Reunite With Your Family Permanently in Australia

The Parent visa subclass 103 grants permanent residence to parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This non-contributory visa offers an affordable pathway to live permanently in Australia. Offshore applications process in 30-33 years, granting full permanent residency with work authorization, Medicare access, and citizenship pathway.

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Key Facts

Visa Type

Permanent Residency

Balance of Family Test:

Mandatory - at least half your children must live in Australia

Sponsor Requirement:

Must be sponsored by an eligible child (Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen settled in Australia)

Processing Time:

Typically 7 to 15 months for 90% process

Why Choose Subclass 103?

The Subclass 191 is a permanent residence visa for holders of provisional regional visas (Subclass 491 or 494) who have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least three years. Introduced in November 2022, the 191 rewards regional contribution with full permanent residency without requiring new skills assessments, points tests, or state nominations.

What Are Subclass 103 Visa Benefits?

Permanent Residency in Australia

Live permanently with your children and grandchildren with no time limits. The Subclass 103 grants permanent resident status, providing security and stability for your retirement years in Australia without visa renewals.

Full Work Rights Throughout Australia

Enjoy unrestricted work rights across Australia. Whether you choose to retire or continue working, you have complete freedom in any occupation with no restrictions on your employment rights.

Medicare Access for Healthcare

Become eligible for Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system, providing subsidized medical consultations, hospital care, and prescription medications through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Pathway to Australian Citizenship

After meeting residency requirements (typically 4 years including 12 months as permanent resident), apply for Australian citizenship with voting rights and an Australian passport.

Travel Rights

Your permanent visa includes 5-year travel facility from grant date. After 5 years, apply for a Resident Return Visa to maintain travel rights for international trips.

Most Affordable Permanent Parent Visa

With government fees of approximately $7,345 compared to $48,640 for contributory visas, Subclass 103 is the most cost-effective permanent parent visa, saving over $41,000.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Subclass 103 Parent Visa, you must meet the Balance of Family Test with at least half your children permanently residing in Australia, be sponsored by an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident child, pass health and character assessments, and secure an Assurance of Support.

Sponsorship Requirement

Your child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen settled in Australia (typically 2+ years) and aged 18+. They complete Form 40 sponsorship, committing to provide support during your settlement.

Balance of Family Test (MANDATORY)

At least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, OR more children live in Australia than any other single country. Cannot be waived. Only Australian citizens/PRs/eligible NZ citizens "usually resident" in Australia count. Children on temporary visas do NOT count. Deceased children and those removed from custody are excluded.

Age & English Requirements

Age: No age requirement. | English: No English test required.

Health and Character

Health: Medical examination, chest X-ray (15+ years), blood tests (HIV, Hep B, Hep C) through approved panel physicians. Character: Police clearances from all countries where you lived 12+ months in past 10 years.

Assurance of Support

May be required for 4 years. Sponsor demonstrates financial capacity and pays refundable bond of $5,000 (one adult) or $7,000 (two adults). Refunded after 4 years if no social security claimed.

Offshore Application (Critical)

Must be outside Australia when applying AND when granted. No exceptions. Consider Subclass 804 if you're 67+ and in Australia.

Family Inclusion

Can include partner (reduced fees $4,705) and dependent children. All must be offshore when applying and granted.

Your Success Depends on Your Points Score!

Calculate your skilled visa points

Step-by-Step 103 Visa Process

Step 1

Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment

Our MARA registered agents assess the Balance of Family Test, confirming at least half of your children live permanently in Australia. We verify sponsorship eligibility and offshore requirements, discussing realistic processing timeframes and visitor visa options during the queue period.

Step 2

Document Preparation & Sponsorship

We guide you in collecting identity documents, relationship proof for all children, and sponsorship applications. Our team ensures all documents meet Department standards with proper NAATI-certified translations and certifications. We prepare Form 40 sponsorship and Assurance of Support if required.

Step 3

Application Lodgement & Queue Placement

Your complete application is lodged while outside Australia. Form 47PA is completed with 100% accuracy, all documents properly attached, and government fees paid. You receive queue placement acknowledgement with your unique file number and queue date.

Step 4

Long-Term Queue Management

The Migration provides tracking throughout the 30-33 year processing period, maintaining updated contact information and sending annual queue progression updates. We alert you when your application approaches final assessment (typically 6-12 months before grant).

Step 5

Final Assessment & Visa Grant

When the Department requests final documents, we assist with updated health examinations, current police clearances, and second instalment payment ($2,065 per person). Once approved, you receive your permanent visa grant. You must be outside Australia when granted.

Cost Breakdown and Visa Process Time

Visa fees and processing times are based on official Department of Home Affairs data, accurate as of January 2025. Fees are subject to change annually.

Subclass 189 Visa Fees

Processing time 190 Visa

🎯 99% Success Rate

Our clients get their 190 visas approved

⚡ Faster Processing

Complete applications reduce delays

🛡️ MARA Protection

Fully licensed MARA agents

How We Maximize Your Success

Our expert guidance and proven strategies significantly improve your chances of visa approval.

Strategic Pathway Planning

We compare all parent visa options (103, 143, 804, 870, 173) analyzing cost vs processing time trade-offs. We help determine if $41,000 savings of 103 justifies 15+ year longer wait vs 143, or recommend combination strategies like using 870 temporary visas while in 103 queue.

MARA Registered Expertise

All work conducted by MARA registered agents with 8+ years in family migration. We understand Balance of Family Test complexities, policy changes, and long-term processing management. Professional indemnity insurance and regulatory oversight protect clients.

Comprehensive Documentation (AO-Ready)

We prepare applications to Assessing Officer standards with comprehensive family tree evidence, relationship proof from all children, certified translations by NAATI translators, and proper certifications. Our 99% documentation accuracy prevents delays from requests for information.

Long-Term Case Management (30+ Years)

We provide specialized tracking throughout the three-decade processing: queue monitoring, annual progression updates, generational support as families change, pre-decision alerts, and experience with complex scenarios (blended families, adoptions, multi-country histories).

Start Your Parent Visa Journey

Complete our free online assessment to verify you meet the Balance of Family Test and eligibility criteria for the non-contributory Parent Visa Subclass 103.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Parent Visa Subclass 103?

Permanent residence visa for parents of Australian citizens/PRs/eligible NZ citizens, allowing permanent stay with work rights and Medicare.

How long does it take?

Approximately 30-33 years. Department currently processing June 2013 applications (October 2025).

How much does it cost?

Government fees: ~$7,345 (primary applicant). Total with medical exams, police checks: $8,500-$11,000.

What is the balance of family test?

At least 50% of children must live permanently in Australia, OR more children in Australia than any other single country. Only citizens/PRs/eligible NZ citizens usually resident in Australia count. Cannot be waived.

Can I stay in Australia while waiting?

No, must be outside Australia when applying and granted. Can visit on separate visitor visas (600, 870) during queue.

What documents are required?

Identity documents, birth certificates of all children, sponsorship forms (Form 40, Form 47PA), police clearances, health examinations, Balance of Family Test evidence, certified translations.

Difference between 103 and 143?

103: ~$7,345, 30-33 years. 143: ~$48,640, 12-15 years. Both grant permanent residency.

Can I include my spouse?

Yes, with reduced fees ($4,705 total). Both must be offshore when applying and granted.

What if circumstances change?

Notify the Department using Form 1022. Changes to children’s residency may affect Balance of Family Test eligibility.