Parent Visas
Non-Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 103/804)
Reunite with your parents in Australia permanently – at a lower cost, with patience and the right strategy
Claim Your Free Parent Visa Assessment
Table of Contents
Why Choose m2 migration for Your Parent Visa
Fixed, Transparent Fees
No hidden costs or surprise charges. You'll receive a clear written quote before we begin, with flexible payment plans available.
High Success Rate
Our thorough approach and decision-ready applications result in consistently strong outcomes for our clients across all parent visa streams.
Clear, Proactive Communication
Regular updates in plain English, so you always know where your application stands and what happens next during the long processing journey.
About the Non-Contributory Parent Visa
The Non-Contributory Parent Visa pathway includes two subclasses designed for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who want to live permanently in Australia.
Understanding Your Options
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
- No age requirement
- Apply from outside Australia
- Must be outside Australia when visa is decided
- Leads to permanent residency
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
- Must be 67+ years old (age pension age)
- Apply from within Australia
- Granted Bridging Visa A during processing
- Leads to permanent residency
The Fundamental Trade-Off: Cost vs. Time
Non-contributory parent visas have much lower government fees compared to Contributory Parent Visas (143/864), but come with extremely long processing times—currently estimated at 25-30+ years. In contrast, contributory parent visas require a substantial financial investment but offer processing within 12-14 years.
This trade-off between cost and time is the most important strategic decision your family will make.
Eligibility Requirements
Core eligibility criteria for Non-Contributory Parent Visas
Core Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Sponsored by an eligible child
Your child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia (usually resident for at least 2 years)
- ✓Meet the Balance of Family Test
At least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, OR more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country
- ✓Age requirement (Subclass 804 only)
For the Aged Parent Visa (804), you must be old enough to receive the Australian age pension. As of 2025, this is age 67. The Parent Visa (103) has no age requirement.
- ✓Be in Australia (804) or outside Australia (103) when applying
Subclass 804 requires you to be in Australia on a valid visa at the time of application and decision. Subclass 103 requires you to be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.
- ✓Meet health and character requirements
You and any family members included in your application must undergo health examinations and provide police certificates
- ✓Have an Assurance of Support (AoS)
A formal commitment from an assurer (usually your sponsor) to provide financial support so you don't rely on social security payments. The AoS period for Non-Contributory Parent Visas is 4 years
- ✓No outstanding debts to the Australian Government
You must have repaid any debts to the Commonwealth, or have a formal arrangement in place
Detailed Age Requirements for 804 Visa
The age pension age in Australia is gradually increasing. As of 2025, you must be 67 years old to meet the age requirement for Subclass 804.
| Date of Birth | Minimum Age for 804 Visa |
|---|---|
| Before 1 July 1952 | 65 years |
| 1 July 1952 – 31 Dec 1953 | 65.5 years |
| 1 Jan 1954 – 30 June 1955 | 66 years |
| 1 July 1955 – 31 Dec 1956 | 66.5 years |
| 1 Jan 1957 onwards | 67 years |
Source: Department of Social Services
Benefits of the Non-Contributory Parent Visa
While the wait is long, the outcome provides permanent security and the ability to build a life in Australia with your family.
With a Non-Contributory Parent Visa (103 or 804), you can:
- Live permanently in Australia with your children and grandchildren
- Work and study without any restrictions
- Travel freely in and out of Australia for 5 years from the date of grant (you'll need a Resident Return Visa after that to maintain your permanent residency while traveling)
- Access Medicare – Australia's public healthcare system
- Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
- Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements (usually 4 years as a permanent resident)
Important note on social security
You will NOT be automatically entitled to social security payments. There are waiting periods: 2 years from visa grant for most payments, and 10 years for the age pension or disability support pension.
Document & Evidence Checklist
Parent visa refusals often occur due to incomplete documentation or failure to clearly demonstrate eligibility for the Balance of Family Test. Thorough preparation is essential.
Identity & Personal Documents
For the Applicant (Parent)
- Passport biodata page (valid for at least 6 months)
- Birth certificate (showing your parents' names)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce or death certificates (if applicable, for previous marriages)
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Change of name documents (if applicable)
For the Sponsor (Your Child)
- Proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizenship
- Evidence of being 'settled' in Australia (usually 2+ years lawful residence)
- Birth certificate showing relationship to you
Document Handling Notes
- • All documents not in English must be translated by a NAATI-accredited translator
- • Provide both the original document and the certified translation
- • Documents do not need to be certified unless specifically requested by the Department
- • Keep clear, color scans of all documents
- • Organize documents logically by category
m2 migration will provide you with a comprehensive, personalized checklist and review all your documents before lodgement to ensure completeness and compliance.
Application Process
The Non-Contributory Parent Visa application process has five main stages
Initial Consultation & Visa Pathway Assessment
We discuss your family situation in detail, assess eligibility for Subclass 103 vs 804, calculate the Balance of Family Test, advise on realistic timeframes and costs, and provide a clear fee quote.
Strategic Application & Document Preparation
We provide you with a detailed, personalized document checklist, guide you through gathering evidence (particularly for the Balance of Family Test), prepare comprehensive written submissions, and review all documents for completeness.
