Parents and their adult daughter together in an Australian waterfront park

Australia Parent Visa: Choosing the Right Pathway for Your Parents

Bringing parents to Australia is one of the most emotional and most complicated decisions in family migration. Many Australian citizens and permanent residents want their parents close, to share family life, to help with children and to care for them as they age. The parent visa system is built around a different reality. Places are limited, costs can be very high, and the wait can range from a few years to several decades depending on the visa.

There is no single parent visa. Australia has a group of parent and family visas, each with its own cost, timeline and conditions. Some are permanent and some are temporary. Some require a large payment up front and offer a shorter wait, while others cost far less but sit in a very long queue. The right choice depends on your parents' age and health, your family's budget, your own circumstances as the sponsor and how long you are prepared to wait.

This page is a planning guide for families deciding what to do. It explains the options, how to compare them, how to think about cost and time, what a visit can and cannot achieve, what sponsors should plan for and which mistakes to avoid. The detailed requirements for each visa, such as the balance of family test, document lists and step by step lodgement, are on the dedicated pages for the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804, the Contributory Parent Visas Subclasses 143, 173, 864 and 884 and the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870, so this page does not repeat them in full.

If you would like your family's situation reviewed by a person, Migration Factor offers a free consultation. You can request a free consultation through our contact form. Nothing on this page guarantees a visa outcome or a timeframe. Rules, charges, caps and processing times change, so confirm the current position with the Department of Home Affairs before you lodge.

On this page

The Parent Visa Options at a Glance

The main options for parents fall into a small number of groups.

Non contributory permanent visas. These have the lowest visa application charges and the longest queues. The Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 is the onshore example for parents aged at least 67 who are already in Australia
Contributory permanent visas. These cost much more because the applicant pays a substantial contribution toward the costs of ongoing care, but the wait is far shorter. They include the Contributory Parent Visas Subclasses 143 and 864
Contributory temporary visas. The Subclasses 173 and 884 allow a parent to live in Australia for a period of years and then move to the permanent visa
Sponsored temporary visa. The Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 lets parents stay for a limited period of three or five years with a sponsor who meets an income test
Visitor visas. Short visits, which are not a pathway to permanent residence

Other family visas may apply in limited situations, such as visas for aged dependent relatives or carers. These have strict criteria and long queues, so check carefully whether they apply to your parents.

Home Affairs: parent visa options ↗

How to Choose Between the Options

Most families can narrow the choice by working through a handful of questions.

How old are your parents, and how is their health? Age affects eligibility for some visas, and health affects every visa
Where are your parents now? Some visas are lodged from inside Australia and some from outside, so location matters
How long can the family wait? A visa that takes many years is not suitable for a parent who needs support now
What can the family afford? The difference between a low cost visa and a contributory visa can be very large
Does the family pass the balance of family test? Most permanent parent visas require that at least half of the parent's children live permanently in Australia, or that more of them live in Australia than in any one other country
Can the sponsor meet the sponsor requirements? Income, status and willingness to provide a financial undertaking all matter
What happens if the visa is granted for a limited period? Temporary visas end, and the family should have a plan for what comes next

A consultation before you lodge can help you compare the options with your own numbers, because the best answer for one family is rarely the best answer for another.

Thinking About Cost

Costs vary enormously between parent visas, and the cheapest visa on paper is not always the best choice.

Practitioner sources report that the non contributory Subclass 804 application charge is about AUD 8,665 for the main applicant, paid in two instalments, plus the costs of an assurance of support bond
Practitioner sources report that contributory parent visas can cost roughly AUD 95,000 for a couple across both instalments, plus an assurance of support bond
Practitioner sources report that the Subclass 870 costs about AUD 6,370 for three years or AUD 12,440 for five years, plus a sponsorship charge

These figures come from migration practitioners and the sources differ on some amounts and dates, so confirm exact charges in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you plan around any number. Charges are not refunded if an application is refused, which is one reason to choose carefully.

Visa charges are only one part of the cost. Plan also for:

Health examinations and police certificates
Certified translations and document copies
Health insurance, which may be required for some temporary visas, and medical costs while your parents are in Australia
Housing and living costs for your parents, either with you or separately
Flights and the costs of moving
Professional help, if you choose to use it

Home Affairs: Visa Pricing Estimator ↗

Thinking About Time

Time matters as much as money. The difference between the visas is not a matter of months. Practitioner sources report that the non contributory queue for new applications can be around thirty years or more, while contributory visas are reported to take a far shorter time, though still several years. The Subclass 870 has its own annual limit and timing. All of these figures change, and the Department's processing guidance is the place to check.

