A Complete Pathway to Reuniting with Your Parents

To be eligible, the applicant must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of a person who is:

• An Australian citizen
• A permanent resident of Australia, or
• An eligible New Zealand citizen

The parent must also pass the Balance of Family Test and have an eligible sponsor — typically their child living in Australia.

The Balance of Family Test determines whether a parent qualifies for a Parent Visa by assessing where their children permanently reside. To pass, at least half of the parent's children must live lawfully and permanently in Australia — or more children must reside in Australia than in any other single country.

⚠️ Important: Children on temporary visas (such as student or visitor visas) are not counted in this test.

Example: A parent with four children — two Australian PRs in Melbourne, one in India, one in Canada — passes the test.

A sponsor must be:

• At least 18 years old
• An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Resident in Australia for at least 2 years
• The biological, adoptive, or step-child of the applicant

The sponsor must also agree to support the parent financially and may be required to provide an Assurance of Support (AoS).

The Assurance of Support is a legally binding financial guarantee provided by the sponsor. It commits the sponsor to repaying certain Centrelink payments if the parent ever claims them. It typically involves a bond of $10,000 or more per applicant, held by the government for up to 10 years. It is mandatory for all contributory Parent Visas.

💡 Tip from our OnePoint advisors: If the bond amount feels large, siblings can pool funds together to meet this requirement.

Australia offers six key Parent Visa subclasses:

Contributory visas are significantly faster but come at a much higher cost. Non-contributory visas are affordable but the queue currently exceeds 30 years.

Yes. If your parent is currently in Australia on a valid visa and meets the age and eligibility requirements, they can apply for:

• Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
• Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 884 → 864)

They may be issued a Bridging Visa allowing them to remain in Australia while their application is being processed.

The Subclass 804 is a permanent visa for parents who are already in Australia and have reached the age qualifying for the Age Pension (currently 67+). It is the most affordable onshore option (~$6,500) but comes with an extremely long queue of 30+ years and an annual cap on places. There is no priority processing available.

✅ Best for: Parents already in Australia who can wait and prefer a low-cost option.

This two-step pathway is available for parents who are already in Australia and meet the age pension age requirement:

1. Apply for Subclass 884— grants a 2-year temporary visa with Medicare and work rights
2. Apply for Subclass 864— transition to permanent residency before the 884 expires

Total cost: ~$48,000 AUD | Processing time: ~4–6 years

✅ Best for: Older parents currently in Australia who want a faster permanent residency pathway.

This is the fastest route for parents living outside Australia:

1. Apply for Subclass 173— grants a 2-year temporary visa with Medicare and work rights, allowing entry to Australia
2. Apply for Subclass 143— must apply within 2 years of holding the 173 visa; grants permanent residency

Total cost: ~$47,000–$50,000 AUD | Processing time: ~4–6 years combined

✅ Best for: Parents living overseas who want permanent residency as quickly as possible.

The Subclass 103 is an affordable permanent visa for parents applying from outside Australia. It costs approximately $6,000 AUD but has one of the longest queues — over 30 years. There is an annual cap on the number of places, no bridging visa available while offshore, and Assurance of Support is required.

✅ Best for: Parents outside Australia who are comfortable with a very long wait and prefer a low-cost option.

Sponsors should prepare:

• Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
• Evidence of residence in Australia for 2+ years (e.g., utility bills, lease agreements)
• Recent tax returns or income statements
• Details of living arrangements
• Evidence of relationship to the parent (e.g., birth certificate)

💡 OnePoint Tip: Start gathering these documents early — official records often take longer to organise than expected.

Processing times vary significantly by visa type:

• Subclass 143 / 864:4–6 years
• Subclass 173 / 884:3–5 years
• Subclass 103 / 804:30+ years (queue-based with annual cap)

Costs range from approximately $6,000 to $50,000 AUD, depending on the subclass. In addition to the visa application fee, you should budget for:

• Assurance of Support bond($10,000+ per applicant)
• Health checks and medical examinations
• Bridging visa costs(if applicable)
• Document preparation and migration agent fees

Holders of a permanent Parent Visa (Subclass 103, 143, or 864) are entitled to:

• ✅Live in Australia permanently
• ✅Work and study without restrictions
• ✅Access Medicare (Australia's public healthcare system)
• ✅Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)

• Temporary visa holders (Subclass 173 or 884)cannot access Centrelink or social security benefits
• Permanent visa holderscan access Medicare but must wait 10 years before becoming eligible for the Age Pension
• There is no automatic entitlementto welfare payments or housing assistance upon arrival

💡 Financial planning is essential — Medicare covers basic healthcare only, so budget for additional medical and living expenses in the early years.

Here's a quick guide to help you decide:

• Is your parent already in Australia?→ Consider Subclass 804, 884, or 864
• Is your parent over 67 (Age Pension age)?→ Required for Aged Parent Visas
• Do you want the fastest processing?→ Choose Subclass 143 or 864 (contributory)
• Is budget the priority and can you wait?→ Consider Subclass 103 or 804
• Can you provide Assurance of Support?→ Required for all contributory options

Many families apply for a contributory temporary visa (884 or 173) first, then transition to permanent status (864 or 143) — this gets parents into Australia sooner while the permanent application is processed.

Absolutely. OnePoint Education & Migration Services, based in Hobart and Sydney, provides expert, personalised guidance throughout the entire Parent Visa process — from initial eligibility checks and Balance of Family Test assessments, to document preparation, sponsorship support, Assurance of Support advice, bridging visa management, and final grant.

Our registered migration advisors understand both Australian immigration law and the personal importance of bringing your family together. We support both onshore and offshore applications and help you avoid the costly mistakes that cause delays or refusals.