Everything you need to know about parent visas in Australia

You’ve done it. The visa journey is behind you, the PR is granted, and Australia is officially home. Now it’s time for the next chapter: bringing your parents over to share it with you.

But here’s where it gets complicated. Australia’s parent visa system is a maze of subclasses, queues, costs, and trade-offs. Some visas cost under $10,000 but take 30+ years. Others cost $50,000+ but move in 5 to 6 years. And there’s a temporary option most people don’t even know about.

This guide breaks down every parent visa option available in 2026, with current fees, real processing times, and honest advice on which pathway actually makes sense for your family.

First things first: the Balance of Family Test

Before you look at any specific visa, you need to know whether your parents pass the Balance of Family Test. This is a requirement for all permanent parent visas in Australia.

The rule is straightforward: at least half of your parents’ children must live permanently in Australia, OR more of their children must live in Australia than in any other single country.

Example: Your parents have three children. You live in Melbourne, one sibling lives in London, and one lives in Istanbul. Two out of three children are overseas, so the test is not met. Your parents would not be eligible for a permanent parent visa.

The one exception: The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa does not require the Balance of Family Test. More on that below.

The quick comparison: every parent visa at a glance

Here’s the reality check. These are the current options as of 2026:

Visa	Type	Where to Apply	Total Cost (approx.)	Queue / Processing
Subclass 143	Permanent	Offshore	~$48,000 – $50,000+	12 – 15 years
Subclass 173	Temporary → 143	Offshore	~$32,000 (then 143)	5 – 6 years
Subclass 103	Permanent	Offshore	~$7,345	30+ years
Subclass 804	Permanent (Aged)	Onshore	~$7,345	30+ years
Subclass 864	Permanent (Aged)	Onshore	~$48,640	5 – 6 years
Subclass 884	Temporary → 864	Onshore	~$32,000 (then 864)	5 – 6 years
Subclass 870 ⭐	Temporary (3 or 5 yrs)	Offshore	$5,735 (3yr) / $11,470 (5yr)	A few months

Costs are approximate and based on 2025-26 fee schedule. Fees are indexed annually. Additional costs include medical exams, police checks, Assurance of Support bond, and private health insurance.

Yes, you’re reading that right. Some families will wait longer than their parents’ remaining lifetime for a visa to be granted. That’s the hard truth of the current system.

Permanent parent visas: the full breakdown

Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)

This is the most popular permanent pathway because it’s the fastest route to PR for your parents. But “fastest” is relative: we’re still talking years.

Who it’s for: Parents of Australian citizens/PRs who want permanent residency and can afford the high cost.

Key details:

• Parents must be outside Australia at the time of grant (with limited exceptions).
• Must pass the Balance of Family Test.
• Requires an Assurance of Support (AoS) with a refundable bond of $10,000 per parent ($14,000 for two), held for 10 years.
• Cost is paid in two instalments: first instalment (~$4,990) at application, second instalment (~$43,600) before grant.

Total cost per parent: approximately $48,000 – $50,000+

Current queue: As at January 2026, the Department of Home Affairs has released Contributory Parent applications with a queue date up to October 2018. This means if you lodge today, expect approximately 12 to 15 years before grant.

Best for: Families who can manage the cost and are planning long-term. This is the “pay more, wait less” option, though the wait is still significant.

Contributory Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 173)

Think of this as the “instalment plan” version of the 143. Instead of paying everything upfront, you split the journey into two stages.

How it works:

1. Apply for Subclass 173 (temporary, 2 years).
2. Before the 173 expires, apply for Subclass 143 (permanent).

This lets you spread the financial hit over several years. Your parents get to live in Australia on the temporary visa while the permanent application is processed.

Total cost across both stages: Similar to 143, but paid in smaller chunks over time.

Processing time: 5 to 6 years for the initial 173.

Best for: Families who want the 143 pathway but need to manage cash flow.

Parent Visa (Subclass 103) — the non-contributory option

This is the “affordable” permanent parent visa. The catch? The queue is measured in decades.

Total cost per parent: approximately $7,345 (across two instalments)

Current queue: As at January 2026, applications with a queue date up to June 2013 have been released for processing. For new applications lodged in 2026, estimated wait time is 30+ years.

To put that in perspective: if you lodge today, your application might be processed around 2056.

Best for: Families who want to lodge and hold a place in the queue while exploring other options (like the 870) in the meantime. Some families lodge a 103 as a “backup” alongside other pathways.

Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

The onshore equivalent for parents who are already in Australia and have reached the Australian pension age (currently 67).

Total cost per parent: approximately $7,345

Current queue: Applications up to June 2013 released. Same 30+ year wait for new lodgements.

Key advantage: Because it’s an onshore visa, your parents can stay in Australia on a Bridging Visa while they wait. They’ll need private health insurance during this period.

Best for: Parents already in Australia who meet the age requirement and can wait on a bridging visa.

Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)

The contributory (faster) version of the 804. For parents at pension age who are in Australia.

Total cost per parent: approximately $48,640

Processing time: 5 to 6 years.

Best for: Parents already in Australia, over 67, who want the faster permanent pathway and can afford the contribution.

Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 884)

The temporary stepping stone to the 864, just like the 173 is to the 143. Allows your parents to split the cost over two stages.

Processing time: 5 to 6 years for the initial 884.

Best for: Same as 864, but for families who need to spread the cost.

The option most people miss: Subclass 870 ⭐

Here’s the one that doesn’t get enough attention.

