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Subclass 103 Parent VisaSubclass 143 Contributory Parent VisaSubclass 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship VisaSubclass 804 Aged Parent VisaSubclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
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Parent Visas

Visa category guide

Parent Visas

Bring your parents to Australia — compare the contributory (143) and non-contributory (103) parent visas, the 870 sponsored temporary visa, and the queue-vs-cost trade-off.

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How to choose

How to Choose a Parent Visa for Australia

Bringing a parent to Australia permanently means choosing between speed and cost. The Contributory Parent (subclass 143) and Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 884 → 143) routes move significantly faster than their non-contributory counterparts but carry substantially higher visa application charges. The Parent (subclass 103) and Aged Parent (subclass 804) visas cost far less but sit in queues that stretch many years — check the latest official figures for current wait estimates. For families who cannot afford to wait, the Sponsored Parent (temporary) subclass 870 offers a bridging solution while a permanent application is considered.

Your first decision is permanence versus immediacy. If your parents are already in Australia and aged 65 or over, the subclass 804 allows an onshore application without leaving — but queue times are long. If your parents are offshore or under the aged threshold, the subclass 143 or subclass 103 are the primary permanent pathways. The 870 sits outside the permanent queue entirely and does not convert to a permanent visa; it buys time, not a permanent outcome.

Cost is the second filter. The contributory visas require payment of a second Visa Application Charge (VAC) at grant — a significant sum that must be budgeted for years in advance. The non-contributory visas avoid that charge but replace it with years of uncertainty. Neither path is objectively better; the right answer depends on your parents' age, health, financial position, and how long they can realistically wait offshore.

For a full breakdown of queue lengths, VAC amounts, balance-of-family calculations, and Assurance of Support requirements, see the Australia Parent Visa Complete Guide: 143 vs 103 vs 870 — Queue, Cost & How to Choose.

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> Note: This page covers the Parent Visa category (subclasses 143, 103, 804, 870). If you arrived here looking for points-tested skilled visas (subclasses 189, 190, 491), those are covered separately under our Skilled Migration category.

Visa TypeQueue / waitGovt costAssurance of Support
143 Contributory Parent (PR) Contributory · permanent~12–15 yr for new lodgements*~AUD 4,990 + VAC2 ~43,600/parent (~94k/couple)*10-yr AoS, ~$30k bond*
103 Parent (PR) Non-contributory · permanent~29–33 yr*Far cheaper than 143*2–4 yr AoS, ~$15k bond*
804 Aged Parent (PR, onshore) Non-contributory · aged · onshoreVery long (like 103)*Lower than 143*2–4 yr AoS*
870 Sponsored Parent (temporary) Temporary (up to 5 yr) · no PRShort (no queue)Sponsorship + visa fee*Sponsor income test*

Costs, queues and AoS as of 2026 (Home Affairs + Services Australia + migration-lawyer summaries); these change and the VAC2 / queue figures are large — always check official figures, never assume. All parent visas require the balance-of-family test.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between contributory (143) and non-contributory (103) parent visas, and which should I choose?
The 143 costs substantially more — including a large second VAC payable at grant — but moves through the queue far faster than the 103. The 103 charges a much lower application fee but involves a wait measured in decades according to current official estimates. Choose 143 if your parents are older or in uncertain health and waiting is not a realistic option. Choose 103 only if cost is prohibitive and your parents are younger and healthy. Check the latest official figures for current queue positions.---
How long is the parent visa queue, really?
Queue lengths are among the most volatile figures in Australian immigration — they shift with application volumes, Budget allocations, and policy changes. The non-contributory 103 queue is publicly acknowledged to be extremely long; the contributory 143 queue is shorter but still measured in years. Do not rely on figures quoted by friends or forums. Check the Department of Home Affairs' current processing time tool and the latest Migration Program planning levels for an accurate picture before lodging.---
How much does the contributory parent visa (143) cost, including the second VAC?
The 143 involves two separate Visa Application Charges: one at lodgement and a significantly larger second VAC payable only when the visa is about to be granted — potentially years later. Both amounts are indexed and change periodically. Budgeting only for the first charge is a common and costly mistake. Check the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount fee schedule for current VAC amounts before lodging, and confirm whether the second VAC must be paid in a lump sum or can be staged.---
What is the balance-of-family test, and do my parents pass it?
The balance-of-family test requires that at least half of your parents' children permanently reside in Australia, or that more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country. It is assessed at application lodgement and again at grant. Adopted children, step-children, and deceased children are counted according to specific rules. If your parents have siblings spread across multiple countries, the test can fail unexpectedly. A registered migration agent should map your full family structure before lodgement.---
What is Assurance of Support, and how much is the bond?
Assurance of Support (AoS) is a formal commitment by an Australian resident or citizen (the assurer) to repay certain welfare payments if the visa holder accesses them within a set period after grant. It is secured by a bank bond lodged with the Department of Social Services. The bond amount varies depending on the visa subclass and whether a secondary applicant is included. Bond amounts are subject to change — check the Department of Social Services website for current figures before planning your finances around an older estimate.---
My parents want to come now — what is the 870 sponsored parent (temporary) visa?
The subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (temporary) visa allows eligible parents to live in Australia for up to three or five years, with the possibility of applying for a further 870. Importantly, it does not lead to permanent residence — it is a standalone temporary visa. The sponsoring child must be an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The 870 suits families who want parents present now while a permanent application or other pathway is being planned or awaited.---
What is the 804 aged parent visa, and who is it for?
The subclass 804 is the onshore, non-contributory permanent parent visa for applicants who are of pension age at time of application. Its key advantage is that parents can lodge while lawfully in Australia and remain onshore (on a bridging visa) for the duration of processing — avoiding the need to return home. The trade-off is an extremely long queue. It suits older parents already in Australia who cannot travel and for whom cost rules out the contributory pathway. Check current queue estimates before deciding.---
Is it worth paying for 143, or should we wait in the 103 queue?
For most families, the 143 is worth the additional cost — particularly if parents are over 60, have health considerations, or simply cannot spend decades in uncertainty. The 103 queue is so long that parents lodging today may be in their 80s before a visa is granted. The higher cost of the 143 is real and must be planned for carefully, but the time saved is substantial. Run the numbers on your parents' age, health, and financial position, then get professional advice before committing.

The visas in this category

5 pathways in this category — explore each in full.

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