Sponsorship & Application Lodgement
Your sponsor (child) lodges the sponsorship application (Form 40). Once approved, we lodge your Parent Visa application (Form 47PA for 103, Form 47PT for 804), pay the Visa Application Charge, and you receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
Department Liaison & Ongoing Support
We monitor your application status, respond to any Requests for Information from the Department, advise on health examinations and police certificates, keep you informed of policy changes, and provide regular updates throughout the long processing period.
Assurance of Support & Final Steps
When your application nears decision, the Department requests the Assurance of Support. Centrelink assesses the assurer's financial capacity and collects the bond. You may be asked to undergo health examinations and provide updated police certificates. Once approved, you receive your visa grant notice.
Costs & Fees
Understanding all costs involved in your Non-Contributory Parent Visa application
Government Application Fees (Visa Application Charge - VAC)
As of 2025
| Visa Subclass | Base Application Charge (Main Applicant) | Additional Applicant 18+ | Additional Applicant Under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent Visa (Subclass 103) | $5,280 | $2,640 | $1,325 |
| Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) | $5,280 | $2,640 | $1,325 |
Second Installment (payable before grant): $2,065 per applicant
Note: Fees are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are subject to change (usually indexed each July).
Other Common Expenses
Estimated costs:
- Health examinations (panel physician)$300-$500 per person
- Police certificates$50-$200 per certificate
- Document translations (NAATI)$70-$150 per page
- Assurance of Support bond~$10,000 (main) + ~$4,000 per additional adult
- Courier/incidental costs$100-$300
Our Professional Fees
At m2 migration, we offer fixed-fee pricing for Non-Contributory Parent Visa applications.
Our fees include:
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment
- Comprehensive document checklist and guidance
- Preparation of all application forms and written submissions
- Review of all supporting documents
- Lodgement of sponsorship and visa applications
- Ongoing liaison with the Department
- Responding to Requests for Information
- Advice on Assurance of Support process
- Final grant notification and post-grant advice
Payment plans available: We offer flexible payment plans (3-6 months) to help manage costs.
Processing Times
Current processing times for Non-Contributory Parent Visas are extremely long due to annual program caps and high demand.
Current Processing Time Ranges
Source: Department of Home Affairs (2025 data). Processing times are indicative and subject to change.
Factors Affecting Processing
Why so long?
- •Annual program caps: Only 1,500-1,700 Non-Contributory Parent Visas are granted each year (combined 103 and 804)
- •High demand: Tens of thousands of applications are in the queue
- •Queue system: Applications are processed strictly in order of lodgement date
What this means for you:
- If you lodge today, your application may not be decided for 25-30+ years
- The queue date is locked in when you lodge—the sooner you apply, the sooner you join the queue
- Incomplete applications can cause delays or refusal, losing your queue position
Our value: We prepare decision-ready applications to ensure you don't lose your place in the queue due to errors or missing information.
Interim Solutions During the Wait
Given the decades-long wait, many families use interim visas to bring parents to Australia for visits:
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
Allows stays of up to 12 months per visit (for parents of Australian citizens/PRs, longer validity visas are often granted)
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
Allows parents to stay for 3 or 5 years at a time (up to 10 years total), but does not lead to permanent residency
m2 migration can advise on these options and help you apply.
The Critical Choice: Subclass 103 vs 804
Both visas lead to permanent residency, but have different eligibility criteria and strategic considerations.
| Feature | Parent Visa (Subclass 103) | Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) |
|---|---|---|
| Age Requirement | No age requirement | Must be 67+ (age pension age) |
| Location at Application | Must be outside Australia | Must be in Australia on a valid visa |
| Location at Decision | Must be outside Australia | Must be in Australia |
| Bridging Visa | Not applicable | Granted Bridging Visa A (BVA) after lodgement, allowing lawful stay in Australia during processing |
| Processing Time | 25-30+ years | 25-30+ years |
| Government Fees | $5,280 (+ $2,065 second installment) | $5,280 (+ $2,065 second installment) |
| Balance of Family Test | Required | Required |
| AoS Period | 4 years | 4 years |
Choose Subclass 103 if:
- Your parent is under 67 years old
- Your parent is currently outside Australia and doesn't need to be here during processing
- You want to lock in a queue date now, even if your parent is not yet ready to move
Choose Subclass 804 if:
- Your parent is 67+ years old
- Your parent is already in Australia (e.g., on a visitor visa) and wants to remain here during the long processing period
- You want your parent to have work rights and Medicare access during processing (via the Bridging Visa A)
Important
The processing time is essentially the same for both visas. The choice depends on your parent's age and where they want to wait.
Balance of Family Test Explained
The Balance of Family Test is the most critical—and often most confusing—requirement for parent visas.
You PASS the test if:
- 1At least half of your children live permanently in Australia
- OR
- 2More children live in Australia than in any other single country
You FAIL the test if:
- ✗Less than half of your children live in Australia
- AND
- ✗More children live in another country than in Australia
Who Counts as "Children"?
