquiry
Get Help With Your Parent Visa
The higher government contribution and long queue make it important to understand the costs and eligibility requirements before lodging.
Think Higher Consultants can assess your circumstances and guide you from initial eligibility review through to lodgement and ongoing processing.
Book a consultation with Think Higher Consultants to discuss your parent visa options.