Australian Family Visas
Parent Visa Australia and Family Migration Overview
Compare Australian parent and family visa pathways, eligibility, costs, queues and sponsorship rules—with guidance from immigration solicitors.
Updated October 2026 · 18 min read min read
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Table of Contents
What are family visas in Australia?
Australian family visas let eligible relatives of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens live in Australia temporarily or permanently. Parent visas are the most common reason families contact us, but the Family Migration Program also covers partners, children and other relative categories.
Parents of settled children
Reunite with a son or daughter who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Most parent pathways require sponsorship, the balance of family test and (for many subclasses) an Assurance of Support.
Partners and fiancés
Separate partner visa streams apply—see the partner visas hub for subclasses 820/801, 309/100 and 300.
Children and other relatives
Child, carer, remaining relative and related subclasses sit alongside parent visas under the broader family program.
How the Family Migration Program works
- Annual planning levels — Permanent parent visas are capped each Migration Program year. Once places are filled, no further permanent parent grants are made that year.
- Queueing — Non-contributory parent visas are subject to capping and queueing, so demand often exceeds places.
- Temporary options — The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) offers longer stays without permanent residence; see our sponsored parent visa page.
Parent visa pathways at a glance
Choosing the right parent visa depends on your parent's age, whether they are in or outside Australia, how quickly they need to migrate, and your budget for government charges and Assurance of Support bonds.
Subclass 103 / 804
Non-contributory parent (103 / 804)
Permanent parent visas with lower government charges and long capped queues. Subclass 103 is offshore; subclass 804 is for aged parents onshore.
Non-contributory guideSubclass 143 / 864
Contributory parent (143 / 864)
Higher charges and Assurance of Support bonds, but generally faster than non-contributory queues. Subclass 143 offshore; subclass 864 aged onshore.
Contributory guideSubclass 173 / 884
Temporary contributory (173 / 884)
Two-stage contributory pathway that spreads cost before the permanent visa. Total cost is higher than lodging directly for subclass 143 or 864.
Contributory pathwaysSubclass 870
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (870)
Extended stays of up to 3 or 5 years per grant without permanent residence. No balance of family test for most families.
Subclass 870 guideContributory vs non-contributory parent visas
Most families weigh two permanent parent pathways: pay lower visa charges and wait in a long queue, or pay substantially more for a contributory visa that is usually decided sooner.
Cost and queue trade-offs (indicative)
| Non-contributory (103 / 804) | Contributory (143 / 864) | |
|---|---|---|
| Government charges | Lower — subclass 103 from AUD8,665 for a single applicant in two instalments | Higher charges plus Assurance of Support bonds |
| Processing | Capped and queued; no fixed timeframe | Generally faster than non-contributory queues |
| Permanent residence | Yes | Yes |
| Assurance of Support | Required (unless retiree pathway) | Required |
Media reports cite very long waits for non-contributory visas and shorter waits for contributory visas, with higher total cost. Treat press figures as context only; check the Department's queue release dates for your subclass.
When contributory pathways may suit
Contributory visas may suit families who need a parent in Australia sooner and can fund higher charges and the Assurance of Support.
When non-contributory pathways may suit
Non-contributory visas may suit families who can wait and want to minimise upfront government cost. Compare streams on our parent visa comparison page when published, or ask our solicitors for a tailored comparison.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)
Not a permanent parent visa
Subclass 870 lets eligible parents visit for extended periods but does not lead to permanent residence. You cannot hold subclass 870 and later lodge most permanent parent visas without meeting separate rules.
- Length of stay — Grants can allow stays of up to three or five years at a time.
- Program cap — Industry summaries refer to an annual cap on subclass 870 grants (commonly cited as 15,000 places per program year). Confirm the current cap with the Department before you lodge.
- No balance of family test — Unlike permanent parent visas, subclass 870 does not require the balance of family test.
Approved sponsors must meet income thresholds, provide accommodation and financial support, and may be liable for public health debts their parent incurs in Australia. Full requirements are on the sponsored parent visa page.
Who can apply and who can sponsor?
Parent visa rules split into who may apply as a parent, who may sponsor them, and shared tests such as the balance of family test and Assurance of Support.
Parent applicant requirements
- Relationship — You must be the parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Step-parent relationships can qualify in limited circumstances.
- Age — "Aged" parent visas (804, 864) require the applicant to meet the pension age in Australia at lodgement.
- Health and character — Standard health and character requirements, including police certificates where required.
- Debts to Australia — Applicants and sponsors must not owe certain debts to the Australian Government, or arrangements must be in place to repay them.
Sponsor requirements
- Settled child — The sponsor is usually your child who is settled in Australia, aged 18 or older.
- Sponsorship approval — Obtain approval to sponsor before or as part of the visa application, depending on the subclass.
- Assurance of Support — For most permanent parent visas, an Assurance of Support must be lodged and bonds paid before grant.
- Balance of family test — At least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, or more children must live in Australia than in any other single country. Does not apply to subclass 870.
Balance of family test and Assurance of Support
The balance of family test and Assurance of Support are central to most permanent parent applications. Planning both early avoids costly rework.
