Parent Visa

Parent Visas enable parents of children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents to be sponsored for temporary or permanent residence in Australia. There are currently two different types of visa; the faster, more expensive Contributory Parent visa, and the slower, less expensive standard Parent visa. Please note: The Temporary Sponsored Parent visa is discussed separately.

Duration and Conditions

All permanent parent visas have the right to remain in Australia indefinitely, but a travel validity of 5 years from grant. The Contributory Parent (temporary) visas are valid for 2 years, during which time the applicant must lodge a permanent Contributory Parent visa application.

Criteria

The main criteria are as follows:

1. The parent must be sponsored by a child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The sponsor must be “settled" – generally, this means lawfully resident in Australia for at least 2 years, though a shorter time may be acceptable for Australian Citizens.
2. The applicant must pass the “balance of family test". That is, the number of children who are lawfully and permanently resident in Australia must be:
   • Greater than, or equal to, the total number of children who are resident overseas; or
   • Greater than the greatest number of children who are resident in any single overseas country.
3. An assurance of support is required in all cases.

CATEGORIES OF PARENT VISA:

Depending on the situation, the parent visa can be availed under the following,

• Offshore application – Parent Visa (Subclass 143 or 173)
• Onshore applications – Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) and Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)

PARENT VISA (SUBCLASS 143 OR 173) – OFFSHORE APPLICATION:

• Age of the parent should be under 65 years
• Applicants should meet the ‘Balance of family’ test
• Affordability to make a non-refundable deposit to the Government of Australia per migrating parent
• Visa processing time of approximately 24 months or more
• Parents should pass the authorised health and police checks

On the contrary, the onshore applications need the parents to be 65 years or above. These applicants can enter Australia on a visitor or tourist visa without the ‘No Further Stay’ condition. The parents can apply for the valid parent visa whilst in Australia.

AGED PARENT VISA (SUBCLASS 804) – ONSHORE APPLICATION:

Known for its long processing time, over 25 years, this visa allows the parents to live in Australia till the decision is pending. These parent applicants hold Bridging Visa A and should apply for Bridging Visa B if they want to temporarily depart from Australia.

CONTRIBUTORY AGED PARENT VISA (SUBCLASS 864) – ONSHORE APPLICATION:

This is a permanent visa, allowing the parent to,

• Stay indefinitely in Australia or apply for citizenship
• Study or work in Australia
• Enrol in Medicare Australia
• Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
• Travel to and from Australia upto 5 years from the date the visa was granted

Can I be in Australian when I apply?

It is possible to apply for a Parent visa from within Australia, however, it is only possible to lodge an onshore Aged Parent or Aged Contributory Parent visa and obtain a bridging visa to remain in Australia during processing if at least one of the applicants meets the age requirements as set for an Australian pension, as follows: