Bringing your mum or dad to live with you in Australia is one of the most common reasons families look at the migration system. It is also one of the most misunderstood. A parent visa Australia application can cost less than $9,000 or more than $49,900 per parent, and the wait can stretch from a few years to more than three decades, depending entirely on which visa you choose.
The pressure on the program has rarely been higher. More than 100,000 parent visa applications are now sitting in the queue, while the government grants only about 8,500 parent places each year. That gap is what creates the long waits you have probably read about, and it is why choosing the right visa from the start matters so much.
This guide explains every parent visa subclass, what each one costs in 2026, how long you can realistically expect to wait based on the Department of Home Affairs queue release dates as at 31 March 2026, and how the contributory parent visa compares with the cheaper non-contributory options. By the end, you will know which pathway fits your family and your budget.
| Australia offers two broad parent visa families. Contributory visas (subclasses 143, 173, 864 and 884) cost around $49,900 per parent but are released for final processing within roughly 12 to 15 years.
Non-contributory visas (subclasses 103 and 804) cost only a few thousand dollars, but new applications are now estimated to take about 33 years to finalise. If your parents simply want to visit for long stays rather than settle permanently, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) or a Visitor visa (subclass 600) is usually the better fit. |
Parent visas in Australia at a glance
A parent visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia. Most parent visas lead to permanent residence, and from there to citizenship. One visa, the subclass 870, is temporary only and is designed for long visits rather than settlement.
Every permanent parent visa is sponsored, almost always by the applicant’s child living in Australia. Everyone is also subject to two tests that catch many families by surprise: the balance of family test and, for the older subclasses, an age requirement. We cover both in detail below.
The single most important decision is contributory versus non-contributory. It determines almost everything else — the cost, the wait, and whether the visa is realistic for your family at all. The table later in this guide (Contributory vs non-contributory: side by side) lays the two families out next to each other.
Contributory vs non-contributory parent visas
The names are not marketing labels. They describe how much the applicant pays towards the cost of the public services a permanent resident is likely to use, such as Medicare.
Contributory parent visas
Contributory visas carry a large second instalment, currently $43,600 per parent. In return for that payment, the government processes them far faster than the non-contributory stream. They suit families who can fund the higher charge and who do not want to wait several decades.
The contributory subclasses are 143 and 864 (permanent) and 173 and 884 (temporary, leading to the permanent versions). The 173 and 884 let you spread the second instalment by paying a smaller amount now and the balance later when you move to the permanent visa.
Non-contributory parent visas
Non-contributory visas — subclasses 103 and 804 — cost only a few thousand dollars. The trade-off is the wait. Because so few places are set aside for this stream each year, the Department now estimates new applications will take around 33 years to finalise. For most applicants, that timeframe is simply not workable, although the visa can still suit some older parents already in Australia who want to hold a place in the queue.
| Why is the wait so long
Parent visas are ‘capped and queued’. The government sets a maximum number of places each program year. Once that number is reached, no more parent visas can be granted until the next year, and everyone else waits in a queue assessed in lodgement-date order. With roughly 8,500 places against more than 100,000 applications, the queue grows faster than it clears — which is exactly why the headline wait times keep climbing. |
Every parent visa subclass explained
There are seven parent visa subclasses. Here is what each one is for and who it suits.
Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent visa (permanent)
The most popular permanent parent visa. You apply from outside or inside Australia, pay the contributory charge, and receive permanent residence. It suits parents of any age whose family can fund the second instalment and who want a faster outcome.
Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent visa (temporary)
A two-year temporary visa that lets you pay the second instalment in two parts. You pay a smaller amount now, then the balance when you move to the permanent subclass 143. It helps families who cannot pay the full charge upfront.
Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent visa (permanent)
The same as the 143, but for applicants who are old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension and who are already in Australia on a substantive visa when they apply. It is an onshore visa, which means applicants can usually stay in Australia on a bridging visa while it is processed.
Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent visa (temporary)
The onshore, aged equivalent of the 173. You hold it temporarily, pay part of the contribution, then move to the permanent 864 and pay the balance.
Subclass 103 – Parent visa (non-contributory, permanent)
The low-cost permanent option. You can apply from anywhere, but new applications are estimated to take about 33 years. In practice, it is mainly used by families who want to secure a queue position and are not in a hurry.
Subclass 804 – Aged Parent visa (non-contributory, permanent)
The onshore, low-cost option for parents already in Australia who are of Age Pension age. Like the 103, the wait is very long, but because it is onshore, many applicants can remain in Australia on a bridging visa with work and Medicare rights while they wait.
Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa
Not a path to permanent residence, and the only parent visa that does not require the balance of family test. It lets a parent stay in Australia for up to three or five years at a time, with a maximum of ten years across the life of the visa. The sponsoring child must be approved as a sponsor and meet an income threshold. It suits families who want long, repeated stays without committing to the cost or wait of a permanent visa.
How much does a parent visa cost in 2026?
