Australia parent visas: bringing parents to Australia

The 870 lets a biological, adoptive, step- or parent-in-law of an approved Parent Sponsor visit for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a cumulative maximum of 10 years. There is no balance of family test or Assurance of Support. Your child must first be approved as a Parent Sponsor, and you then apply within 6 months of that approval. The visa does not lead to permanent residence, and while holding it you cannot apply for a permanent or temporary parent visa.

For the 103 and 143 you need an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and you must pass the balance of family test: at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or more of them live in Australia than in any other single country. You must not already have applied for or hold an 870 visa.

You must be able to obtain an Assurance of Support, a guarantee that you will not rely on government assistance for the Assurance of Support period after arrival. The department tells you when to provide it. Health and character requirements apply.

Both permanent visas are paid in two instalments: the first when you apply and the second when the department asks, shortly before a decision. The Parent visa costs from AUD 8,665 in total for a single applicant, while the Contributory Parent visa costs from AUD 49,900; costs can be lower for holders of the temporary Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173). Health checks, police certificates and the Assurance of Support bond are extra.

Home Affairs states that demand for parent visas is greater than the places available each year, so processing times are long for both. Queue release dates are published on the department's website.

Permanent parent visa holders can live, work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives, attend the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible and later apply for citizenship. Travel is allowed for 5 years from grant.