Parent Visa in Australia 2026 Updated
How to Apply for a Parent Visa Australia in 2026: Complete Guide
Parent visa Australia is a popular pathway for families wanting to reunite permanently or temporarily with loved ones in Australia. Whether you’re a parent hoping to join your settled child or an Australian citizen/permanent resident sponsoring your mum or dad, understanding the parent visa Australia process is essential.
In this blog, we cover everything about parent visa, including the different types, eligibility, costs, and application steps. With high demand and strict quotas, planning early for your parent visa Australia application is key to success.
Types of Parent Visa in Australia
Australia offers several visa streams to suit different needs and budgets. The main categories are non-contributory, contributory, and temporary options.
The Parent visa (subclass 103) and Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) are the non-contributory permanent options. These allow indefinite stay but come with extremely long waiting periods.
For faster (though still lengthy) processing, the contributory options include the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) (offshore) and Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) (onshore). These require a significant one-off payment to the government.
Temporary pathways include the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), which lets parents stay for 3 or 5 years (renewable up to 10 years total), and contributory temporary visas (subclass 173/884) that lead to permanent residency.
Choosing the right visa depends on your age, budget, and how quickly you want to reunite.
Eligibility Criteria for a Parent Visa
To qualify for any visa, you must meet core requirements. You need at least one eligible child. The child must be a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsor must usually have lived in Australia for at least two years.
All applicants for an Australian visa must pass the balance of family test. At least half of your children must live in Australia. This includes stepchildren and adopted children. Or, more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country. Health and character requirements apply to every visa. You and any family members must be free of serious medical conditions that could cost Australia significant healthcare expenses and have no serious criminal record.
For the Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) or Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864), you must be old enough to receive the Age Pension in Australia (currently around 67 years).
An Assurance of Support(AOS) is usually required for permanent parent visa Australia streams, where the sponsor or another person guarantees you won’t rely on Australian welfare for 10 years.
Note that if you hold or have applied for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa, you generally cannot apply for most permanent visa Australia options at the same time.
Costs for a Parent Visa Australia
Here is a clear breakdown of the costs (based on current 2025–2026 Department of Home Affairs fees and reliable migration sources as of March 2026). These are approximate totals for a single main applicant (in AUD), paid in instalments where applicable.
| Type | Type | Total Government Visa Fees (Per Main Applicant) |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 103 (Parent) | Non-contributory Permanent (Offshore) | ~$7,345 |
| Subclass 804 (Aged Parent) | Non-contributory Permanent (Onshore) | $7,345 |
| Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent) | Contributory Permanent (Offshore) | ~$48,640–$50,000+ |
| Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent) | Contributory Permanent (Onshore) | ~$48,640–$50,000+ |
| Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent Temporary | Temporary (3 or 5 years, renewable up to 10) | 3 years: ~$6,070 5 years: ~$12,140 |
Important reminders:
These are base application charges only. Total costs can rise a lot with AoS bonds, health exams, biometrics, and family members.
Fees may change with indexation, usually in July each year. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest Visa Pricing Table.
Contributory options are popular for shorter waits but require substantial financial commitment to offset healthcare/social costs to Australia.
Step-by-Step Application Process for Parent Visa
Applying for a parent visa is mostly paper-based, but from April 2025 you can import your application into ImmiAccount for easier tracking.
- Prepare documents: Gather proof of relationship, sponsor’s Australian status, balance of family evidence, health and police certificates.
- Complete forms: Use the correct paper form for your chosen parent visa Australia subclass.
- Lodge the application: Submit with the first instalment fee and all supporting documents. The Department will acknowledge receipt within weeks.
- Queue and assessment: Your parent visa Australia application enters a queue if it meets basic criteria.
- Provide more information: Respond quickly to any requests for extra documents or medicals.
- Visa decision: Once released from the queue, you’ll receive the final decision.
For the temporary visa Australia (subclass 870), the process is fully online and requires prior sponsor approval.
Processing Times and Queues
Due to annual caps, processing times are among the longest in the migration program.
As of January 2026, the estimated overall processing time is around 15 years for contributory visa Australia streams and 33 years for non-contributory options.
Current queues show contributory applications lodged up to October 2018 are being released, while non-contributory queues reach back to June 2013. New applications lodged in 2026 will face significant waits.
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) processes much faster. It is often processed within months making it a popular short-term solution while waiting for permanent visa options.
FAQs
Q1. What is the $5000 parent visa?
It refers to the non-contributory permanent parent visas (subclass 103 offshore or 804 onshore), with base fees around AUD $7,345 (often historically rounded to ~$5,000). These offer permanent residency but face extremely long waits (30+ years).
Q2. What is the new 10 year parent visa in Australia?
There is no brand-new 10-year visa; it describes the subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, which allows stays of 3 or 5 years per grant, renewable up to a maximum total of 10 years. It’s a temporary option without permanent residency.
Q3. What is the difference between 804 and 864 visa?
Subclass 804 (Aged Parent) is the low-cost (~$7,345), non-contributory onshore permanent visa with very long waits (30+ years). Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent) is the high-cost (~$48,000–$50,000+) onshore permanent visa with much faster processing (typically 3–15 years).
Q4. Which visa is best for parents in Australia?
It depends: contributory visas (143/864) are usually “best” for permanent residency due to shorter waits despite high costs; the temporary subclass 870 is best for quicker, cheaper reunion (up to 10 years total) without needing the balance of family test.
Q5. What is the new 5 year parent visa?
It’s the 5-year option within the subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (costs ~$12,140), allowing a 5-year stay per grant (renewable to 10 years maximum). It’s a faster temporary pathway, not new in 2026 but still the main 5-year option.
Final Thoughts
The parent visa Australia pathway allows families to reunite, but it requires careful planning due to high costs, long queues, and strict eligibility rules. Whether you choose the affordable but slow non-contributory parent visa Australia or the faster contributory route, starting your parent visa Australia application with accurate information is crucial.
If you’re ready to bring your parents to Australia, review your options today and begin preparing your parent visa Australia documents. With patience and proper preparation, your dream of family reunion through a parent visa Australia can become reality. It would be better if you take legal help and consultation.
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