Corporate Migration Services
Parent Visas for Australia (subclass 103, 143, 804, 864, 870)
Navigating the migration process can feel overwhelming, but with MigrationBuro, you are never alone.
Australian permanent residents and citizens can sponsor a parent for an Australian visa. The pathways divide into two broad categories: non-contributory (slower, lower government charge) and contributory (faster, higher government charge). The word "faster" is relative: even contributory parent visas have multi-year wait times for offshore applications.
Honest advice on parent visas begins with queue times. The non-contributory parent visa (subclass 103) has an estimated wait of approximately 33 years for new applications. The contributory parent visa (subclass 143) has an estimated wait of twelve to fifteen years. The temporary contributory parent visa (subclass 870) gives parents a bridge while waiting for the permanent visa queue.
This page maps the main parent visa subclasses and the realistic options for Australian families.
PARENT VISA SUBCLASSES: WHICH IS WHICH
Subclass 103 (Non-contributory, offshore): the cheapest option. Queue: approximately 33 years for new applications. Only suitable for parents with a very long planning horizon.
Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent, offshore): significantly higher government charge but dramatically shorter queue than the 103. Estimated twelve to fifteen years for new applications. The most common permanent parent visa for offshore parents.
Subclass 173 (Temporary Contributory Parent, offshore): a two-year temporary visa that allows the parent to come to Australia while waiting in the 143 queue. Can transition to the 143 on grant.
Subclass 804 (Non-contributory, onshore): the onshore equivalent of the 103 for parents already in Australia. Same long queue.
Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent, onshore): for parents already in Australia who are of retirement age. Shorter queue than the 804. Higher government charge.
Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent, temporary): a three or five-year temporary visa with two possible grants (ten years maximum). Not a pathway to permanent residence on its own. Allows parents to spend extended time in Australia while not committing to the permanent visa queue.
HOW TO APPROACH A PARENT VISA APPLICATION
Step 1 Consultation
Consultation. We map the realistic options for your family situation: where the parent is, age, health, how long they can realistically wait, and whether the temporary 870 serves the short-term need.
Step 2 Balance of family test
Balance of family test. Most parent visas require the parent to pass the balance of family test: at least half of the parent children must be settled in Australia, or more children settled in Australia than in any other single country.
Step 3 Lodge the application
Lodge the application. For contributory visas (143, 864): lodge the visa application and pay the first instalment of the visa application charge. For the 870: lodge the temporary application for shorter-term stay.
Step 4 Wait in queue
Wait in queue. Processing times are published by the Department. MigrationBuro monitors queue position and manages any correspondence during the wait.
Step 5 Second instalment and grant
Second instalment and grant. For the 143 and 864, a second instalment of the government charge is payable before the permanent visa is granted. The second instalment is due on invitation to apply for the permanent stage.
Speak to a Migration agent
Call 1300 VISA OZ (1300 8472 69) to discuss employer sponsorship for your Brisbane business. Available Monday to Friday. Zoom consultations take 45-60 minutes and give you a clear answer on what is achievable.
Prefer to start in writing? Email info@migrationburo.com.au with the role title, the occupation, and the candidate's nationality and qualifications.
Your Australian Visa application
Some frequently asked questions
Answers to some questions we often hear from people in your situation.
How long does a parent visa take?
Non-contributory (103, 804): approximately 33 years. Contributory parent (143): twelve to fifteen years. Contributory Aged Parent (864): five to six years. Temporary Sponsored Parent (870): processed in months. These are indicative figures — confirm current queue dates with the Department.
What is the balance of family test?
To meet the balance of family test, at least half of the parent children must be settled permanently in Australia, or more of the parent children must be settled in Australia than in any other single country. Children who are deceased, Australian citizens, or permanent residents count as settled in Australia.
What is the subclass 870 Sponsored Parent visa?
A temporary visa of three or five years, with a possible second grant (ten years maximum). Not a permanent visa. Allows parents to live in Australia for extended periods without committing to the permanent visa queue. Requires an approved sponsor and a health insurance requirement.
Can a parent work in Australia on a parent visa?
Contributory parent visas (143, 864) include work rights. The temporary sponsored parent visa (870) does not include automatic work rights.
What is the second instalment for contributory parent visas?
The contributory parent visas (143, 864) have a two-stage government charge. The first instalment is paid at lodgement. The second instalment is paid when invited to apply for the permanent stage. The second instalment is substantial — confirm the current charge with MigrationBuro at consultation.
Migration experience you can trust
MigrationBuro are your trusted migration agents in Brisbane. Founded and led by Andrew Heathcote, we specialise in Australian immigration services. With over 18 years of experience, Andrew is a registered migration agent (MARN) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, ensuring expert guidance through every step of the immigration process.
