Let’s be honest, bringing your parents to live with you in Australia is one of the most emotionally significant decisions you’ll make as a migrant. It’s also one of the most challenging visa applications you’ll ever navigate. Here’s the reality: Australian parent visas are expensive, incredibly time-consuming, and there’s no way to sugar-coat it. We’re talking about waiting anywhere from 14 to 33 years depending on which pathway you choose.
The Australian Government only grants 8,500 parent visas each year, but there are over 150,000 families waiting in the queue. That’s why understanding your options early and making informed decisions can make all the difference.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about Australian parent visas in 2025the different types available, what they actually cost, realistic timeframes, and most importantly, how to avoid the common mistakes that lead to refusals.
Understanding Your Parent Visa Options: Six Pathways Explained
Australia offers six different parent visa options, and choosing the right one depends on two main factors: your budget and your patience.
Think of it as two main pathways the contributory route (pay more, wait less) and the non-contributory route (pay less, wait… well, potentially longer than your parents have).
The Contributory Pathway: Faster but Expensive
Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent)
This is the most popular option, and for good reason. It’s a permanent visa that lets your parents live in Australia indefinitely. Right now, there are 83,814 applications in the queue as of May 2025.
The cost? Around $48,640 total per parent. You pay $5,040 upfront, then $43,600 when your application gets close to being decided. Yes, that second installment is a big one.
Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary)
Think of this as the “installment plan” option. You pay $32,525 to get a temporary visa first, then your parents can actually live in Australia while you save up to convert to the permanent 143 visa later. Many families prefer this because it splits the costs and gets their parents here sooner.
Subclass 864 & 884 – Aged Parent Visas
If your parents are 67 or older and already in Australia (maybe on a visitor visa), they can apply for these onshore options. The permanent 864 costs around $48,495, while the temporary 884 costs $34,170.
The big advantage here? They get a bridging visa immediately, meaning they can stay in Australia legally while waiting for their application to be processed. Given we’re talking about decade-long waits, that’s huge.
The Non-Contributory Pathway: Cheaper but Impractical
Subclass 103 – Parent Visa
Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa
These cost just $7,190 total sounds great, right?
Here’s the catch: they’re currently processing applications from June 2013. That was over 12 years ago. New applications lodged today are looking at an estimated 33-year wait.
Unless your parents are in their 30s and you’re planning very, very far ahead, these visas are unfortunately not realistic for most families.
The Waiting Game: What Processing Times Really Look Like in 2025
Let me paint you a picture of where the queue stands right now.
As of October 2025, the Department of Home Affairs is working through:
- Contributory visas: Applications from June 2018
- Non-contributory visas: Applications from June 2013
What does this mean for you?
If you lodge a contributory parent visa application today in 2025, you’re realistically looking at getting approved around 2039-2040. That’s 14-15 years from now.
For non-contributory visas? We’re talking 2057-2058. That’s 32-33 years.
Why so long? Simple math. The government allocates:
- 6,800 places for all contributory visas combined
- 1,700 places for non-contributory visas
But there are 151,000+ applications waiting in line. The queue moves forward slowly, even though the government processes the same number every year.
This is why most migration experts tell you to apply as soon as you’re eligible. Every month you wait is another month added to the end of your waiting period.
Breaking Down the Costs: The Full Financial Picture for 2025
Let’s talk money. And I mean all the money, not just the visa fees.
Visa Application Fees
| Visa Type | First Payment | Second Payment | Total |
| 143 Contributory Parent | $5,040 | $43,600 | $48,640 |
| 173 Contributory Parent (Temp) | $3,395 | $29,130 | $32,525 |
| 103 Parent | $5,125 | $2,065 | $7,190 |
| 864 Contributory Aged Parent | $4,895 | $43,600 | $48,495 |
| 884 Contributory Aged (Temp) | $5,040 | $29,130 | $34,170 |
| 804 Aged Parent | $5,125 | $2,065 | $7,190 |
Important: These fees are per person. If your mother and father are both applying, you’re doubling everything.