Children Who Count:
- • Biological children
- • Legally adopted children
- • Step-children (if relationship exists)
Not Counted:
- • Deceased children
- • Children with no contact (case-by-case)
What Does "Settled" Mean?
A child is "settled" in Australia if they:
- Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen
- Have been lawfully resident in Australia for at least 2 years
Example Scenarios
Simple Majority
- • 4 children total
- • 2 in Australia ✓
- • 1 in UK
- • 1 in India
Result: 2/4 = 50% in Australia
More Than Any Country
- • 5 children total
- • 2 in Australia ✓
- • 2 in Canada
- • 1 in USA
Result: No country has more than Australia
Does Not Pass
- • 4 children total
- • 1 in Australia
- • 3 in UK ✗
Result: UK has more children than Australia
Common Questions
Q: What if my child is an Australian citizen but lives overseas?
They do NOT count as settled in Australia. The child must be living in Australia to count.
Q: Can I exclude a child from the test?
Only in very limited circumstances—if the relationship has been permanently severed (e.g., no contact for many years). This requires strong evidence.
Q: What if my child moves countries after I apply?
The test is assessed at application AND decision time. You must notify the Department of significant changes.
m2 migration will carefully calculate your Balance of Family Test, advise if you meet the requirement, and prepare comprehensive evidence to support your application.
How m2 migration Helps with Your Non-Contributory Parent Visa
Parent visa applications are among the most complex in Australian immigration law. With decades-long processing times and strict eligibility requirements like the Balance of Family Test, a single error can result in refusal and the loss of your queue position. m2 migration's thorough, strategic approach ensures your application is decision-ready from day one.
What We Do for You
- ✓Assess eligibility & identify risks
We carefully review your family situation, calculate the Balance of Family Test, and advise on your best visa pathway (103, 804, or alternatives)
- ✓Explain options clearly
We demystify the parent visa process, providing honest advice about processing times, costs, and interim solutions
- ✓Prepare & organize documents
We provide a detailed checklist, guide you through gathering evidence, and review everything for compliance
- ✓Draft detailed submissions
We prepare comprehensive written submissions addressing all eligibility criteria, particularly the Balance of Family Test
- ✓Lodge applications correctly
We manage the lodgement of sponsorship and visa applications, ensuring all forms are completed accurately
- ✓Manage all Department communication
We liaise with the Department on your behalf, respond to Requests for Information, and keep you updated throughout the long processing period
- ✓Advise on Assurance of Support
We guide you through the AoS process, including connecting you with Centrelink and ensuring your assurer meets requirements
- ✓Provide ongoing support
Even during the long wait, we're here to answer questions, advise on policy changes, and assist with any issues that arise
Our Approach
At m2 migration, we understand that the parent visa journey is a marathon, not a sprint. We're committed to:
Long-term partnership
We stay with you throughout the process, even if it takes decades
Proactive communication
Regular updates, even when there's no movement
Strategic planning
Advising on interim visas and family visit options during the wait
Thorough preparation
Decision-ready applications that won't be refused due to errors
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to your parent visa questions
Both are Non-Contributory Parent Visas leading to permanent residency. The main differences are: 103 has no age requirement and is applied for outside Australia, while 804 requires the parent to be 67+ years old, is applied for inside Australia, and grants a Bridging Visa A during processing.
Current processing times are 25-30+ years for both Subclass 103 and 804. This is due to strict annual caps (only 1,500-1,700 visas granted per year) and high demand. The queue date is locked in when you lodge your application.
Yes. You can apply for Visitor Visas (Subclass 600) to visit your family during the wait. Parents of Australian citizens/PRs can often obtain longer-validity visitor visas (allowing stays of up to 12 months per visit). Alternatively, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) allows stays of 3-5 years.
If you don't meet the Balance of Family Test, you are not eligible for a Parent Visa (103 or 804). Alternative options include: Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) for temporary stays, Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) which does NOT require the Balance of Family Test, or exploring whether any children can be excluded from the test (requires strong evidence).
An AoS is a legal commitment by an assurer (usually your sponsor child) to repay the Australian Government for any social security payments you receive during the AoS period (4 years for Non-Contributory Parent Visas). The assurer must meet income requirements and lodge a refundable bond (~$10,000 for the main applicant).
Yes. You can include your spouse (married or de facto partner) as a secondary applicant. They must also meet health and character requirements, and their inclusion increases the overall visa fees and AoS bond amount.
As soon as you're eligible. Because applications are processed strictly in order of lodgement (queue date), applying sooner means you'll be processed sooner—even if that's still 25+ years away. Delaying your application means joining the back of the queue.
Yes. The AoS bond is refundable (without interest) at the end of the 4-year AoS period, provided no recoverable social security payments were made to you during that time.
Book Your Free Parent Visa Consultation
The Non-Contributory Parent Visa is a decades-long commitment. Starting with the right strategy and a decision-ready application is essential.
In your free consultation, we'll:
- Assess your eligibility for Subclass 103 or 804
- Calculate your Balance of Family Test
- Explain realistic timeframes and costs
- Advise on interim visa options during the wait
- Provide a clear, fixed-fee quote
Alternative contact:
Call 1300 XXX XXX (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
Email: info@m2migration.com.au