
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and want to bring your parents to live with you in Australia, there are several visa options available. The type of visa your parents will need to apply for depends on whether they are seeking temporary or permanent residency in Australia. For instance, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) permits a period of stay for up to three or five years. However, if your parents are seeking permanent residency, they can apply for the Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (Subclass 864) or the Parent visa (subclass 103). To be eligible, your parents must have a sponsor, meet health and character requirements, and pass the balance of family test.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Parent Migration Visa, Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa, Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) Visa |
| Visa subclass | 870, 864, 103 |
| Visa validity | 3-5 years, 10 years, Indefinite |
| Applicant's child status | Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen |
| Applicant status | Applicant must be a parent, grandparent, or step-parent |
| Applicant age | Applicant must meet age requirements |
| Applicant health | Applicant must meet health and character requirements |
| Balance of family test | At least half of the applicant's children must reside permanently in Australia |
| Sponsor | Applicant must have a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen |
| Visa fee | AUD 4,765 for the main applicant, AUD 1,605 for the dependent partner, AUD 43,600 contributory fee per applicant |
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What You'll Learn

Parent Visa options
There are several Parent Visa options available for Australian permanent residents and citizens to bring their parents to Australia. The choice of which visa to pursue depends on various factors, including whether the parents seek temporary visas to spend time with family in Australia or wish to migrate permanently. Here are some of the Parent Visa options:
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa is a temporary visa that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to visit Australia for up to three or five years. It is an alternative to the visitor visa, which has shorter periods of stay. This visa does not require meeting the 'balance of family' test.
Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 864)
The Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa is available to onshore applicants who meet the age requirement and can cover the full costs of the application upfront. This visa attracts higher charges but is afforded faster processing times. Applicants are granted permanent residency once the visa application is finalised.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The Parent Visa (subclass 103) is a permanent visa that lets parents stay in Australia indefinitely. It is available to parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. For citizenship purposes, the permanent residence period starts on the day the visa is granted.
It is recommended to book an appointment to understand the various visa options and their pros and cons, as the choice of visa depends on individual circumstances and requirements.
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Temporary vs permanent visas
When it comes to applying for a parent visa in Australia, there are several options available, including both temporary and permanent visas. The type of visa one should pursue depends on various factors, including the purpose of the visit, the duration of the stay, and the funds available.
Temporary Visas
Temporary visas are a good option for those who wish to spend time with family in Australia for an extended period, such as after the birth of a grandchild. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is a popular choice for this purpose. This visa allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years. It is important to note that a subclass 870 visa does not require meeting the 'balance of family' test, which mandates that at least half of the applicant's children reside in Australia. Additionally, this visa does not require a sponsor, making it a more accessible option for some.
Permanent Visas
Permanent visas, on the other hand, are suitable for those seeking to migrate to Australia long-term. The Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (subclass 864) is one such option. This visa is available to onshore applicants who meet the age requirement and can cover the full costs of the application upfront. Applicants are granted permanent residency once the visa application is finalized. However, it is important to note that these visas attract higher charges and can take up to 12 years to process.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
For those who enter Australia on a temporary visa, there are pathways to eventually obtain permanent residency. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a popular option for students, as it allows them to gain work experience in their nominated occupation and meet residency requirements. After obtaining this visa, individuals can pursue permanent residency through skilled migration or employer sponsorship, depending on their qualifications and skills.
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Visa requirements
To apply for permanent residency in Australia for your parents, you must first meet the visa requirements. The visa requirements for parents depend on the subclass of parent visa you apply for. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is a temporary visa that allows parents to visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years. To be eligible, you must have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Additionally, your child must have been living lawfully in Australia for the last 2 years before your visa allocation was lodged.
Another option is the Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (Subclass 864), which is available to onshore applicants who meet the age requirement and can cover the full costs upfront. This visa provides permanent residency once finalized, but it can take up to 12 years to process.
For those seeking a temporary visa, the subclass 870 visa is a good option as it permits a longer stay than a visitor visa. However, if you are seeking permanent residency for your parents, you should consider the Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa or the Parent visa (subclass 103).
Regardless of the visa subclass, you must have a sponsor to apply for a parent category visa. The sponsor can be the child or the child's spouse/de facto partner who is an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Additionally, you must meet health and character requirements and pass the balance of family test, which requires that at least half of your children reside in Australia.
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Visa fees
The visa fees for applying for permanent residency in Australia for parents vary depending on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the applicant. Here is an overview of the visa fees mentioned in the sources:
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 864)
The Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa is available for onshore applicants who meet the age requirement and can cover the full costs upfront. This visa attracts higher Government Lodging Fees (GLFs) as applicants are required to pay a second Visa Application Charge. The exact fees for this visa are not explicitly stated in the sources.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa is a more recent option that allows parents to visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years. The visa application fee for this type of visa is $4,765 for the main applicant and $1,605 for the dependent partner. Additionally, there is a contributory fee of $43,600 per applicant that must be paid before the visa is granted.
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Fee
If your parent visa application is refused, you may be able to appeal the decision through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The AAT charges a fee of $3,496 for an appeal.
It is important to note that visa fees may change over time, and there could be additional costs or surcharges depending on the specific circumstances of the application. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to official government websites or consult with registered migration agents or immigration lawyers for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa fees and requirements.
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Visa processing times
The processing time for a parent visa application to be approved depends on the subclass of the visa and the circumstances of the applicant.
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) is the temporary version of the Contributory Parent visa. It allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia for two years. The current waiting time for this visa is between 5 and 6 years.
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) is another option for parents seeking temporary visas to spend time with their family in Australia. This visa permits a period of stay for up to three or five years.
The Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (Subclass 864) is available to onshore applicants who meet the age requirement (67+) and can cover the full costs of the application upfront. The current waiting time for this visa is between 5 and 6 years. However, it attracts higher GLFs (with applicants required to pay a second Visa Application Charge) but is afforded faster processing times by the Department of Home Affairs. While these visas are currently taking up to 12 years to process, it is still relatively shorter than the current processing times for the non-contributory visa subclasses.
The Contributory Parent (Permanent) visa (Subclass 143) is the permanent version of the Contributory Parent visa. It allows a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to Australia permanently. The current waiting time for this visa is between 5 and 6 years.
It is important to note that the processing times for parent visas can vary depending on various factors, and individuals are advised to seek up-to-date information from official sources or immigration specialists.
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Frequently asked questions
The purpose of a Parent Visa is to allow the parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate permanently to Australia.
There are several types of Parent Visas, including the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), the Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (subclass 864), and the Parent visa (subclass 103).
The requirements for a Parent Visa include having a sponsor, meeting health and character requirements, and passing the balance of family test, which requires that at least half of the parent's children reside permanently in Australia.
The visa application fee for a contributory parent visa is $4,765 for the main applicant and $1,605 for the dependent partner. There is also a contributory fee of $43,600 per applicant that must be paid prior to the granting of the visa.
You can apply for a Parent Visa by booking an appointment to discuss your specific circumstances and the pros and cons of each visa option. You can also contact a migration agent or immigration lawyer for assistance with your application.











