The Hidden Costs Most People Forget About
Assurance of Support Bond
This is a big one. You (or your guarantors) need to put down a refundable bond guaranteeing your parents won’t claim Centrelink benefits:
- $10,000-$14,000 for contributory visas (held for 10 years!)
- $5,000-$7,000 for non-contributory visas (held for 2-4 years)
Health Examinations
$300-$500 per person, and these expire after 12 months. Since processing takes years, you might need to do them multiple times.
Police Certificates
$50-$300 depending on which countries your parents need certificates from.
Translations
Any documents not in English need NAATI-certified translations. Costs vary widely.
Migration Agent Fees (optional but recommended)
$4,500-$10,000+ depending on complexity.
The Real Total
For two parents applying via the contributory pathway, you’re looking at:
- Visa fees: $97,280
- AoS bonds: $20,000-$28,000
- Health checks, police certs, translations: $2,000-$4,000
- Migration agent (optional): $4,500-$10,000
Grand total: $120,000-$140,000
I know. It’s a lot. But remember this is for permanent residency for both your parents to live in Australia for the rest of their lives.
The Balance of Family Test: The Deal-Breaker You Need to Understand
This is where many applications fail, so pay close attention.
Your parents can only get a parent visa if they pass something called the Balance of Family Test. There’s no exception, no waiver, no “but our situation is special.”
Here’s how it works:
At least half of your parent’s children must be permanent residents or citizens living in Australia, OR more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country.
Who Counts as a Child?
- Biological children (obviously)
- Adopted children
- Stepchildren from current marriage (any age)
- Stepchildren from previous marriages (only if under 18 and in your parent’s custody)
Who Counts as “In Australia”?
Only children who are:
- Australian citizens
- Permanent residents
- Eligible New Zealand citizens
Important: Kids on temporary visas (even if they’ve been in Australia for years) do NOT count.
Real-Life Example
Let’s say your mum has four children:
- You (Australian citizen in Sydney) ✓
- Your brother (Australian PR in Melbourne) ✓
- Your sister (on a temporary work visa in Brisbane) ✗
- Your other brother (citizen living in Canada)
Result: Only 2 out of 4 children count as “in Australia.” She fails the test because she doesn’t have at least half (2 out of 4 is exactly half, not “at least half”).
To pass, she would need three children who are citizens or PRs in Australia.
Special Situations
Deceased children: Don’t count in the calculation
Children in legal custody of others: Don’t count
Children from your parent’s previous marriages: DO count, even if they have no relationship
Your partner’s children from previous relationships: May count depending on the situation
This is complex stuff. If your family situation involves stepchildren, adoptions, or children scattered across different countries, I highly recommend getting professional advice before applying.
What Your Australian Child Needs to Sponsor You
You can’t just apply for a parent visa yourself you need an Australian child to sponsor you. And that child needs to meet specific requirements.
Sponsor Requirements
Age: Must be at least 18 years old
Status: Must be one of:
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent resident
- Eligible New Zealand citizen
Settlement Period: Here’s the part that trips people up. Your child must have lived lawfully in Australia for at least 2 years before your parent visa application is lodged.
That means if your son just got his PR last month, he can’t sponsor you yet. You have to wait another 23 months.
Sponsor Obligations
When your child sponsors you, they’re signing up for serious commitments:
- Financial support: They promise to support you financially for the first 2 years after you arrive
- Accommodation: They commit to helping you with housing
- Debt repayment: If you incur public health debts, they’re responsible
- Record keeping: They need to keep records available for government inspection
The Assurance of Support (AoS)
This is separate from sponsorship but equally important.
Your child (or up to three people combining their incomes) must prove they can financially support your parents so they won’t need Centrelink benefits. This requires:
- Meeting minimum income thresholds
- Lodging a bank guarantee bond (mentioned earlier)
- Signing a legal commitment lasting:
- 10 years for contributory visas
- 2-4 years for non-contributory visas
The bond is held by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. If your parents claim any social security during the AoS period, the government takes it from the bond. If they don’t claim anything, you get the full amount back with interest when the period ends.
