The most common question we hear about parent visas is: "how long does it take?" The honest answer is not what most people want to hear. But understanding the reality upfront is better than finding out after you've lodged.
The Two Options
Australia has two main parent visa categories, and the difference between them is essentially a trade-off between money and time.
Non-Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 103 / 804)
Lower government fees — but the queue is currently over 20 years. The 103 is an offshore application; the 804 is for parents already in Australia. If you lodge a 103 today, your parents are looking at a multi-decade wait. For most families, this is simply not practical.
Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143 / 864)
Processed in approximately 3–5 years — much faster. But the cost is significant. Government fees are paid in two instalments. The second instalment, due before the permanent visa is granted, currently runs to approximately AUD 43,000 per person.
For two parents, total government fees alone exceed AUD 85,000. That's before agent fees, health assessments, or travel costs.
There is also a temporary version of each contributory visa (subclass 173 and 884) that processes at the same speed. Some families apply for the temporary visa first and then transition to the permanent when available — spreading the fee across a longer period.
The Balance of Family Test
Before you can sponsor a parent, they need to pass the balance of family test. Here's what it requires:
- At least half of the parent's children live permanently in Australia, or
- More of the parent's children live in Australia than in any other single country
For families with two children and both in Australia, this is obvious. For parents with children spread across multiple countries, the calculation requires careful analysis. Who counts? Stepchildren count. Legally adopted children count. Deceased children's children (the parent's grandchildren through a deceased child) can count. We work through this carefully at the pre-assessment.
The Assurance of Support
As the sponsor, you take on an assurance of support — a formal financial commitment that your parents won't need to rely on Australian welfare for a set period. This involves lodging a bond with the Department and accepting ongoing financial responsibility. The bond amount and the period of responsibility differ by visa subclass.
Managing the Wait
Most families manage the years-long 143 wait by having parents visit on visitor visas periodically. This works — but it needs careful handling.
Having a pending parent visa application on file raises questions for future visitor visa assessments. The Department may ask: if this person has a parent visa application pending, why would they leave at the end of a visitor visa? These concerns can be addressed, but they need to be addressed proactively in the visitor visa application — not ignored.
We advise families on how to structure visitor visa applications while a parent application is pending, to avoid the visitor visa being refused on temporary intent grounds.
Health Examinations
Parent visa applicants must undergo health examinations with a panel physician approved by the Department. Where a parent has a significant health condition, a health waiver may be required. We advise on this before lodging — a health matter that isn't addressed correctly at the start can cause significant delays.
What to Do First
- Check whether the balance of family test is met for each parent
- Decide which visa category is realistic — contributory or non-contributory
- Start gathering evidence: sponsor's citizenship or PR, parents' identity documents, evidence of children's status in each country
- Consider health matters early — particularly for older parents
Written by Zixuan Owen Yang, MARN 1808753, Genuine Migration & Education Australia, Adelaide SA.