Cost is the headline difference between the two streams. A contributory parent visa costs from about $49,900 per parent, while a non-contributory visa costs from roughly $8,665 per parent. The table below shows the 2026-27 Visa Application Charges. Charges are usually indexed each 1 July upward, so confirm the current figures on the Department of Home Affairs website before you pay.
| Visa | First instalment (main applicant) | Second instalment (per applicant) | Indicative total per parent |
| 143 Contributory Parent | $6,300 | $43,600 | From ~$49,900 |
| 864 Contributory Aged Parent | $6,300 | $43,600 | From ~$49,900 |
| 173 Contributory Parent (temp) | $4,245 | Part $29,130 now, balance at 143 stage | Spread over two stages |
| 884 Contributory Aged Parent (temp) | $6,300 | Part $29,130 now, balance at 864 stage | Spread over two stages |
| 103 Parent | $6,600 | ~$2,065 | From ~$8,665 |
| 804 Aged Parent | $6,600 | ~$2,065 | From ~$8,665 |
| 870 Sponsored Parent (temp) | From $6,370 (3 yrs) / $12,440 (5 yrs) | Not applicable | Plus sponsorship fee |
Figures are 2025–26 Visa Application Charges and exclude an additional charge for each accompanying adult applicant. Always verify current amounts on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
The Assurance of Support bond
Contributory parent visas also require an Assurance of Support. This is a legally binding promise, lodged through Services Australia, that the sponsor will repay the government for certain welfare payments the parent claims during the support period. It comes with a refundable bond:
- $10,000 for a single parent, held for 10 years
- $14,000 for a couple applying together, held for 10 years
The bond is returned at the end of the period, provided no recoverable payments were claimed. Treat it as money set aside, not money spent.
Other costs to budget for
Beyond the visa charges, plan for health examinations (roughly $400 to $500 per person), police certificates from every country lived in for 12 months or more over the past decade, certified translations of documents, and professional fees if you use a registered migration agent. None are large next to the contributory charge, but they add up.
Parent visa processing time: the queue, the cap and the 2026 release dates
The parent visa processing time is the part that most families underestimate. Because parent visas are capped and queued, the Department cannot give a fixed date. Instead, it publishes two things: the queue date it has reached for final processing, and an estimate for brand-new applications. Both were updated as of 31 March 2026.
Queue release dates as of 31 March 2026
As at 31 March 2026, the Department had released for final processing contributory applications with a queue date up to November 2018, and non-contributory parent and aged parent applications with a queue date up to July 2013. In other words, contributory applicants lodged in late 2018 are only now reaching the front of the line, and non-contributory applicants from 2013 are at the same point.
| Visa type | Released to (queue date) | New-application estimate |
| Contributory Parent (143) | Up to November 2018 | About 15 years |
| Contributory Parent temp (173) | Up to November 2018 | About 15 years |
| Contributory Aged Parent (864) | Up to November 2018 | About 15 years |
| Contributory Aged Parent temp (884) | Up to November 2018 | About 15 years |
| Parent (103) | Up to July 2013 | About 33 years |
| Aged Parent (804) | Up to July 2013 | About 33 years |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Parent visas queue release dates, current as at 31 March 2026. Estimates change as planning levels and application volumes shift.
What the 8,500 cap means in practice
The Migration Program sets aside about 8,500 parent places a year. Most of those go to the contributory stream, with a much smaller share for non-contributory visas. With more than 100,000 applications already lodged, the maths is unforgiving: even if no new applications were lodged, it would take many years to clear the existing queue. New applicants join the back of that line, which is why the non-contributory estimate now sits near 33 years.
The practical takeaway is simple. If a permanent outcome within your parents’ lifetime matters, the contributory stream is realistically the only permanent option, and lodging sooner secures an earlier queue date.
Who can apply: parent visa eligibility
Three requirements decide whether a parent can apply at all: the balance of family test, the sponsor, and, for the older subclasses, the applicant’s age.
The balance of family test
This test makes sure the parent has stronger ties to Australia than to any other country. A parent passes if either at least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country. Stepchildren count. Every permanent parent visa requires it; the temporary subclass 870 does not.
Worked example: a parent with four children — two in Australia, one in India and one in Canada — passes, because Australia (two) holds more children than any other single country. A parent with three children, only one of whom is in Australia, does not pass.
The aged parent age requirement
The onshore aged subclasses (804, 864 and 884) require the applicant to be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension — currently 67. Younger parents cannot use these onshore visas and apply instead through the 143 or 173. If you are unsure of the exact cut-off for your situation, our aged parent age requirement guide walks through it in detail.
The sponsor
The parent must be sponsored, usually by their child in Australia, who must be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, generally settled for at least two years and aged 18 or over. For the subclass 870, the sponsoring child must be separately approved as a sponsor and earn at least the income threshold (around $83,455), which a partner’s income can help meet.
Assurance of Support
As covered under costs, contributory visas require an Assurance of Support backed by a refundable bond. The assurer must pass an income test administered by Services Australia, so the sponsoring family needs to show it can support the parent financially.
