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

The Australian Parent Visa program allows eligible children who are settled in Australia to sponsor their parents for temporary or permanent residency. This pathway is divided into two primary categories: Contributory visas, which require a high financial contribution for faster (though still lengthy) processing, and Non-Contributory visas, which are lower cost but involve wait times spanning decades.

Because the Australian Government "caps" the number of parent visas issued each year, these pathways are characterized by a "queue" system. For the 2025–26 program year, only 8,500 places are available across all parent categories. It is critical to distinguish between "Aged" visas (for those of Australian pension age) and standard Parent visas, as well as the Subclass 870, which is a temporary stay visa that never leads to permanent residency.

The Australian parent visa system is currently facing extreme backlogs. As of 2026, the following realities apply:

• Wait Times: New applicants for Contributory (143/864) visas should expect a wait of 12 to 15 years. For Non-Contributory (103/804) visas, the wait is estimated at 25 to 30+ years.
• The 870 Restriction: If you apply for or hold a Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent - Temporary) visa, you are legally barred from applying for a permanent parent visa. You must choose between immediate temporary stay or the long-term permanent residency queue.
• Death of Applicant: Under policy changes effective August 2025, if the primary applicant dies while in the queue, secondary applicants (such as a spouse) must now independently meet all primary criteria to remain in the queue.
• Bridging Visas: If you apply for an "Aged" visa (804 or 864) while lawfully in Australia (and your current visa does not have a "No Further Stay" condition), you may be eligible for a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This allows you to remain in Australia during the decades-long processing period.

Once a permanent parent visa is granted, you receive the following rights:

• Right to Work: You have unrestricted rights to work and study in Australia.
• Medicare Access: You are eligible to enroll in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
• Travel Rights: You can travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of grant; after this, you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV).
• Path to Citizenship: You may apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the residency and eligibility requirements.
• Social Security Restrictions: Most permanent parent visa holders are subject to a 10-year waiting period before they can access the Age Pension or other major social security payments.
• Family Reunification: You may be able to sponsor other eligible family members for residency.