Check eligibility
Confirm the pathway before treating a queue date as relevant.
Parent Visas Australia
Compare permanent, contributory, aged and temporary sponsored Parent pathways before deciding how the family will manage eligibility, time, cost and travel.
MARN 2519006 Reviewed 21 July 2026 Home Affairs sources
2026 lodgement change: Home Affairs states that new subclasses 103, 143, 804 and 864 applications lodged from 22 April 2026 must be submitted online using ImmiAccount. Temporary contributory Parent applications continue under their stated process. Check the current application page before lodging.
Compare the main Parent visa groups
There is no single best Parent visa. The family must compare eligibility, applicant location and age, waiting arrangements, visa contribution, sponsorship and intended stay.
| Visa group | Subclasses | Applicant setting | Outcome | Important checks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 103 | Generally offshore | Permanent | Balance-of-family test, sponsor, Assurance of Support and a long queue. |
| Aged Parent | 804 | Onshore pathway with age and location rules | Permanent | Age threshold, valid onshore application, balance-of-family, sponsor, Assurance of Support and queue. |
| Contributory Parent | 143 / 173 | Generally offshore | Permanent or temporary first stage | Higher contribution, stage timing, balance-of-family, sponsor and Assurance of Support. |
| Contributory Aged Parent | 864 / 884 | Onshore pathway with age and location rules | Permanent or temporary first stage | Age, valid onshore application, higher contribution, balance-of-family and Assurance of Support. |
| Sponsored Parent Temporary | 870 | Temporary sponsored visit pathway | Temporary stay for 3 or 5 years | Approved sponsor first, application timing, health insurance, stay limits and no permanent outcome from the 870 itself. |
Do not compare only the headline cost or wait. A pathway must first be legally available, and temporary visit options have different objectives from permanent Parent migration.
Aged Parent pathway
Subclass 804: important onshore checks
The Aged Parent 804 is a permanent visa, but the applicant must be eligible to make and maintain a valid onshore application while preparing for a long capped and queued process.
- The parent must be old enough to receive the Australian age pension under the current age setting.
- The applicant must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying and when the decision is made.
- An eligible settled child or other permitted sponsor, the balance-of-family test and an Assurance of Support are central requirements.
- A person who has already applied for or holds a Sponsored Parent Temporary 870 cannot apply for subclass 804 under the current settings.
- The visa is capped and queued; a bridging visa may address lawful stay but does not remove travel, work-condition or processing risks.
Balance-of-family test
Most permanent and contributory Parent pathways require the family composition to satisfy a specific statutory test.
- At least half of the parent's children and stepchildren are eligible children, or
- More eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country.
- Children, stepchildren and adopted children are counted under the official rules.
- Home Affairs states that the test is not waived, even in compelling or exceptional circumstances.
Sponsorship and Assurance of Support
Parent migration can involve separate sponsorship and financial-support requirements. The person sponsoring the visa is not automatically the only possible assurer.
- Confirm the sponsor's Australian status, relationship, residence and settled circumstances where required.
- An Assurance of Support is a legal commitment administered by Services Australia.
- Mandatory assurances can require a bank guarantee and term deposit.
- The duration and financial assessment depend on the visa and assurer circumstances.
Queues and realistic family planning
Home Affairs caps and queues most permanent Parent visas because demand exceeds available places. Queue release dates change over time.
Check the live queue page
Use the official release dates, not an old article or screenshot.
Plan travel separately
A queued permanent application does not itself solve short-term visit needs.
Review changes
Update family composition, contact, health and other required information during processing.
Prepare a Parent visa review
A useful first review starts with a complete family map rather than only the parent's passport.
- Parent age, current country, current visa and intended location.
- Every child and stepchild, their country and Australian status.
- Proposed sponsor, relationship, residence history and Australian status.
- Budget, likely assurer and preferred permanent or temporary objective.
Need to compare Parent visa options?
Send the family map, sponsor details, applicant location and preferred objective for a structured review.