Australian Parent Visas
Bring Your Parents to Australia
Australia offers several Parent visa options for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens.
Depending on the parent’s age, location, financial circumstances and migration history, options may include permanent, temporary, contributory and onshore Parent visas.
Choosing the correct Parent visa is important because processing times, government charges, eligibility requirements and the ability to remain in Australia during processing can vary significantly between visa subclasses.
Parent Visa — Subclass 103
The Parent Visa Subclass 103 is a permanent visa for eligible parents.
It generally has lower government charges than the Contributory Parent visa pathways, but processing times are substantially longer.
The current estimated processing period for new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications is approximately 33 years.
Key requirements may include:
- An eligible and settled child in Australia
• An eligible sponsor
• Satisfying the Balance of Family Test
• Health and character requirements
• An Assurance of Support at the relevant stage
A Subclass 103 application may be lodged while the parent is inside or outside Australia. However, lodging this visa while in Australia does not ordinarily provide a Bridging Visa merely because the Parent visa application has been lodged.
Contributory Parent Visa — Subclass 143
The Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 provides permanent residence for eligible parents.
Government charges are significantly higher than for the Subclass 103 visa, but the processing period is generally shorter.
The current estimated processing period for new Contributory Parent applications is approximately 15 years.
Applicants may apply directly for the Subclass 143 visa or progress from the temporary Subclass 173 visa.
Typical requirements include:
- Eligible sponsorship
• Balance of Family Test
• Health and character requirements
• Assurance of Support
Contributory Parent Temporary Visa — Subclass 173
The Subclass 173 Contributory Parent Visa is a temporary visa generally valid for up to two years.
It allows eligible parents to divide the substantial Contributory Parent visa costs across two stages.
After obtaining a Subclass 173 visa, an eligible applicant may apply for the permanent Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa.
Lodging a Subclass 173 application while in Australia does not ordinarily result in the grant of a Bridging Visa.
Onshore Parent Visas Australia
Parents who have reached the relevant Australian Age Pension age and are already in Australia may be eligible for one of the Aged Parent visa pathways.
These visas are particularly important because eligible applicants may be able to lodge their application while in Australia and, in appropriate circumstances, remain lawfully in Australia on a Bridging Visa while their application is being processed.
Aged Parent Visa — Subclass 804
The Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 is a permanent onshore Parent visa for eligible older parents.
The applicant must generally meet the applicable Age Pension age requirement and be in Australia when the application is lodged and when the visa is decided.
A valid onshore application may generally result in a Bridging Visa becoming available once the applicant’s existing substantive visa expires.
However, processing times are extremely long. New Parent and Aged Parent applications currently have an estimated processing period of approximately 33 years.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa — Subclass 864
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 is a permanent onshore visa for eligible aged parents.
It generally involves significantly higher government charges than the Subclass 804 visa but falls within the Contributory Parent category, which currently has a shorter estimated processing period.
Eligible applicants may apply directly for the Subclass 864 visa or progress from the temporary Subclass 884 visa.
A valid onshore application may also allow the applicant to remain lawfully in Australia on a Bridging Visa after their existing substantive visa expires.
Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa — Subclass 884
The Subclass 884 Contributory Aged Parent Visa is a temporary onshore Parent visa, generally valid for up to two years.
It may provide a two-stage pathway to the permanent Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa.
Applicants must generally meet the relevant Age Pension age requirement and be in Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
Eligible applicants who lodge a valid application in Australia may generally be able to remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa while the application is being processed.
Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa — Subclass 870
The Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa Subclass 870 allows eligible parents to spend an extended period with their family in Australia without obtaining permanent residence.
An eligible child or other qualifying person must first be approved as a Parent Sponsor.
The visa may be granted for:
- Up to 3 years, or
• Up to 5 years
Parents may generally hold Sponsored Parent visas for a maximum cumulative period of 10 years.
The Subclass 870 visa is temporary and does not provide a direct pathway to Australian permanent residence or citizenship.
It can nevertheless be an attractive option for families wanting their parents to spend extended periods in Australia without waiting decades for a permanent Parent visa.
Which Australian Parent Visa Is Right for You?
The most suitable Parent visa depends on your individual circumstances.
Parents who meet the relevant age requirement and are already in Australia may be able to consider:
- Subclass 804 — Aged Parent Visa
• Subclass 864 — Contributory Aged Parent Visa
• Subclass 884 — Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa
Other parents may consider:
- Subclass 103 — Parent Visa
• Subclass 143 — Contributory Parent Visa
• Subclass 173 — Contributory Parent Temporary Visa
Families seeking a longer temporary stay rather than permanent residence may consider:
- Subclass 870 — Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa
Important Parent Visa Requirements
Parent visa eligibility may depend on:
- The sponsoring child’s Australian citizenship or residency status
• Whether the sponsoring child is considered settled in Australia
• The Balance of Family Test
• The parent’s age
• The parent’s current visa and visa conditions
• Any No Further Stay condition
• Previous immigration history
• Health and character requirements
• Assurance of Support requirements
• Sponsorship requirements
• Applicable legislative restrictions
Being physically present in Australia does not automatically mean that a parent can lodge a valid onshore Parent visa application.
The parent’s current visa conditions and immigration history should be carefully reviewed before an application is lodged.
Parent Visa Advice and Assistance
Parent visa applications can involve long processing periods, substantial government charges and important strategic decisions.
Selecting the wrong pathway may affect the parent’s ability to remain in Australia, obtain a Bridging Visa or pursue other visa options in the future.
Falcon Immigration & Visa Services can assess your circumstances, identify the available Parent visa pathways and assist with the preparation and lodgement of your application.
Information reviewed: August 2026.
Australian migration laws, visa charges, processing estimates and eligibility requirements may change. Current requirements should always be checked before an application is lodged.