Australia Parent Visa
Reunite Permanently
Bring your parents closer. Explore legal, long-term pathways to bridge the distance and build a future together in Australia.
Bring Your Parents
To Australia
For many Australian residents and citizens, the toughest part of migrating isn't the move itself—it's the distance from loved ones. If you're settled here and want to bring your parents closer, the Australia Parent Visa offers legal, long-term pathways for family reunification.
The Parent Visa allows parents of eligible biological, adoptive, or step-children to live in Australia temporarily or permanently. It supports family stability and ensures care for parents in their later life.
Contributory vs Non-Contributory
Contributory visas are faster but expensive (~$48k). Non-contributory are cheaper (~$6k) but wait times exceed 10 years (often up to 30 years).
Are You Eligible to Sponsor?
Australian PR/Citizen
Must be a citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen settled in Australia for 2+ years.
Financial Commitment
Agree to support parents financially and provide an Assurance of Support (AoS).
"Assurance of Support is a legal commitment to repay certain government benefits your parent may claim for up to 10 years."
How to Pass the Test?
To pass, one of the following must apply:
- 1
50% Rule
At least half of the children live lawfully and permanently in Australia.
- 2
Majority Rule
More children live in Australia than in any other single country.
Example: A parent has 4 children. 2 are in Australia (PR), 1 in India, 1 in Canada. Passes! (Half are in Australia).
Understanding the
Balance of Family Test
This test is a critical eligibility factor for almost all Parent Visas. It ensures that only parents with a strong family connection to Australia are prioritized for migration.
* Note: Children holding temporary visas (like student or visitor visas) are NOT counted as living in Australia for this test.
Compare Parent Visa Subclasses
Choose the pathway that best fits your family's timeline and financial capacity.
| Subclass | Location | Type | Wait Time | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 804 | Onshore | Permanent | 30+ years | ~$6,500 |
| 884 | Onshore | Temporary | 3–5 years | ~$33,000 |
| 864 | Onshore | Permanent | 4–6 years | ~$48,000 |
| 173 | Offshore | Temporary | 4–6 years | ~$31,000 |
| 143 | Offshore | Permanent | 4–6 years | ~$47,000 |
| 103 | Offshore | Permanent | 30+ years | ~$6,000 |
* Contributory visas (high cost) are processed faster. Non-contributory (low cost) lead to queues exceeding 30 years.
Aged Parent Visa (Onshore)
Available for parents who are already in Australia and meet the Age Pension age (currently 67+).
- Subclass 804: Long queue, lower cost.
- Subclass 884/864: Fast pathway, contributory cost.
- Includes Bridging Visa while waiting.
Parent Visa (Offshore)
Designed for parents currently living outside of Australia.
- Subclass 103: The low-cost, 30-year queue option.
- Subclass 173/143: Premium route to PR (4-6 years).
- Allows settlement and access to Medicare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Balance of Family Test?
To pass, at least half of your children must live legally and permanently in Australia, OR more of your children must live in Australia than in any other single country.
Can my parents apply while visiting Australia?
Yes, if they meet requirements for the Aged Parent Visa (804) or Contributory Aged Parent Visa (884/864). They must be in Australia on a valid visa without a 'No Further Stay' condition.
What's the difference between contributory and non-contributory?
Contributory visas (143, 864) are faster (4-6 years) but expensive (~$48k). Non-contributory (103, 804) are cheaper (~$6k) but have 30+ year queues.
Why GoAustraliaGo for Your Parent Visa?
"Applying for an Australian parent visa is complex. Mistakes or missing documents lead to years of delays. Our experts ensure your strategy is optimized based on location, age, and finances."
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