For this reason, some families decide that a very long queue is not realistic for their parents' age, and that a contributory visa or a temporary visa better fits their situation. Others lodge a queue application anyway to secure a place and plan to use a different option in the meantime. The choice is personal, and it should be made with accurate numbers.

Home Affairs: Parent visa queue release dates ↗

The Order in Which Applications Are Made

Some parent visas interact with each other. For example, there are rules about the order in which a family may apply for a sponsored temporary visa and a permanent parent visa. Applying in the wrong order, or applying for two visas at the same time when the rules do not allow it, can cause an application to fail. Check the current rules for your situation before you lodge anything, and keep a clear record of every application, charge and decision.

Visiting Versus Migrating

Many families ask whether their parents can simply visit for a long time instead. A visitor visa can allow a parent to spend time with family in Australia, but it is not a way to move permanently. The Department expects visitors to leave when the visa ends, and visitors cannot work.

On 17 September 2026, the Minister for Home Affairs announced that a no further stay provision would be attached to visitor visas. The Minister said it would have no effect on people already in Australia, and no start date has been given. If your parents plan to visit and then apply for a visa from inside Australia, the announced change may matter, but it is not yet in force, so do not assume how it will operate. Take advice before your parents travel, especially if the plan is to apply for a visa after they arrive.

For the requirements of a visit, see the dedicated visitor visa guidance. A visit can help a family spend time together while a longer term plan develops, but it should not be treated as a shortcut around the parent visa system.

Home Affairs: visitor visa reform announcement, 17 September 2026 ↗

What Sponsors Should Plan For

The sponsor, usually an adult child or the child's partner, takes on real responsibilities. Before you commit your family to a parent visa, think about the following.

Status and settlement. Sponsors generally need to be Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens, and settled in Australia. Check the current requirements
Financial capacity. Some visas have an income test for the sponsor, and many require an assurance of support, which is a financial commitment to the government
Housing. Where will your parents live, and does the home suit their needs
Health and care. What are your parents' care needs now, and how may they change over several years
Medical costs. Parents may not have access to the same public health benefits as residents, depending on their visa
Family agreement. The balance of family test and the family's expectations should be discussed openly, including with siblings
A backup plan. If an application is refused or a temporary visa ends, what will you do

An assurance of support is a legal commitment, not a formality. The amounts and periods have changed over time, and sources differ, so confirm the current requirements with the Department and Services Australia.

Health and Character

Parents applying for a visa generally need to meet health and character requirements. Health examinations are arranged through panel physicians, and police certificates are requested from countries where the applicant has lived for a set period. A significant health condition can affect an application, so it is wise to understand your parents' health position early. Certificates and examination results have limited validity, and a common problem is a document that expires while the application is waiting.

Example Scenarios

These simplified examples show how the same questions can lead to different answers. They are illustrations only and not advice for any real case.

Parents in their early sixties who want to join their children within a few years. A non contributory queue is unlikely to fit that timeline, so the family may compare a contributory visa with a temporary visa and weigh the cost carefully
Parents already in Australia who are in their late sixties, with children who can wait. The family may decide to lodge a queue application to secure a place, while using visits or a temporary visa to spend time together in the meantime
A sponsor with a strong income who wants a flexible arrangement. A sponsored temporary visa may suit, as long as the family understands that it ends after a set period and what comes next
A family with several siblings overseas. The balance of family test may be the deciding factor, and the family should work it out before paying any charge

In each case, the family's numbers, the parents' health and the sponsor's circumstances decide the answer, not a general rule.

A Planning Checklist for Families

Write down each parent's date of birth, location and health position
List every child, where they live and whether they are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
Check the balance of family test using that list
Confirm whether the sponsor meets the status and income requirements for the visas you are considering
Set a realistic budget for the visa charges, the assurance of support, medical costs and living costs
Decide how long the family can wait, and what the plan is while waiting
Check the order in which applications must be made
Gather identity, relationship and civil documents, with certified translations where needed
Book health examinations and police certificates only when the Department asks, so they do not expire
Take advice before you pay the first instalment

Mistakes Families Make

Choosing the cheapest visa without understanding the length of the queue
Choosing a contributory visa without budgeting for the full cost, including the second instalment
Not checking the balance of family test before paying a charge
Assuming a long visit will lead to a permanent stay
Applying for visas in the wrong order
Underestimating the sponsor's financial and care responsibilities
Letting health examinations or police certificates expire
Not telling the Department about changes such as a death in the family, a change of address or a change in a child's residence
Relying on an unregistered agent who promises a fast result
Not having a plan for when a temporary visa ends

Considerations for Families From Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

The visa rules are the same for every nationality, but families from South Asia often raise similar practical questions.

