Have you recently settled in Australia and wish to reunite with your parents? The Parent Visa Australia allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live with their family in Australia, creating a lifetime of memories together.
Living with your parents in Australia is not just about offering them a new home; it's about sharing milestones, enjoying family gatherings, and giving back the love they have shown you throughout your life.
What is a Parent Visa Australia?
The Parent Visa Australia enables parents living overseas to join their children who are settled in Australia. It is part of the Family Visa stream, which includes temporary and permanent pathways to help families reunite in Australia.
Types of Parent Visas in Australia
Australia offers a range of parent visa options, including:
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
Permanent visa for parents with higher application fees but faster processing times.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)
Two-year temporary visa that can transition to permanent residency.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
Temporary visa allowing stays of 3-5 years without permanent migration.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
Permanent visa for aged parents with longer processing times.
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884)
Temporary visa for aged parents with higher application fees.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)
Permanent visa for aged parents with higher application fees.
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 & 173)
The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) offers permanent residency in Australia for parents wanting to join their children. Applicants may apply directly for this visa or transition from a Temporary Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173), which allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 2 years before applying for permanent residency.
Key Benefits:
- Live, work, and study in Australia.
- Access to Medicare and public healthcare.
- Pathway to Australian citizenship.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
This visa allows parents to live in Australia temporarily for up to 3 or 5 years to spend quality time with their children without permanently migrating.
Key Benefits:
- Live in Australia for up to 5 years per visa grant.
- Travel in and out of Australia during the visa period.
Contributory Aged Parent Visas (Subclass 864 & 884)
Designed for retired parents, these visas allow parents to live in Australia either temporarily (Subclass 884) or permanently (Subclass 864). The higher application charges under the "contributory" stream contribute toward healthcare costs in Australia.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
This visa allows aged parents to live in Australia permanently but has longer processing times, making it suitable for those already in Australia on long-stay visas.
Eligibility Criteria for Parent Visas
To apply for a Parent Visa in Australia, applicants generally must:
- Be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of an eligible child in Australia.
- Be sponsored by an eligible child who is settled in Australia.
- Pass the balance-of-family test, with at least half of their children living in Australia.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Be prepared for the financial sponsorship obligations of their child to ensure they will not rely on government financial assistance.
Balance of Family Test
To pass this test, at least half of your children must be permanently residing in Australia, or more of your children must be in Australia than in any other single country.
Parent Visa Application Process
- Check Eligibility: Ensure your child is eligible to sponsor you and that you meet visa criteria.
- Secure Sponsorship: Your child must agree to sponsor and support you.
- Prepare Documentation: Gather identity documents, relationship evidence, health checks, and police certificates.
- Lodge Application: Submit your completed application with the required documents and application fee.
- Processing and Acknowledgment: The Department of Home Affairs will acknowledge your application, and you may receive a bridging visa if applicable.
- Await Outcome: Processing times vary depending on the visa subclass.
Processing Times
Parent visas under the non-contributory stream can take up to 29 years due to demand and caps, while contributory parent visas typically take around 12 years.
Temporary parent visas (Subclass 870) generally process within 137 days to 9 months.
FAQs
Can parents work and study on a Parent Visa?
Yes, parent visa holders can work and study in Australia.
What is the age requirement for Parent Visas?
While the Parent Visa (Subclass 103) has no age requirement, aged parent visas require applicants to meet the age criteria for the Australian Age Pension.
Can parent visas be refused?
Yes, if health, character, or sponsorship obligations are not met, the visa can be refused. Always consult a migration agent for guidance.
How long can parents stay on a Parent Visa?
Depending on the visa, parents can stay temporarily for up to 5–10 years or permanently.
Why Choose Us?
Bringing your parents to Australia can be complex and emotional. At Nestway Immigration, we offer:
- A clear, strategic assessment of your family's circumstances.
- Guidance on selecting the right parent visa option.
- Preparation of complete, accurate applications to avoid delays.
- Ongoing support from a MARA-registered migration agent.