Eligibility Quiz
Requirements
Who Can Apply
To qualify for the Subclass 143 visa, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Have an Eligible Sponsor
You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor. Usually this is an adult child, but if you are under 18, an eligible relative or community organisation can sponsor you with Department approval.
An eligible sponsor is:
- An Australian citizen, OR
- An Australian permanent resident, OR
- An eligible New Zealand citizen (holding a Special Category Visa or equivalent)
Your sponsor must be settled in Australia, which generally means having lived lawfully in Australia for at least 2 years. This period can include time on temporary visas.
Meet the Balance of Family Test
This test is mandatory and cannot be waived (except for retirees applying under a special pathway). You satisfy it if:
- At least half of your children and step-children are "eligible children" (Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Australia), OR
- More of your children live in Australia than in any other single country
Critical points:
- All your children worldwide are counted, including step-children and legally adopted children
- Deceased children are not counted; you must provide death certificates as evidence
- If you already hold a Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173), you have already met this test and do not need to prove it again
Provide an Assurance of Support (AoS)
Unless you are applying as a retiree, you must be able to obtain an assurance of support — a financial guarantee that you will not rely on government assistance after entering Australia. This is typically a bond held by Centrelink for 10 years, usually amounting to approximately AUD $10,000 for a single parent or AUD $14,000 for a couple. Your sponsor must meet income thresholds to provide this support.
Meet Health Requirements
You and any family members applying with you must meet Australia's health requirements. If your health condition is estimated to cost more than AUD $86,000 over your remaining lifespan, you may be refused unless granted a health waiver. Health examinations are not required until the Department requests them; you are personally liable for all healthcare costs during processing.
Meet Character Requirements
You and any family members applying with you must meet Australia's character requirements. This includes providing police certificates from all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months in the past 10 years. Police certificates must be originals, not certified copies.
Not Have Applied for or Hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
If you have already applied for or hold a Subclass 870 visa, you cannot apply for the Subclass 143 visa.
Additional Requirements
- Have paid back any debt to the Australian Government, or have an approved arrangement in place
- Not have had a visa cancelled or previous application refused (though in some circumstances, you may still be eligible)
- Sign the Australian Values Statement if you are 18 years or older, confirming you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws
- Have a valid passport before the visa is granted — the visa will not be granted without one
- Be outside Australia when the Department makes a final decision on your application (unless you are a retiree, hold/held a Subclass 173 visa, or hold a substituted Subclass 600 visa)
Special Pathway: Retiree Application
If you held or previously held an Investor Retirement (Subclass 405) or Retirement (Subclass 410) visa on 8 May 2018 and have not held any other substantive visa since that date, you can apply as a retiree. Retirees do not need to:
- Meet the balance of family test
- Have a sponsor
- Provide an assurance of support
- Maintain health insurance (though you are personally liable for healthcare costs during processing)
Retirees must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when they apply and can be in or outside Australia when the Department makes a decision.
Two-Step Pathway (Subclass 173 to 143)
You can apply for the Subclass 143 visa as a two-step process by first applying for the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173). This allows you to spread the cost over several years. If you hold a Subclass 173 visa, you have already met the balance of family test and do not need to prove it again when applying for the 143.
Conditions & Warnings
Extremely long processing time: 12–15 years on average, with current queue backlog of ~7 years (as of February 2026). Applications lodged in late 2018 are only now reaching final assessment.
Balance of family test is mandatory and cannot be waived (except for retirees). All children worldwide are counted; if more than half your children live outside Australia, your application will be refused.
Second instalment of ~AUD $43,600 per applicant must be paid before visa grant. If you cannot pay, your application will be refused and fees are not refunded.
Assurance of Support (AoS) is a 10-year financial bond, not a 2-year commitment. Sponsor must meet income thresholds and provide ongoing support.
Health waiver threshold is AUD $86,000 over remaining lifespan. Applicants with significant health conditions may be refused unless granted a waiver (not guaranteed).
If you apply for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870), you become ineligible for the Subclass 143 visa.
You must be outside Australia when the Department makes a final decision (unless you are a retiree or hold/held a Subclass 173 visa).
Sponsor must be settled in Australia for at least 2 years (usually). If your child recently became a citizen or PR, verify the settlement period before applying.
Qualifications
Fees
Single applicant; paid in two instalments (first ~AUD $5,040 at application, second ~AUD $43,600 at grant). Additional applicants (spouse 18+) cost ~AUD $96,280 total; children under 18 cost ~AUD $45,455 each.