Parent Visa (103, 804, 143, 864, 173, 884, 870)

The Australian Parent Visa program is divided into two main categories: Permanent Residency (PR) pathways and Temporary pathways. Most PR applications are paper-based and must be mailed to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth, while the Subclass 870 is managed through an online portal.

Step 1: Check the Balance of Family Test

Before applying for any subclass except the 870, you must pass the Balance of Family test. This requires that at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or that more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country.

Step 2: Secure a Sponsor

Your sponsor must be an "eligible child" (an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen) who is "settled," meaning they have lived in Australia for at least 2 years.

• For Subclass 870: Your sponsor must apply for and receive approval as a Parent Sponsor via ImmiAccount before you can lodge your visa application.

Step 3: Determine Your Pathway

Choose your subclass based on your age and budget:

• Aged Visas (804, 864, 884): You must be at least 67 years old and physically present in Australia (without a "No Further Stay" condition on your current visa) to apply. This allows you to stay in Australia on a Bridging Visa A during the wait.
• Non-Aged Visas (103, 143, 173): For applicants under 67 or those applying from outside Australia.
• Contributory vs. Non-Contributory: Contributory visas (143, 864, 173, 884) are significantly more expensive but "faster" (12–15 years), while Non-Contributory visas (103, 804) are cheaper but involve a 25–30+ year wait.

Step 4: Prepare and Lodge the Application

For PR visas, you must complete Form 47PA (Application for a parent to migrate to Australia) and your sponsor must complete Form 40. These, along with certified copies of identity documents and family relationship proof, must be posted to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth. For the Subclass 870, the application is submitted online via ImmiAccount within six months of sponsor approval.

Step 5: The Queue Date

After lodgment, the Department will assess if you meet the core requirements (like the Balance of Family test). If you pass, you are assigned a Queue Date. This is the official date used to determine when your visa will be finalized.

Step 6: Assurance of Support (AoS) and Second Installment

Years later, when you reach the front of the queue, the Department will contact you to:

1. Complete a medical examination and police checks.
2. Provide an Assurance of Support (a legal financial guarantee from your sponsor).
3. Pay the Second Installment (the "Contribution" fee).

Fees are generally paid in two installments. The first is paid at the time of application; the second is requested only when the visa is ready to be granted.

Visa Subclass	First Installment	Second Installment	Total Per Person (Approx.)
103 (Parent) / 804 (Aged Parent)	$5,125	$2,065	$7,190
143 (Contributory) / 864 (Aged Contributory)	$4,890	$43,600	$48,490
173 / 884 (Temporary Contributory)	$3,200	$32,000	$35,200
870 (3-Year Stay)	$1,145	N/A	$1,145
870 (5-Year Stay)	$5,730	N/A	$5,730

Total Estimate: For a couple applying for a Contributory 143 visa, expect to pay approximately $97,000 in government fees alone over the life of the application.

Does not include:

• Assurance of Support Bond: A $10,000 bank guarantee (for contributory visas) held for 10 years.
• Health Exams: Approximately $300–$500 per person.
• Police Certificates: Costs vary by country.
• Sponsorship Fee (Subclass 870 only): $420.

The Australian Parent Visa program is subject to strict annual "caps," leading to extreme wait times.

• Contributory Parent (143/864): Currently processing applications with a queue date of May 2018. New applicants should expect a wait of 12 to 15 years.
• Non-Contributory Parent (103): Currently processing applications with a queue date of October 2012. New applicants face a wait of 25 to 30+ years.
• Aged Parent (804): Currently processing applications with a queue date of December 2013. New applicants face a wait of 30+ years.
• Sponsored Parent (870): Usually processed within 4 to 6 months.

Document Validity: Do not undergo medical exams or obtain police checks until specifically requested by your case officer, as these documents typically expire after 12 months and would need to be redone given the long wait times.