Can’t meet the income requirements alone? You can have up to three people (family members or friends) combine their incomes and share the AoS responsibility.
Health and Character: The Non-Negotiables
Every parent visa applicant needs to prove they’re healthy enough and of good character. Let’s break down what this really means.
Health Requirements
Your parents need medical exams from Department-approved doctors (called “panel physicians”). The exam includes:
- General medical check-up
- Chest X-ray (if 11 years or older)
- HIV test (if 15 years or older)
Important timing tip: Don’t rush to do these exams the moment you lodge your application. Health exams are only valid for 12 months, and since parent visas take years to process, you’ll just have to do them again later.
Wait until the Department specifically requests them.
What “Passing” the Health Requirement Actually Means
Australia won’t grant a visa if your parent has a condition that would:
- Cost the Australian healthcare system more than $51,000 over the relevant period, OR
- Take services away from Australian citizens and residents when those services are in short supply
Here’s what many people don’t understand: it doesn’t matter if your parents have private health insurance. It doesn’t matter if you promise to pay all their medical bills.
The Department assesses what a hypothetical person with the same condition would typically need. Your personal circumstances can’t override this.
Common conditions that can cause problems:
- Kidney disease requiring dialysis
- Cancer requiring ongoing treatment
- Severe diabetes with complications
- Heart disease requiring surgery
- Significant mental health conditions
Character Requirements
Your parents need police certificates from every country they’ve lived in for 12+ months (combined or consecutive) in the last 10 years since turning 16.
Lived in three different countries? That’s three police certificates.
Automatic character failure occurs if your parent:
- Has been sentenced to 12+ months in prison
- Has a substantial criminal record
- Has been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide
- Is considered a security risk
One more critical point: If your parent provides false information or fraudulent documents (even by accident), they trigger PIC 4020 an automatic refusal plus a 3-year ban from applying for any Australian visa.
Always, always be completely honest in your application.
Aged Parent Visas: Special Rules for Parents Over 67
If your parents have already reached Australian pension age (currently 67 years), they can apply for aged parent visas instead of regular parent visas.
Key Differences
Age requirement: Your parent must be 67 or older when they lodge the application (for anyone born after 1 January 1957)
Location: Aged parent visas (804, 864, 884) must be applied for from inside Australia. Regular parent visas (103, 143, 173) are applied for from outside Australia.
Bridging visa benefit: When your parent applies for an aged parent visa from within Australia, they immediately get a Bridging Visa A. This lets them stay legally in Australia while waiting years for their parent visa to be decided.
This is massive. Imagine being able to live together as a family for those 14+ years instead of being separated.
Can Partners Apply Too?
Yes! Even if your parent’s spouse hasn’t reached pension age, they can still be included as a secondary applicant on the aged parent visa.
One important catch: If your aged parent (the main applicant) passes away before the visa is granted, the spouse can only continue the application if they had also reached pension age at the time of the original application.
If they were under 67 when the application was lodged, and your parent dies during processing, the whole application ends.
Your Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
Let me walk you through the actual process from start to finish.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility (Before You Spend a Dollar)
Before paying for anything, make absolutely sure:
✓ Your parent passes the Balance of Family Test
✓ Your Australian child meets the 2-year settlement requirement
✓ Your child meets sponsorship obligations
✓ There are no obvious health or character red flags
✓ You can afford the total costs (not just visa fees)
Many families rush to lodge and only realize later they don’t actually qualify. Take your time here.
Step 2: Choose Your Visa Subclass
Decision time. Ask yourself:
Can you afford $48,000+ per parent?
- Yes → Contributory visa (143 or 864)
- No, but can save more → Two-stage temporary visa (173 or 884)
- No → Consider the 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary visa instead (more on this later)
Is your parent 67 or older and able to come to Australia now?
- Yes → Aged parent visa (864 or 884) to get bridging visa benefits
- No → Regular parent visa (143 or 173)
Want to spread the costs?