Many families are large, and the balance of family test counts children around the world, so gather accurate details of where each sibling lives
Documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and family registration records may need certified English translations, and names and dates must match
Parents often travel together, and the application should cover both parents correctly, including any other family members
Police certificates and medical examinations can take time to arrange, so start early
Parents may hold property, pensions or other ties at home, and families should plan how these will be handled during a long stay in Australia
Cultural expectations about care and living arrangements are important, and the family should talk openly about them before applying

Families from Europe and other regions face the same rules, although the documents differ.

How Professional Help Can Assist

A migration professional cannot shorten a queue, change a cap, guarantee a visa or make the Department decide faster. What a good adviser can do is help you compare the options with your own numbers, check the balance of family test, confirm that the sponsor is eligible, plan the order of applications, review your documents and advise you on what to do if your family's circumstances change.

That kind of review is most useful before you pay the first instalment, since charges are not refunded after a refusal. Make sure anyone you pay for immigration advice in Australia is appropriately authorised, and ask to see their registration details.

Why Consider Migration Factor

Migration Factor provides information and assistance on Australian visa pathways, including parent and family visas. We offer a free consultation where you can talk through your parents' situation, your budget and your options before deciding on your next step. To arrange one, request a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the options for bringing parents to Australia?

The main options are the non contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804, the contributory parent visas, the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 and visitor visas for short visits. The best choice depends on your parents' age, your budget and how long you can wait.

What is the balance of family test?

It is a test used for most permanent parent visas. In general, at least half of the parent's children must live permanently in Australia, or more of them must live in Australia than in any other single country. Check the current rule before you lodge.

Which parent visa is the fastest?

Contributory parent visas are generally reported to be much faster than non contributory visas, but they cost far more. Check the Department's processing guidance for the current position.

Which parent visa is the cheapest?

Non contributory visas have the lowest application charges, but the queue is reported to be extremely long. The Subclass 870 is a lower cost temporary option for families who meet the income test.

How much does a parent visa cost?

It varies a great deal. Sources report about AUD 8,665 for the Subclass 804, roughly AUD 95,000 for a couple on a contributory visa, and about AUD 6,370 or AUD 12,440 for the Subclass 870. Confirm exact amounts in the Visa Pricing Estimator.

How long does a parent visa take?

There is no fixed time. Sources report around thirty years or more for the non contributory queue and a much shorter wait for contributory visas. Check the Department's processing guidance.

What is an assurance of support?

It is a financial commitment given to the government that the parent will not need certain social security payments for a set period. Amounts and periods have changed, so confirm the current requirements.

Can my parents visit me instead?

Yes, a visitor visa allows a stay with family, but it is not a way to move permanently and visitors cannot work. A no further stay provision for visitor visas has been announced with no start date, so take advice if your parents plan to apply for another visa after arriving.

Can my parents work in Australia?

Work rights depend on the visa. Many parent visas and visitor visas have restrictions, so check the conditions of the visa your parents hold.

Do I need a migration agent?

You do not have to use one, but a review before lodging can help you choose the right visa and avoid costly mistakes. Make sure anyone you pay for immigration advice is appropriately authorised.

Can Pakistani and Indian parents apply?

Yes. The same criteria apply to all nationalities. What matters is the parent's age and location, the balance of family test, the sponsor's eligibility and the family's budget and patience.

What happens if the visa is refused?

Read the decision carefully, because it explains the reasons and any review rights. Charges are not refunded after refusal, and time limits can apply, so seek advice quickly.

Next Step

If you are comparing parent visa options, checking the balance of family test or planning the budget for your parents' move, request a free consultation with Migration Factor. Please bring your parents' passport details, a list of where each sibling lives and a summary of your budget, so the conversation can be specific.

Planning information supplied by Migration Factor. Requirements, charges, program settings and processing times can change. Confirm the current official guidance and your individual circumstances before applying.

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