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) lets your parents live in Australia for 3 or 5 years, renewable up to a 10-year cumulative maximum.

Why it’s worth considering:

• No Balance of Family Test required. This is huge. If your siblings live overseas and you can’t pass the family test, this is your only parent visa option.
• Processed in months, not years. While permanent visas take 5 to 30+ years, the 870 can be granted in a matter of months.
• Affordable: $5,735 for 3 years or $11,470 for 5 years.
• Sponsor must be approved first before the visa application is lodged.

The trade-off: It’s temporary. It does not lead to permanent residency. Your parents won’t have access to Medicare and will need private health insurance.

Best for: Families who don’t pass the Balance of Family Test, families who want their parents in Australia while a permanent visa sits in the queue, or families who simply want extended time together without the six-figure commitment.

Pro tip: Many families use a 870 + 143/103 combo strategy. Lodge the permanent visa to hold your place in the queue, and use the 870 to actually have your parents in Australia while you wait. Best of both worlds.

Learn more about the Subclass 870 Temporary Parent Visa →

Understanding the costs beyond the visa fee

The visa application charge is just the starting point. Here’s what else you’ll need to budget for:

• Assurance of Support (AoS) bond: $10,000 per parent ($14,000 for two parents). Required for all permanent parent visas. Refundable after 10 years if no Centrelink claims are made.
• AoS application fee: approximately $5,000.
• Medical examinations: $300 to $500 per person, depending on location.
• Police clearances: Required from every country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years. Costs vary by country.
• Private health insurance: Required for temporary visas (870) and recommended during bridging visa periods. Budget $2,000 to $4,000+ per year per parent.
• Translation and document certification: $30 to $60 per page for non-English documents.

Which pathway is right for your family?

Let’s make this simple:

If money is not the main concern and you want PR:
→ Subclass 143 (offshore) or Subclass 864 (onshore, if pension age). Expect 5 to 15 years.

If you want PR but need to spread the cost:
→ Subclass 173 (temporary) then transition to 143. Or Subclass 884 then 864 if onshore.

If you want the cheapest permanent option and time isn’t urgent:
→ Subclass 103 (offshore) or Subclass 804 (onshore, pension age). Be prepared for 30+ years.

If you don’t pass the Balance of Family Test:
→ Subclass 870 is your only option. And it’s a good one.

If you want your parents here NOW while you wait:
→ Subclass 870 + lodge a permanent visa in the background.

What the process looks like (step by step)

Regardless of which visa you choose, the general process follows these stages:

1. Check eligibility: Confirm the Balance of Family Test (if applicable), sponsorship requirements, and whether your parents need to be onshore or offshore.
2. Sponsor approval: The sponsoring child submits a sponsorship application. For the 870, this must be approved before the visa application.
3. Gather documents: Passports, birth certificates, proof of parent-child relationship, sponsor’s residency and income evidence, police clearances, medical examination bookings.
4. Lodge the application: Submit through ImmiAccount with all supporting documents.
5. Health and character checks: Complete medical examinations and provide police clearances from all relevant countries.
6. Assurance of Support: For permanent visas, lodge the AoS through Services Australia and pay the bond.
7. Wait: This is the hard part. Keep your contact details updated with the Department and respond promptly to any requests.
8. Grant: When your application is released from the queue and processed, you’ll receive the visa grant notification.

Common questions we get asked

Can my parents work in Australia on a parent visa?

On permanent parent visas (143, 103, 804, 864), yes, they’ll have full work rights once granted. On the temporary 870, they can work. On bridging visas while waiting, work rights depend on the specific bridging visa conditions.

Will my parents get Medicare?

Permanent visa holders get Medicare. Temporary visa holders (870, bridging visas) generally do not, unless they’re from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. Private health insurance is essential during any temporary period.

Can I sponsor both parents at the same time?

Yes, but you’ll need to meet financial requirements for each parent separately and pay individual application fees.

What if my parents are already in Australia on a visitor visa?

They may be able to apply for the Aged Parent (804) or Contributory Aged Parent (864/884) if they meet the age requirement and their visitor visa doesn’t have a “No Further Stay” condition. They’d receive a bridging visa to remain lawfully while the application is processed.

Can I lodge a 103 now and switch to a 143 later?

It’s generally not possible to simply “upgrade” a 103 to a 143. You would need to withdraw the 103 and lodge a new 143 application, losing your place in the queue. Talk to a migration agent before making this decision.

Book a Consultation with us

Australia’s parent visa system forces families into a difficult choice: pay a lot and wait years, or pay less and wait decades. There’s no way around it. But understanding all your options, including the often-overlooked 870 temporary pathway, means you can build a strategy that actually works for your family’s timeline and budget.

The worst thing you can do is wait to start. Queue positions only move forward from the date you lodge. Every month you delay is a month added to the wait.

If you’re ready to bring your parents to Australia, or even just want to understand what’s realistic, book a consultation with our team. We’ll look at your specific situation, run the Balance of Family Test, and give you a clear, honest plan.

This guide was last updated in March 2026. Visa fees and processing times are subject to change. For the most current information, check the Department of Home Affairs website or speak with a registered migration agent.

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About the Author

Bill Mitroulas is the Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. A registered migration agent since 2015 and member of the Migration Institute of Australia, Bill brings over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian migration law. He leads Questra’s team with a client-first, quality-driven approach.

Chat with Bill’s team →