Parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen can apply for a Parent Visa in Australia. Depending on their age and the duration of their intended residence, parents can choose from a few categories of Parent Visas. Parents must meet the balance-of-family test and other criteria as set by the Australian government to be eligible for Parent Visa. Parents meet the balance-of-family test if:
- at least half of their children and stepchildren are eligible children, or
- there are more eligible children than children living in any other single country.
Types of Parent visa
Temporary Parent Visa options allow parents to live in Australia for 2 years with the option to apply for a permanent Parent Visa. Permanent Parent Visas allow parents to live in Australia for 5 years with the option to extend their visa and continue to stay lawfully in Australia. Parents can also access the Australian public healthcare scheme (Medicare) and enjoy unrestricted work and study rights under the permanent Parent Visas scheme. Eventually parents can become eligible for citizenship.
Temporary Parent Visas:
- Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 173
- Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 884
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 870
Permanent Parent Visas:
- Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143
- Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864
- Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804
The application cost and processing times of each type of Parent Visa varies depending on the category of visa chosen. The Contributory Parent Visa category has more spaces available in the migration skills program every year. The processing time of applications under the Contributory Parent Visa category is shorter than the other categories, however the cost of application charges is significantly higher.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Subclass 173
This visa allows parents to live temporarily in Australia for 2 years. Parents must be sponsored by an eligible child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen and meet other requirements as set by the Australian Government.
Those who have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 870 are not eligible to apply for this visa. Holders of this visa can’t extend or reapply for the same visa but can apply for a different visa, such as permanent Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143.
While this visa offers unrestricted work and study rights, and access to Australia’s public health care scheme (Medicare), it does not provide access to government support.
Parents can apply for this visa outside of Australia. Applications for this visa can also be made onshore but will depend on the type of the visa already held and attached conditions.
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 884
This visa can only be applied by a parent who is has attained the Australian pension age. Parents must be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Parents must also meet other eligibility criteria.
Holders of this visa can live in Australia for 2 years and cannot reapply for the same visa or extend it. Parents wishing to settle in Australia have the option to apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 before the expiration of this visa.
The benefit of applying for Contributory Aged Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary) Visa Subclass 884 first and then applying for Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 is the ability to spread the cost of the visa across two years.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 870
Parents can stay in Australia up to 3 or 5 years under this category of Parent Visa with the option to apply for further visas to visit Australia for a cumulative period of 10 years maximum. Further applications cannot be made under this scheme, but parents can apply for another visa if needed. This visa does not offer work rights in Australia.
An approved Parent sponsor is required for this visa. Applications must be made online and outside of Australia within 6 months of approval of sponsorship. If permitted, applications can be lodged while in Australia, but it must be within 60 days of approval of sponsorship.
Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143
This is a permanent visa option that allows parents to live in Australia indefinitely. Parents must be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Parents must meet other criteria as set by the Australian government.
Holders of this visa are eligible for Australian public health care scheme (Medicare) and certain security payments. This visa offers unrestricted work and study rights. Parents who hold this visa can apply for Australian citizenship if they are eligible.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864
This permanent visa is only available for parents who have attained the pension age in Australia. Parents have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen who can sponsor them and meet other criteria set by the Australian government.
This visa allows parents to live in Australia permanently. Holders of this visa are eligible to enrol in the Australian public health care scheme and have full working and studying rights.
Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804
Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 is permanent visa option for parents who have attained the pension age in Australia. Unless they have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 870, parents who have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen are eligible to apply for this visa.
The main differences between the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 and Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 are the cost of application charge and the processing times.
Parents must meet other essential criteria to be eligible for this visa.
Parent Visa Subclass 103
This is a permanent visa option available to parents who have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen are eligible to apply for this visa. Parents must meet all visa conditions and follow the Australian law to be eligible for this visa.
Parents who have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) are not eligible to apply.
The main differences between the Parent Visa Subclass 103 and Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 884 are the requirement for the parent to attain pension age in Australia, the cost of application charge and the processing times.
We can help you
As you might have noted, choosing a Parent Visa specific to your circumstance can be confusing. The requirements to meet several criteria to be eligible for Parent Visa can be cumbersome and often confusing. We can make this process easy for you by assisting you to choose the right Parent Visa for you and with your application. Contact us for consultation.
Note: The information provided on this page is intended for general purpose only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions, contact us so that we can assist you further.