Balance of family test
| Who counts as a child | Your children and your partner's children, including step-children, subject to age and dependency rules |
| Pass test | At least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country |
| Does not apply to | Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) |
Children are usually counted as living in a country if they are usually resident there. Get advice if your family is spread across several countries—the arithmetic is strict.
Assurance of Support (AoS)
| Purpose | A legal undertaking that the visa holder will not rely on certain social security payments in their first years in Australia |
| Who gives it | Usually the sponsor or another eligible assurer approved by Services Australia |
| Financial bonds | Lump-sum bonds lodged with the Department; amounts depend on the visa and family unit |
| Timing | Must be approved and bonds paid before visa grant for most permanent parent subclasses |
Costs, caps and processing times
Budget for visa application charges (often in instalments), Assurance of Support bonds, health examinations, police certificates and professional fees. Processing depends on subclass, cap and queue position.
Indicative government charges (verify before lodgement)
| Visa | Indicative charge (single applicant) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Parent (103) | From AUD8,665 in two instalments | Second instalment before grant |
| Contributory Parent (143) | Higher than 103; check current schedule | Plus AoS bonds |
| Aged Parent (804) / Contributory Aged (864) | Onshore aged pathways | Pension age at application |
| Sponsored Parent (870) | Separate fee schedule | Temporary only |
Use the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator for your family unit. Figures are government charges only.
Processing picture (indicative only)
Bar length is illustrative—not a published Department timeframe.
The Department publishes queue release dates for capped parent visas. Do not rely on media timelines for planning—use official queue data and legal advice.
How to apply for a parent visa
Most permanent parent visas are lodged in ImmiAccount; sponsorship and Assurance of Support run in parallel with the visa case.
Choose subclass and confirm eligibility
Compare age, onshore vs offshore location, balance of family test, cost and timing before you lodge.
Sponsorship approval
The Australian child usually applies to be approved as a sponsor (or lodges sponsorship with the visa, depending on subclass).
Lodge the visa application
Gather identity and relationship evidence, health examinations and police certificates. Most permanent parent visas are lodged in ImmiAccount.
Pay instalments and meet Assurance of Support
Pay the second visa charge when invoiced. Lodge the Assurance of Support, pass assurer income tests and pay bonds before grant.
Decision and grant
Read grant conditions on work, travel and Medicare. If refused, strict merits review deadlines apply—get legal advice immediately.
For subclass 870, the sponsor applies for approval first, then the parent lodges the temporary visa. See the sponsored parent visa page.
Other family visa categories
Parent visas are only one part of Australia's family migration program. Related pathways may suit other relatives or sit alongside a parent application.
Partner visas
If your family member is your spouse or de facto partner rather than a parent, partner visa subclasses apply instead.
Partner visas overviewChild visas
Dependent children may qualify for separate child visa subclasses with their own sponsors, caps and processing rules.
Other relative and visitor pathways
Remaining relative, aged dependent relative and carer visas cover narrower situations. Short visits use visitor visas—holding the wrong visa while intending to stay permanently can breach conditions. Plan the correct stream from the start.
Parent and family visa FAQs
The Department lists the subclass 103 charge from AUD8,665 for a single applicant, paid in two instalments.
Subclass 870 lets a parent visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per grant, depending on the option chosen.
Yes. A limited number of permanent Parent visa places are available each Migration Program year, and grants stop once the cap is reached.
You cannot apply for the Parent visa (subclass 103) if you have already applied for or hold the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870).
A parent visa lets the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia permanently or temporarily, depending on subclass. Permanent subclasses include contributory (143/864) and non-contributory (103/804) visas. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) allows longer stays without permanent residence.
Non-contributory parent visas are capped and queue-dated; waits can span many years. Contributory parent visas are generally decided faster but still depend on demand and completeness of your application. Check the Department's queue release dates for your subclass.
You pass if at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country. It applies to most permanent parent visas, not subclass 870.
It is a legal commitment, usually backed by a bond, that the visa holder will not draw specified social security payments in their early years in Australia. Most permanent parent visas require an approved Assurance of Support before grant.
Yes. Australian permanent residents can sponsor eligible parents for many parent visa subclasses, subject to sponsorship approval, the balance of family test (where it applies) and other criteria.
Parent visas are for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents, not for aunts sponsoring nieces or nephews. Other family visa subclasses (such as remaining relative or child visas) may apply in rare circumstances, but there is no general "niece sponsorship" parent pathway.
Non-contributory visas have lower charges but long queues. Contributory visas have higher charges and Assurance of Support costs but are generally processed faster. Both can lead to permanent residence if granted.
Permanent parent visa holders generally have full work rights in Australia. Subclass 870 temporary sponsors should confirm conditions on the grant notice.
Some aged parent visas (804, 864) are designed for onshore lodgement. Lodging the wrong subclass while on a visitor visa can trigger schedule 3 restrictions or "no further stay" conditions. Get legal advice before your parents travel.
Speak with a migration solicitor about parent visas
Caps, charges and queue dates change each Migration Program year. We help families compare pathways before you commit to a lodgement strategy.
Or email us at info@m2migration.com.au