- Two-stage pathway (173→143 or 884→864) lets you pay in chunks
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
This is where organization pays off. You’ll need:
For your parents:
- Current passports
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce papers or death certificates (for previous marriages)
- All children’s birth certificates (worldwide, not just in Australia)
- Police certificates from relevant countries
- Identity documents
For your Australian child (sponsor):
- Citizenship certificate or PR evidence
- Proof of 2+ years living in Australia
- Identity documents
- Completed Form 40 (Sponsorship form)
For the application:
- Completed Form 47PA (Parent visa application)
- Photos (passport-sized, recent)
- Certified copies of all documents
- NAATI-certified translations for non-English documents
Pro tip: Get everything certified by a Justice of the Peace, lawyer, or notary public before lodging. Don’t send originals ever.
Step 4: Lodge Through ImmiAccount
Everything is done online now:
- Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Create an ImmiAccount (or log into existing one)
- Select the correct visa subclass
- Complete all forms carefully
- Upload all documents
- Pay the first installment
- Submit
You’ll get an email confirmation usually within 4 weeks acknowledging your application.
Step 5: Join the Queue
After lodging, the Department does an initial assessment to check:
- Do you meet basic requirements?
- Does the Balance of Family Test calculation work?
- Are documents complete?
If yes to all, you get a queue date (the date you lodged). From here, it’s a waiting game.
Your application sits in the queue along with everyone else who lodged around the same time. The Department processes strictly in queue date order there’s no jumping the line, no matter how compelling your circumstances.
Step 6: The Long Wait
During this period (which, remember, could be 14+ years):
- Keep your contact details updated in ImmiAccount
- Notify the Department if anything changes (new children born, children moving countries, etc.)
- Keep saving money for the second installment
- Don’t do health checks or police certificates yet
Step 7: Final Processing
Finally your queue date comes up! The Department will contact you requesting:
- Updated police certificates (valid within last 12 months)
- Health examinations (from panel physicians)
- Evidence of Assurance of Support
- Payment of second installment
- Updated forms and documents
Once you provide everything, final decisions usually come within a few months.
Contributory vs. Non-Contributory: Making the Right Choice
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Is paying an extra $41,000+ per person actually worth it?
The Time Trade-Off
Contributory visa: ~14-15 year wait
Non-contributory visa: ~32-33 year wait
You’re paying roughly $41,450 extra per person to save about 17-19 years of waiting time.
The Reality Check
Here’s some tough love: For most families, non-contributory visas simply aren’t viable.
If your parent is 65 years old today and applies for a subclass 103 visa, they’ll theoretically receive it when they’re 97-98 years old.
Even if your parent is relatively young (say, 55), they’ll be 87-88 by the time the visa comes through.
Unless your parents are quite young and in excellent health, or you’re planning 30+ years ahead, contributory visas are the only realistic option.
The Two-Stage Option
The 173→143 or 884→864 pathway doesn’t process any faster you join the same queue as people applying directly for permanent visas.
But it does offer advantages:
- Spread the costs: Pay $32,000 now, then $16,000 later when converting to permanent
- Live together sooner: Once the temporary visa is granted, your parents can live in Australia with you while waiting for permanent residency
- Work rights: Temporary visa holders can work and study in Australia
Many families choose this option because it reduces the financial burden upfront and brings the family together during the waiting period.
What About the 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa?
If the parent visa queues sound impossible (they kind of are), there’s another option worth knowing about: the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa.
How It’s Different
Processing time: About 8 months (yes, months not years!)
Total stay: Renewable up to 10 years maximum
Balance of Family Test: Not required
Sounds great, right? What’s the catch?
No pathway to permanent residency. Ever. The 870 is a temporary visa only it never converts to a permanent visa, no matter how long your parents hold it.
When the 870 Makes Sense
Consider the 870 if:
- Your parents don’t pass the Balance of Family Test
- You need them in Australia urgently (grandchild care, health reasons)
- You want them to visit long-term while your parent visa application processes
- You’re still saving for the contributory visa fees
- Your parents prefer keeping ties to their home country
Many families use the 870 as a bridge solution while their parent visa application sits in the queue.
