Bringing Parents to Australia: What You Need to Know Before Applying

Family with parents and adult child holding passports, parent visa documents explaining how to bring parents to Australia.

Bringing Parents to Australia: What You Need to Know Before Applying

A parent visa in Australia involves long waiting periods, high costs, and strict eligibility requirements. You must meet the balance of family, health, financial and sponsorship requirements and apply for the right visa type to bring your parents to Australia.

Do you want to bring your parents to Australia? If yes, you can apply for a parent visa. This visa allows the eligible Australian citizens, NZ citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and invite them to join them in Australia. Whether you are considering permanent residency for your parents or a temporary stay, Australia offers different types of parent visas to meet your family and migration goals. You can contact the parent visa migration agent in Melbourne to apply for it.

Each parent visa has different eligibility, processing times, costs and eligibility requirements. So choosing the right pathway is important to bring your parents to Australia. In this blog, we tell you about the parent visa Australia, its types, eligibility, costs, processing times, and application process.

Why choose an Australian parent visa?

The parent visa offers the opportunity for parents to live with their children in Australia who are already. It allows family reunification and offers you access to education, healthcare and chances to gain permanent residency.

Whether you are going to apply for a PR or a temporary visa first, you must know the right visa type to make the right decision. By obtaining a parent visa, you can stay close to your children, and enjoy quality time with them in Australia. Its benefits are

  • Family reunification
  • Study and work rights
  • Pathways to Australian citizenship

Types of Parent Visa Australia

Australia is the one country that offers you various types ofparent visa to apply for. If you want to sponsor and bring your parents to Australia, then you must understand the different types of parent visas and get clarity. Here are different types

Type of Visa Description Key things to know  Processing Time 
Subclass143 (Contributory Parent Visa) It permanent parent visa that allows parents to move to Australia permanently Faster processing compared to non-contributory visasHigher cost4 to 6 years 
Subclass103 (Parent Visa)It is a permanent parent visa that brings parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen to move into the country permanently.Longer processing timeMust meet the balance of family test Up to three decades 
Subclass804 (AgedParent Visa) An aged parent visa is a permanent parent visa that allows aged parents to move into the country permanently.Applicant must be in the countryA family-balance test is a must.  Up to 30 years 
Subclass173 (Contributory Parent) (Temporary Visa) It is the temporary parent visa that allows parents to move into the country temporarily.Apply for the Subclass 143 visa after getting this temporary visa.4 to 6 years 
Subclass864 (Contributory Aged Parent Visa) A permanent visa for aged parents who are already in Australia.Applicants must be in Australia.Costly visaFaster processing than non-contributory visas4 to 6 years 
Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent) (Temporary Visa)It is the temporary parent visa that allows parents to move into the country for 3 to 5 years.Sponsors can be eligible children6 to 12 months 
Subclass 884 (Contributory Aged Parent) (Temporary Visa)  It is the temporary contributory parent visa that allows parents to move into the country temporarily.Applicant must be in AustraliaApply for Subclass 8644 to 6 years 

Eligibility Requirements for an Australian Parent Visa

To sponsor a parent visa Australia, children must meet the following eligibility criteria

  • Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • Have lived in Australia for at least two years
  • Financially capable to support parent

Other general requirements are:

  • Meet character and health requirements
  • Pass the balance of the family test
  • Assurance of support and financial proof

Step-by-step process to apply for an Australian parent visa

Here is the step-by-step process to follow to apply for a parent visa and bring your parents to Australia

  • Fulfills eligibility

First, meet your eligibility before applying for the parent visa. It involves understanding visa requirements and ensuring that you and your parents meet the eligibility criteria.

  • Choose the right visa

Next, choose the right visa type according to your migration requirements. Consider factors such as processing time, parents’ age and costs. For example, if you want to get a visa faster and not have cost-related concerns, then you can apply for a contributory parent visa (subclass 143).

  • Gather documents

Now, gather all your essential documents to support your visa application. It includes relationship proof like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and adoption patterns. You should also have ID documents like a national ID, passports and photographs. Must gather your health and character documents including medical reports and police clearance certificates. Keep all these documents ready for the parent visa application.

  • Submit the application

Submit your visa application form with the required documents and application fees. Get the support of a parent visa migration agent in Melbourne to lodge your application. It can be done online or by post, on the basis of your visa category.

  • Await processing

After application submission, you should wait till the processing times. It varies between visa categories. So you should keep track of your visa application status and respond to immigration requests immediately if they require additional information.

  • Provides assurance of support

The assurance of support is an important requirement for a parent visa. It involves a financial bond lodged by the sponsor, and ensures that the parents will not rely on public funds for a specific period after arrival.

  • Health and character checks

Next, you should undergo the health tests and give the police clearances certificates to meet health and character checks. These checks ensure that the applicants will not rely on public funds during their stay in Australia.

  • Visa decisions

Once you meet the requirements, your application will be processed, and a decision will be made. If a visa is granted, your parents will be able to move to Australia.

How to choose the right parent visa?

Choosing the right parent visa depends on your financial situation, goals and the amount of time you are willing to wait. Here’s how you can choose the right visa

  • Apply for a subclass 143 or 864 visa if you want to get permanent residency with faster processing times.
  • Apply for a subclass 103 or 804 visa if you want to get permanent residency, but with a longer waiting period.
  • Apply for a subclass 103 or 143 visa if you want to get permanent residency but do not meet the age requirements.
  • Apply for a subclass 173 visa if you want to get a temporary stay in Australia with PR opportunities.
  • Apply for a subclass 870 visa if you want a temporary stay in Australia without a PR pathway.

Why choose Pathway Visa Services?

At Pathway Visa Services, we help you to apply for a parent visa Australia by meeting your eligibility. Here’s how we help

  • Evaluate your parent visa eligibility
  • Understand visa costs and timelines
  • Handle complex matters such as health, age and financial capacity
  • Assist with appeals and bridge visa strategies

Our parent visa migration agent Melbourne provides you with a fixed fee and clear advice and helps families to navigate the parent visa process.

Conclusion

Bringing parents to Australia is a rewarding and complex process and requires careful planning. You must understand the different parent visa options, meet the eligibility and prepare for associated costs. You can bring your parents successfully to Australia and enjoy the various benefits of family reunification.

FAQs

1) What is the fastest parent visa in Australia?

The fastest parent visa option in Australia is the subclass 870 sponsored parent temporary visa. Processing times may range from several months, depending on demand and completeness of the application, and become suitable for parents who want to stay with their children in Australia.

2) Can a parent get permanent residency in Australia?

Yes, the parents can get permanent residency in Australia through the contributory parent visa. The more popular options that open permanent residency pathways for you are the subclass 143 and subclass 864 visas.

3) How long does a contributory parent visa take to be processed?

The processing times of the Contributory Parent visa range from 4 to 6 years. The timeframe ranges on the basis of annual caps, application volume and case complexity.

4) Can I sponsor my parents if I am a PR in Australia?

Yes, PR Australian citizens, residents and eligible NZ citizens can sponsor their parents through a parent visa. As a sponsor, you should meet the income and balance of family requirements and get visa approvals.

5) What if my parents want to visit Australia for a short period?

If your parents want a short stay in Australia, then you can apply for a tourist visa instead of a parent visa. It allows temporary visits for your parents without long-term commitments. 

Also Read: Is the Subclass 186 Visa a Permanent Visa? Your Go-to-Guide