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Parent Visas

Aged Parent Visa (SC 804)

The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is an onshore permanent residence visa pathway for eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

This visa allows eligible applicants who are already in Australia to remain lawfully in the country while their application is being processed, subject to the grant and conditions of an associated bridging visa.

Key features of this visa include:

  • This is an onshore parent visa, meaning applicants must be in Australia at the time of lodgement.
  • Eligible applicants are generally granted a bridging visa, allowing them to remain in Australia lawfully while their application is being processed.
  • Applicants must be in Australia at the time the visa is granted.
  • Applicants must have reached the Australian Age Pension age at the time of application.
  • Applicants must satisfy the balance of family test and meet all other relevant visa requirements.
  • This visa is subject to a capped queueing system, resulting in very lengthy processing times, often extending over many years.
  • The government application charges for this visa are significantly lower than contributory parent visa pathways, making it a more cost-effective option for eligible applicants prepared for extended processing times.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Contributory Aged Parent (Temp) Visa (SC 884)

The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884) is an onshore temporary parent visa for eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

This visa provides a pathway for eligible parents to remain in Australia temporarily and later apply for permanent residence through the corresponding permanent contributory parent visa pathway.

Key features of this visa include:

  • This is an onshore parent visa, meaning applicants must be in Australia at the time of lodgement.
  • Successful applicants may live in Australia for up to two years from the date of visa grant.
  • This visa provides a pathway to apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864).
  • Applicants must have reached the Australian Age Pension age at the time of application.
  • Eligible applicants are generally granted a bridging visa, allowing them to remain lawfully in Australia while their application is being processed.
  • Applicants must be in Australia at the time the visa is granted.
  • Applicants must satisfy the balance of family test and meet all other relevant visa requirements.
  • Government application charges for this visa are significant, reflecting the contributory nature of the visa pathway.
  • Processing times are generally considerably shorter than the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804), although substantial waiting periods may still apply.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Contributory Aged Parent Visa (SC 864)

The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is an onshore permanent residence visa for eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

This visa allows eligible parents to live permanently in Australia and offers a faster pathway to permanent residence compared to the standard Aged Parent Visa, although it involves significantly higher government application charges.

Key features of this visa include:

  • This is an onshore parent visa, meaning applicants must be in Australia at the time of lodgement.
  • Successful applicants are granted permanent residence, allowing them to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Eligible applicants are generally granted a bridging visa, allowing them to remain lawfully in Australia while their application is being processed.
  • Applicants must have reached the Australian Age Pension age at the time of application.
  • Applicants must be in Australia at the time the visa is granted.
  • Applicants must satisfy the balance of family test and meet all other relevant visa requirements.
  • Government application charges for this visa are significantly higher than the standard Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804), reflecting the contributory nature of the visa pathway.
  • Processing times are generally considerably shorter than the Aged Parent Visa, although extended waiting periods may still apply.
  • Permanent residents may, subject to eligibility, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Contributory Parent (Temp) Visa (SC 173)

The Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) is a temporary parent visa for eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

This visa provides a temporary pathway for parents to live in Australia for up to two years and offers the opportunity to later apply for permanent residence through the corresponding permanent contributory parent visa pathway.

Key features of this visa include:

  • This visa may be applied for either in Australia or outside Australia, subject to eligibility requirements.
  • Applicants are generally required to be outside Australia at the time of visa grant, unless specific exemption criteria apply.
  • Successful applicants may live in Australia for up to two years from the date of visa grant.
  • This visa provides a pathway to apply for the permanent Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143).
  • Applicants must satisfy the balance of family test and meet all other relevant visa requirements.
  • Government application charges are significantly higher than the standard parent visa pathway, reflecting the contributory nature of the visa.
  • Processing times are generally considerably shorter than non-contributory parent visa pathways, although waiting periods may still extend over several years.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Contributory Parent Visa (SC 143)

The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is a permanent residence visa for eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

This visa provides a faster pathway to permanent residence compared to the standard Parent Visa, although it involves significantly higher government application charges.

Key features of this visa include:

  • This visa may be applied for either in Australia or outside Australia, depending on individual circumstances and eligibility requirements.
  • Applicants are generally required to be outside Australia at the time of visa grant, unless specific exemption criteria apply.
  • Successful applicants are granted permanent residence, allowing them to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Applicants must satisfy the balance of family test and meet all other relevant visa requirements.
  • Government application charges are significantly higher than the standard Parent Visa pathway, reflecting the contributory nature of the visa.
  • Processing times are generally considerably shorter than the non-contributory Parent Visa, although waiting periods may still extend over several years.
  • Permanent residents may, subject to eligibility, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Parent Visa (SC 103)

The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) is a permanent residence visa for eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

This visa offers a lower-cost pathway to permanent residence for parents wishing to reunite with their family in Australia, although it is subject to significantly longer processing times compared to contributory parent visa pathways.

Key features of this visa include:

  • This visa may be applied for either in Australia or outside Australia, depending on individual circumstances and eligibility requirements.
  • Applicants are generally required to be outside Australia at the time of visa grant, unless specific exemption criteria apply.
  • Successful applicants are granted permanent residence, allowing them to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Applicants must satisfy the balance of family test and meet all other relevant visa requirements.
  • Government application charges are significantly lower than contributory parent visa pathways, making it a more affordable option for eligible applicants.
  • Processing times are considerably longer than contributory parent visas due to capped annual places and queueing arrangements.
  • Permanent residents may, subject to eligibility, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.

Sponsored Parent (Temp) Visa (SC 870)

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) allows eligible parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to stay in Australia temporarily for an extended period without needing to meet the balance of family test. 

This visa is designed for families seeking a temporary long-term stay option for parents in Australia without pursuing immediate permanent residence through traditional parent visa pathways.

Key features of this visa include:

  • This is a temporary parent visa, generally applied for while the applicant is outside Australia, unless specific exemption criteria apply.
  • An eligible child must first lodge and obtain approval of a Parent Sponsor application before the visa application can be lodged.
  • The visa may be granted while the applicant is either in or outside Australia, subject to eligibility requirements.
  • Successful applicants may stay in Australia for up to three or five years, depending on the visa period granted.
  • Applicants may apply for further Subclass 870 visas, allowing a cumulative stay of up to 10 years, subject to meeting all applicable requirements.
  • Before applying for a further Subclass 870 visa, applicants are generally required to depart Australia and remain outside Australia for at least 90 consecutive days.
  • Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily and depart before the expiry of their authorised stay.
  • Unlike many permanent parent visa pathways, there is no requirement to satisfy the balance of family test.
  • Applicants must also satisfy all applicable health, character, sponsorship, and financial requirements.