Recent Policy Changes You Need to Know (2024-2025)
Immigration policy changes constantly. Here’s what’s new for parent visas in 2024-2025:
Visa Allocation Numbers
The government maintained parent visa places at:
- 6,800 contributory visas
- 1,700 non-contributory visas
- Total: 8,500 places (unchanged from previous year)
Fee Increases
Fees went up in July 2024 and will increase again in July 2025 (annual indexation of ~2-3%).
If you’re planning to apply soon, lodging before July 2025 could save you a few hundred dollars.
Legislative Changes
March 2025: New Migration Instrument (LIN 25/018) formally established the 2024-25 visa caps.
December 2024: Parents holding Substituted Subclass 600 visitor visas (granted through ministerial intervention) can now apply for aged parent visas without meeting the age requirement. This is a narrow exception for specific humanitarian cases.
August 2024: Policy clarification on secondary applicants. If the main applicant on an aged parent visa dies before grant, the spouse can only continue if they were also aged at the time of application.
What This Means for You
No major changes have made parent visas faster or cheaper. The queue remains long, costs remain high.
The lesson? Don’t wait for policy changes to make things easier. If you’re eligible now, apply now.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Visa Refusals
Learn from others’ mistakes. These are the most common reasons parent visas get refused:
1. Balance of Family Test Errors
The mistake: Miscounting children or not understanding who counts.
Common errors:
- Counting kids on temporary visas as being “in Australia”
- Forgetting to count stepchildren from previous marriages
- Not declaring all children (even estranged ones)
- Miscalculating when there are deceased children
How to avoid it: List every single child, their location, and citizenship status. When in doubt, get professional help with this calculation.
2. Health Requirement Failures
The mistake: Not disclosing existing health conditions, hoping they won’t be discovered.
The reality: Panel physicians conduct thorough examinations. They will find conditions. Undisclosed conditions can result in refusal under PIC 4020 (providing false information).
How to avoid it: Be completely honest about health conditions. If you’re concerned a condition might cause problems, consult a migration agent before applying.
3. Providing False Information (PIC 4020)
The mistake: Submitting incorrect documents, hiding information, or exaggerating circumstances.
The consequences: Automatic refusal + 3-year ban from applying for any Australian visa.
This includes:
- Fake employment letters
- False income declarations
- Hiding previous visa refusals
- Fraudulent relationship evidence
- Fake translations
How to avoid it: Never, ever lie. If something in your application seems weak, address it honestly rather than fabricating evidence.
4. Sponsor Doesn’t Meet Requirements
The mistake: Applying before the Australian child has lived in Australia for 2 full years.
The reality: “2 years” means 730 days of lawful residence before the parent visa application date. Even 720 days isn’t enough.
How to avoid it: Wait until you’re absolutely certain the 2-year requirement is met. Count carefully.
5. Incomplete or Inconsistent Documentation
The mistake: Submitting incomplete applications or documents with conflicting information.
Examples:
- Birth certificates with different names than passports
- Missing police certificates
- Expired identity documents
- Unsigned forms
- Missing translations
How to avoid it: Use the official Department checklists. Triple-check everything. Consider professional document review.
6. Missing Deadlines
The mistake: Not responding to Department requests within the given timeframe (usually 28 days).
The consequences: Your application can be refused if you don’t respond in time.
How to avoid it:
- Keep your contact details updated
- Check email regularly (including spam folder)
- Set phone reminders when you receive requests
- Respond early rather than waiting until the deadline
Should You Use a Migration Agent?
This is the question everyone asks. The honest answer: it depends.
When You Probably Don’t Need an Agent
Your situation might be straightforward if:
✓ Your parents clearly pass the Balance of Family Test
✓ All children are biological, living in clear locations
✓ Your parents have no health concerns
✓ Your parents have never had visa refusals
✓ You’re comfortable with forms and documentation
✓ You have time to research and understand requirements
Many people successfully apply for parent visas without agents when their situation is uncomplicated.