Which parent visa is right for your family?
Match the visa to your goal and your budget rather than to the cheapest sticker price.
- You want permanent residence and can fund it: the subclass 143, or the 864 if your parent is onshore and of Age Pension age. The 173 or 884 if you need to spread the second instalment.
- You want permanent residence but cannot fund the contribution: the subclass 103 or 804. Be realistic about the 33-year estimate and treat it as securing a place in the queue.
- Your parents mainly want long visits: the subclass 870 for stays of up to five years at a time, or a Visitor visa (subclass 600) for shorter trips.
If your parents just want to spend extended time with you rather than emigrate, a temporary visa is almost always the smarter choice. Our guide on which visa is right for visiting parents compares the 870 and the Visitor visa side by side.
How to apply for a parent visa
The exact steps vary by subclass, but the path is broadly the same:
- Confirm eligibility — check the balance of family test, the sponsor’s status and, for aged visas, the age requirement.
- Choose your subclass based on cost, wait and whether your parent is onshore or offshore.
- Gather documents — identity, relationship evidence, health examinations and police certificates.
- Lodge the application and pay the first instalment to secure your queue date.
- Set up the Assurance of Support (contributory visas) through Services Australia.
- Respond promptly when the Department releases your application from the queue, and pay the second instalment if required.
Because the second instalment and the wait are so significant, many families have an eligibility check done before lodging to make sure the chosen subclass is the right one.
Contributory vs non-contributory: side by side
| Feature | Contributory (143/173/864/884) | Non-contributory (103/804) |
| Indicative cost per parent | From ~$49,900 | From ~$8,665 |
| Second instalment | $43,600 per parent | ~$2,065 per parent |
| New-application estimate | About 15 years | About 33 years |
| Queue released to (Mar 2026) | November 2018 | July 2013 |
| Assurance of Support | Required ($10k / $14k bond) | Not generally required |
| Balance of family test | Required | Required |
| Leads to permanent residence | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Families who can fund a faster outcome | Securing a long-term queue place |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a parent visa cost in Australia in 2026?
A contributory parent visa (subclass 143 or 864) costs from about $49,900 per parent — a first instalment of $6,300 plus a second instalment of $43,600. A non-contributory parent visa (subclass 103 or 804) costs from roughly $8,665 per parent. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) costs from $6,370 for three years or $12,440 for five years. Charges are indexed each 1 July, so confirm current figures with the Department of Home Affairs.
How long is the parent visa processing time?
As at 31 March 2026, new contributory applications are estimated at about 15 years, and new non-contributory applications at about 33 years. The Department had released contributory applications queued up to November 2018 and non-contributory applications queued up to July 2013, for final processing.
What is the difference between a contributory and a non-contributory parent visa?
A contributory parent visa carries a large second instalment (currently $43,600 per parent) but is processed far faster. A non-contributory parent visa costs only a few thousand dollars but is estimated to take around 33 years because very few places are set aside for it each year. Both lead to permanent residence.
Why is the parent visa queue so long?
Parent visas are capped and queued. The government grants only about 8,500 parent places a year, but more than 100,000 applications are in the queue. Once the annual cap is reached, no further parent visas can be granted until the next program year, so the queue clears slowly.
What is the balance of the family test?
It checks that a parent has stronger ties to Australia than to any other country. A parent passes if at least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or if more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country. It applies to all permanent parent visas, but not to the subclass 870.
How old does a parent have to be for an aged parent visa?
For the onshore aged parent visas (subclasses 804, 864 and 884), the applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension — currently 67. Younger parents apply through the subclass 143 or 173 instead.
Can my parents just visit Australia long-term instead of migrating?
Yes. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) allows stays of up to three or five years at a time, to a maximum of ten years, without the cost or wait of a permanent visa. A Visitor visa (subclass 600) suits shorter trips. Neither leads to permanent residence.
Is the Assurance of Support bond refundable?
Yes. The bond — $10,000 for one parent or $14,000 for a couple — is held for 10 years and returned at the end of that period, provided the parent did not claim recoverable welfare payments during the support period.
Should my parents apply for a contributory or non-contributory visa?
If a permanent outcome within a reasonable timeframe matters and the family can fund the contribution, the contributory stream is usually the only realistic permanent option. The non-contributory stream mainly suits families who want to secure a queue position and are not relying on a quick grant. A registered migration agent can confirm the best fit for your circumstances.
Get the right parent visa advice
Parent visas involve large sums of money and very long timeframes, so the cost of choosing the wrong subclass is high. Before you lodge, it pays to confirm the balance of the family test, the right subclass and the full cost for your family.
The team at Australia Migrate helps families weigh the contributory and non-contributory pathways, prepare a complete application and lodge it correctly the first time. Talk to our team to map out the best parent visa option for your situation.
This article is general information only and is current as of June 2026. It is not personal migration advice. Visa charges, processing times and policy settings change — always confirm current details with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
