Currently, there are six sub-classes of parent visas available for Australian citizens or Permanent residents who wish to bring their parents to live in Australia. These sub-classes are further divided into two categories, namely contributory and non-contributory parent visas.

Non-contributory parent visas have a a much lower visa application charge, but a much longer processing time. The Non-contributory parent visa subclasses are:

  • The parent visa (subclass 103)
  • The aged parent visa (subclass 804)

These visas currently have a 30+ year processing time estimate due to the “cap and queue” restrictions which limit the number of places allocated to each program year.

The contributory parent visas have a much shorter processing times, but a much higher visa application charge. The contributory parent visa subclasses are:

  • The temporary visa (subclass 173), or the permanent visa (subclass 143), available to parents of any age.
  • The temporary visa (subclass 884), and permanent visa (subclass 864), available to those of pension age.

A contributory parent temporary visa allows parents to live in Australia for at least two years. These visas cannot be extended or renewed.

However, if the applicant wishes to extend their stay period in Australia, they can apply for contributory parent permanent visas within two years of living in Australia. This option may help to stagger the costs of the visa fees into manageable amounts.

Sponsors

You will need to have a sponsor to apply for a parent category visa to live in Australia as a temporary or permanent resident.

A sponsor must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who:

  • is 18 years of age or over
  • has lived in Australia lawfully for at least two years before the parent lodges their visa application.

There are special provisions for a sponsor under 18 years of age.

Balance of family test

All applicants for a parent visa must meet the balance of family test.

The balance of family test is designed to determine the extent of your links to Australia.

You meet the balance of family test if:

  • at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or
  • more of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other country.

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary)Visa (subclass 870) 

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 870) option came to operation from 1 July 2019. The Subclass 870 visa is a temporary visa which allows a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to visit Australia for up to three (3) or five (5) years. This visa is temporary only and does not provide a pathway for permanent residency through a parent visa. 

The parent needs to be sponsored by a child who has been settled in Australia and is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen for at least 4 years and has a minimum household taxable income. Sponsors must also agree to comply with sponsorship obligations in relation to the parent(s) they are sponsoring. The applicants are not required to meet the ‘balance of family’ test.