The Australian Parent Visas are designed to allow parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reunite with their families in Australia. These visas cater to parents who wish to migrate permanently or stay temporarily, depending on their financial capacity and intentions.
1. Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
- Purpose: Permanent residency visa for parents who meet the balance-of-family test and are willing to pay a higher application fee.
- Key Features:
- Permanent residency rights, including work, study, and Medicare.
- Option to sponsor eligible relatives.
- No age restrictions.
- Processing Time: Approximately 3-4 years (varies).
- Cost: Higher fee compared to non-contributory visas.
- Eligibility:
- Sponsored by an Australian child who has lived in Australia for at least 2 years.
- Balance-of-family test must be met (more children must reside in Australia than in any other country).
2. Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)
- Purpose: Temporary visa for parents who meet the balance-of-family test and plan to later apply for the permanent Subclass 143.
- Key Features:
- Stay in Australia for up to 2 years.
- Option to apply for Subclass 143 during this time.
- Processing Time: Approximately 3-4 years.
- Cost: Lower than Subclass 143 but requires an upgrade to a permanent visa later.
3. Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)
- Purpose: Permanent residency for aged parents who meet the balance-of-family test and can pay a higher fee.
- Key Features:
- Allows aged parents to stay in Australia permanently.
- Access to Medicare and social security benefits (if eligible).
- Eligibility:
- Applicants must be of retirement age as per Australian laws.
- Must be onshore when applying and when the visa is granted.
4. Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884)
- Purpose: Temporary residency for aged parents, allowing them to later transition to Subclass 864.
- Key Features:
- Stay in Australia for up to 2 years.
- Pathway to permanent Subclass 864 visa.
- Eligibility:
- Applicants must be of retirement age.
- Must be onshore to apply.
5. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
- Purpose: Temporary visa allowing parents to stay with their children in Australia for up to 5 years without meeting the balance-of-family test.
- Key Features:
- No requirement to meet the balance-of-family test.
- Stay in Australia for 3-5 years, with the option to renew for an additional 5 years.
- Processing Time: Typically faster than other parent visas.
- Eligibility:
- Sponsored by an Australian child earning a minimum income threshold.
- No work rights included.
- Cost: Higher cost for long-term stay but more flexible requirements.
General Eligibility Requirements for Parent Visas
- Sponsorship: Applicants must be sponsored by a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Balance-of-Family Test: A majority of the applicant’s children must reside in Australia. (Not applicable to Subclass 870).
- Health and Character Requirements: Meet Australian health and character standards.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): A financial bond may be required for some visas to ensure the applicant does not rely on Australian welfare.
Processing Times
Parent visas have varying processing times:
- Contributory Visas: Faster processing (3-4 years) due to higher costs.
- Non-Contributory Visas: Significantly longer (up to 30 years for some visas).
Why Choose the Right Visa?
Selecting the right visa depends on:
- Your financial capacity.
- Your intended duration of stay.
- Your ability to meet eligibility requirements.
You can read our detailed blog on Partner Visa in Australia to learn more about other visa subclasses.
For tailored guidance on which visa suits you best, contact us today!