Bringing Your Parents to Australia: Visa Options Explained

At Morgan Clifford Legal Services, Migration Lawyers based in Toowong, we regularly assist families who want to understand their options for bringing parents to Australia, whether temporarily or permanently.

Australia offers several parent visa pathways, each with different eligibility criteria, costs, and waiting periods. Choosing the right option is critical.

Parent Visa Options in Australia

Australian parent visas broadly fall into temporary and permanent categories.

The most suitable visa depends on your parents’ circumstances, your financial capacity, and how quickly you want them in Australia.

Temporary Parent Visas

Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 870

The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a maximum stay of 10 years (without permanent residency).

Key features include:

• Requires sponsorship by an eligible Australian child.
• Parents cannot work in Australia.
• No access to Medicare (private health insurance is mandatory).
• No balance of family test required.

This visa is popular for families wanting extended stays without the high costs associated with permanent parent visas. However, it does not provide a pathway to permanent residency.

Permanent Parent Visas

Contributory Parent Visas

(Subclasses 143 and 173)

Contributory parent visas are the most common permanent option because they offer much faster processing times compared to non-contributory visas.

• Subclass 143 – Permanent Contributory Parent Visa
• Subclass 173 – Temporary Contributory Parent Visa (leads to Subclass 143)

Key requirements:

• Must pass the Balance of Family Test (at least half of the children live permanently in Australia, or more children live in Australia than any other country).
• Sponsorship by an eligible child.
• Assurance of Support required.
• Significant visa application charges, but shorter waiting periods.

The two-step option (173 followed by 143) allows families to spread the cost over time while still progressing toward permanent residency.

Aged Parent Visas

(Subclasses 804 and 864)

Aged Parent visas allow parents who are old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension to apply onshore, often while holding another visa.

Options include:

• Subclass 804 – Aged Parent (non-contributory)
• Subclass 864 – Aged Contributory Parent

While the contributory option is faster, non-contributory aged parent visas have very long waiting periods, sometimes exceeding decades.

Bridging visas may allow parents to remain in Australia while waiting, but careful planning is essential.

Non-Contributory Parent Visas

(Subclass 103)

The Subclass 103 Parent visa is the lowest-cost permanent option but comes with extremely long processing times. For many families, this visa is more of a long-term option rather than a practical short-term solution.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Regardless of the visa type, most parent visas share common requirements:

Balance of Family Test

This test is central to most permanent parent visas. It examines where your parents’ children live and can be complex, particularly for blended or internationally dispersed families.

Sponsorship

The sponsoring child must usually:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Meet residency requirements.
• Agree to provide financial support if needed.

Assurance of Support (AoS)

An AoS is a financial guarantee lodged with Services Australia to ensure parents do not rely on government income support. This can involve a substantial bond held for several years.

Health and Character Requirements

Parents must meet Australia’s health and character criteria. Health issues do not automatically lead to refusal, but they must be assessed carefully.

Costs and Waiting Times

Parent visas are among the most expensive Australian visas, particularly contributory options. In addition to visa application charges, families should budget for:

• Assurance of Support bonds
• Health examinations
• Police checks
• Private health insurance (if required)

Processing times can range from a few years to several decades, depending on the visa type chosen. Understanding this upfront avoids disappointment and financial stress.

Common Challenges

Many parent visa applications encounter difficulties due to:

• Misunderstanding the Balance of Family Test
• Choosing an unsuitable visa pathway
• Underestimating costs or waiting periods
• Applying without proper bridging visa strategies
• Failing to plan for health or insurance obligations

Once lodged, parent visa applications are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to change, making professional advice crucial before applying.

How Morgan Clifford Legal Services Can Help

At Morgan Clifford Legal Services, we provide clear, strategic advice tailored to your family’s situation. Our migration lawyers assist with:

• Assessing the most suitable parent visa pathway
• Explaining costs, risks, and realistic timeframes
• Preparing sponsorship and visa applications
• Managing health, character, and AoS requirements
• Ongoing support throughout lengthy processing periods

We understand how emotional and important family reunification is, and we aim to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Bringing Your Parents to Australia

Bringing your parents to Australia is possible, but it requires careful planning, realistic expectations, and expert guidance.

With multiple visa options available, each with different benefits and limitations, choosing the right pathway from the start can save years of delay and significant expense.

If you’re considering bringing your parents to Australia, Morgan Clifford Legal Services in Toowong can help you understand your options and guide you every step of the way.  Contact us today.

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