The Parent Visa (subclass 103) is intended for parents whose child or children are living in Australia as permanent residents, Australian citizens, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This visa allows parents to permanently migrate to Australia to join their family. However, whether or not an applicant qualifies for this visa depends on several factors, such as the residence status of the sponsoring child, the length of time they have lived in Australia, and the applicant’s ability to meet the balance of family test, as well as health and character requirements.

Due to a long waiting period and a cap on the number of visas issued, the Non-Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 103) is currently unavailable for the next 25 to 30 years. The Contributory Parent Visa is therefore the main option for applicants. Additionally, if the applicant is currently in Australia and eligible for a 103 visa, but their current visa is set to expire, they will not be eligible for a Bridging visa. The 103 visa requires the applicant to be outside of Australia while their application is being processed.

The Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143) is a permanent visa option for parents, which requires a substantial financial contribution of approximately AUD 47,755. Those who are granted this visa are able to live in Australia indefinitely, have the ability to work and study, and can even apply for Australian citizenship.

The Contributory Parent Temporary Visa (subclass 173) is a valid for two years and requires a significant financial contribution of approximately AUD 31,930. The visa holder can work and study in Australia during this time, and after two years, they can apply for a permanent Contributory Parent Visa.



It’s worth noting that while the Contributory Parent Visa has a shorter processing time than the non-contributory, it also comes with a much higher fee. However, there is an option to pay the fee in two instalments, with the first instalment paid at the time of application and the second instalment to be paid when requested by Home Affairs.

The 870 visa is a temporary visa option for parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen sponsor, which allows them to travel to and stay in Australia for a period of up to 3 or 5 years. The applicant has the possibility to apply for additional visas for a maximum of 10 years, but the application must be submitted online within 6 months of sponsorship approval. To apply for this visa, the child of the parent must have an approved Parent Sponsor. The cost for a 3-year visa is approximately $5000 AUD and $10000 AUD for a 5-year visa.

The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 884) is a temporary visa option for aged parents whose child is a permanent resident, Australian citizen, or eligible New Zealand citizen living in Australia. The 884 visa allows the applicant to travel to and live in Australia for a period of up to 2 years, and it cannot be extended. However, those who wish to stay in Australia permanently can apply for the 864 visas before the 884 visa expires. The application fee for this visa is around $33,285 AUD, and it may be a more viable option for those looking to be reunited with their family due to the long waiting times and limited availability of non-contributory visas.

The 864 visa is a permanent residency option for holders of the 884 visa, allowing them to stay in Australia permanently. However, holders of this visa are permitted to travel in and out of Australia for a period of up to 5 years. The 864 visa grants aged parents access to the benefits provided to permanent residents in Australia, such as the Australian Health Care Scheme (Medicare) and the costs for this visa are around $47,755 AUD.