When You Definitely Should Use an Agent
Get professional help if:
✗ Complex family situations (stepchildren, adoptions, children in multiple countries)
✗ Borderline Balance of Family Test
✗ Your parent has health conditions
✗ Previous visa refusals in any country
✗ Character concerns
✗ Complicated financial situations for AoS
✗ You’re unsure about any major aspect
What Agents Actually Do
A registered migration agent can:
- Assess your eligibility before you spend money
- Calculate Balance of Family Test correctly
- Prepare all forms and documentation
- Liaise with the Department on your behalf
- Advise on complex situations
- Respond to information requests
- Represent you if there are issues
The Cost
Expect to pay:
- Simple cases: $4,500-$7,000
- Complex cases: $8,000-$12,000+
Some agents charge fixed fees, others hourly rates.
How to Choose an Agent
Only use registered agents: Check the MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) register at mara.gov.au
Warning signs to avoid:
- Guaranteeing visa approval
- Asking you to provide false information
- Not registered with MARA
- Pressure tactics or rushing you
- Unusually low fees
Good signs:
- Transparent about costs upfront
- Explains both strengths and weaknesses of your case
- Provides written advice
- Has experience with parent visas specifically
- Good communication and responsiveness
Planning for the Long Haul: Practical Tips
Waiting 14+ years for a visa requires strategy. Here’s how to handle it:
Financial Planning
Start saving immediately: That second installment is due whenever your application is finalized. Spread $43,600 over 14 years = $3,115 per year or $260 per month per parent.
Account for fee increases: Visa fees increase annually. The second installment you pay in 2040 will be higher than today’s $43,600. Build in a buffer.
Plan for the Assurance of Support bond: You’ll need that $10,000-$14,000 bond ready when your application is finalized.
Staying in Touch
Visit regularly: Use visitor visas to maintain relationships during the long wait.
The 870 visa option: Consider sponsoring your parents on a 870 temporary visa while the parent visa processes. They can be in Australia with you during the wait.
Keeping Your Application Current
Update changes immediately:
- New children born (to you or your siblings)
- Children moving countries
- Your parent’s address changes
- Sponsor’s contact details change
Don’t let documents expire unnecessarily: Police certificates and health checks are only valid 12 months. Wait for the Department to request them rather than submitting them too early.
Managing Expectations
Be realistic about timeframes: When you explain the process to your parents, be honest about how long it will take.
Have backup plans: What if your parent’s health declines during the wait? What’s your plan B?
Consider alternatives: Would the 870 temporary visa be better for your family’s situation?
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
I won’t lie to you the Australian parent visa process is one of the toughest immigration pathways in the world.
The costs are substantial. The wait times are extraordinary. And there’s no guarantee of approval.
But here’s what you get if successful:
- Your parents living permanently in Australia
- Full Medicare access after waiting periods
- Ability to work and study
- Access to social security (after waiting periods)
- Eventual citizenship eligibility
- Being together as a family
For many Australian families, having parents close by especially as they age or when grandchildren arrive is priceless. The financial and time investment, while huge, brings families together permanently.
Your Next Steps
If you’ve made it this far, you’re serious about bringing your parents to Australia. Here’s what to do next:
- Assess your eligibility honestly
- Calculate the Balance of Family Test carefully
- Check your sponsorship eligibility
- Verify you can meet financial requirements
- Decide on your pathway
- Contributory vs non-contributory
- Regular vs aged parent visa
- One-stage vs two-stage process
- Get your budget in order
- Visa fees
- AoS bond
- Additional costs
- Professional fees (if using an agent)
- Start gathering documents
- Don’t rush, but don’t delay either
- The earlier you lodge, the earlier you join the queue
- Consider professional advice
- At minimum, get an eligibility assessment
- Complex cases absolutely need professional help
- Apply as soon as you’re eligible
- Every month matters when you’re looking at 14-year queues
- Waiting won’t make it faster or cheaper
Remember: The parent visa journey is a marathon, not a sprint. But for families committed to reuniting, it’s a marathon worth running. Ready to start your parent visa application? Book a consultation with our experienced parent visa specialists today.
