What are the Options for Bringing Parents To Australia? | Parent Visas Overview

What is a Parent Visa? 

The Parent visa allows you to sponsor your parent(s) to live in Australia, offering temporary and permanent residence (PR) options.

Do I need a Sponsor? What are the Sponsorship Requirements? 

Yes, typically, the applicant's children will be the nominated sponsor the applicant. As a sponsor, you must: 

• Be aged 18 years or over. 

• Have resided in Australia for at least two years before lodging the application.

• Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizens.

What are the Visa Applicant Requirements? 

The visa applicant (your parent) must: 

• Meet the Balance of Family test, meaning at least half of their children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. The child must usually reside in Australia in some circumstances. 

• Fulfil health and character requirements to qualify for the visa grant. 

For permanent residence visas, your parent must also have an Assurance of Support (AOS), which is a legal commitment to provide financial support and ensure the applicant does not need to rely on social security payments. 

What are the Current Parent Visa Options? 

Temporary Parent Visa Options 

1. Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 173) Visa: Offshore temporary visa valid for 2 years. 

2. Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 884) Visa: Onshore temporary visa valid for 2 years. 

3. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) Visa: Long-term temporary visa allowing a stay of either 3 or 5 years, with a maximum cumulative stay of 10 years. 

 
Permanent Parent Visa Options 

1. Parent (Subclass 103) Visa: Offshore permanent residence visa. 

2. Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) Visa: Permanent residence visa, applicable onshore or offshore. 

3. Aged Parent (Subclass 804) Visa: Onshore permanent residence visa. 

4. Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 864) Visa: Onshore permanent residence visa. 

What are the Processing Times for Parent Visas?

Processing times for parent visas can be varied, with some applications (like Subclass 103 and 804) taking up to 30 years. For faster processing, consider applying for a Contributory visa (Subclass 173, 143, 884, or 864), which typically results in shorter waiting periods but requires a higher application fee. 

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help You?   

The Parent visa subclasses offer various options for sponsoring parents to live in Australia, each with its own requirements and processing times. If you are considering applying for a Parent visa or seeking professional assistance, do not hesitate to contact us. You can book a Migration Planning Session with one of our immigration lawyers to seek professional advice by calling +612 8310 5230 or email us to book a time at info@ahclawyers.com.   

We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.   

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.