Parent Visas Australia

Parent Visas for Australian Citizens & PR Holders (Onshore & Offshore Options)

Reuniting parents with family in Australia can be life-changing — and the visa strategy matters.
Aspire Global Migration helps you choose the right Parent visa pathway, prepare the correct sponsorship and evidence,
and build a decision-ready application that meets Home Affairs requirements.

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Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2518834) • Australia-based guidance for families in Australia and overseas

Parent Visa Options (Quick Overview)

Parent visas generally fall into three categories:
Non-contributory Parent (lower government cost but very long queues),
Contributory Parent (higher fees but usually faster processing),
and the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (temporary stay option without Balance of Family Test).

Key Requirement: Balance of Family Test (Most Parent Visas)

Most permanent parent visas require meeting the Balance of Family Test. You generally meet the test if:
(1) at least half of your children are “eligible children”, or (2) more of your eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country.
(Sponsored Parent Temporary 870 is different — see below.)

Assurance of Support (AoS)

Many permanent parent visas require an Assurance of Support before the visa can be granted.
It is a legal commitment by an assurer (usually the sponsoring child) to repay certain welfare payments, and may involve a refundable bond.

Health & Character

Parents must meet Australian health and character requirements. Police checks and medical examinations are commonly required during processing.

Processing queues

Parent visa processing can involve lengthy queues, especially non-contributory categories. Strategy matters — some families use a temporary option (870) while waiting.

Parent Visa List (Onshore & Offshore)

Subclass 103 – Parent (Permanent, Offshore)

Non-contributory permanent parent visa for parents of a settled Australian citizen/PR or eligible NZ citizen. Requires Balance of Family Test and sponsorship.
Typically very long queues.

Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent (Permanent, Offshore)

Contributory permanent visa with higher visa charges but generally faster than non-contributory options. Requires Balance of Family Test and AoS before grant.

Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary, Offshore)

Temporary contributory parent visa that can be a step toward the permanent 143 pathway. Useful for staged payments/strategy in some families.

Subclass 804 – Aged Parent (Permanent, Onshore)

Onshore permanent option for “aged” parents (must be old enough for Age Pension age concept). Requires Balance of Family Test, sponsorship and usually very long queues.

Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent, Onshore)

Onshore contributory permanent visa for aged parents. Higher charges but typically faster than non-contributory aged parent options. Requires Balance of Family Test and AoS before grant.

Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary, Onshore)

Temporary contributory onshore option that can lead to 864. Often used as a staged pathway (884 → 864).

Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary)

Temporary stay option (3 or 5 years per grant, up to a maximum period overall) sponsored by an eligible child in Australia.
Does not require Balance of Family Test and does not provide PR by itself.

Key Differences Between Parent Visas

PR vs Temporary

103/143/804/864 are permanent visas. 173/884/870 are temporary visas (some can be stepping stones to permanent options).

Onshore vs Offshore

“Aged” parent visas (804/864/884) are typically lodged onshore (if eligible). Non-aged parent visas (103/143/173) are typically offshore.
870 can be lodged depending on program rules and applicant circumstances.

Balance of Family Test

Most permanent parent visas require Balance of Family Test. Subclass 870 is a key exception (no Balance of Family Test).

Cost & queue strategy

Contributory visas typically have higher government charges but often shorter queues than non-contributory options.
Many families combine a long-term PR plan with a temporary stay strategy (e.g., 870).

Step-by-Step Guides (By Visa Group)

Below are streamlined process guides for each parent visa category. We tailor the pathway based on whether your parents are onshore,
“aged”, and whether you want temporary stay while waiting for a permanent outcome.

Subclass 103 (Offshore PR – Non-contributory)

Eligibility review: sponsor status, “settled” requirement, Balance of Family Test
Prepare application: identity, relationship, children details, residence evidence
Lodge application: submit correct forms and supporting evidence
Queue stage: await queue progress and requests from Home Affairs
AoS + final checks: complete AoS (if required), health and character before grant

Subclass 143 / 173 (Offshore – Contributory)

143 is the permanent contributory parent visa. 173 is a temporary contributory option that can be used as a staged pathway.

Eligibility review: sponsor, Balance of Family Test, health/character planning
Choose strategy: direct 143 vs staged 173 → 143 pathway
Lodge application: complete forms + relationship + family composition evidence
Queue/assessment: respond to Department requests and keep details updated
AoS + payments: organise AoS, bond (if applicable), final medical/police checks

Subclass 804 / 864 / 884 (Onshore – Aged Parent)

“Aged parent” options are generally onshore pathways for parents who meet the “aged” requirement (linked to Age Pension age concept),
with non-contributory and contributory variants.

Onshore eligibility check: aged requirement, lawful stay, sponsor and Balance of Family Test
Select pathway: 804 (PR non-contributory) vs 864 (PR contributory) vs 884 → 864 staged
Lodge application: submit onshore application with complete evidence
Bridging strategy: manage lawful status and conditions while processing
AoS + final checks: AoS/bond (if required), health/character completion before grant

Subclass 870 (Temporary Sponsored Parent)

Subclass 870 is designed for parents to stay in Australia temporarily with their children. It is not a PR visa and does not require Balance of Family Test.

Sponsor eligibility: child meets sponsorship criteria (including income thresholds)
Sponsorship approval: sponsor lodges and receives approval
Visa application: parent lodges 870 application with health/character evidence
Visa grant: stay for 3 or 5 years (as granted), with conditions
Long-term planning: consider permanent parent visa strategy in parallel (where eligible)

Eligibility Summary (What You’ll Typically Need)

For most permanent parent visas

Eligible sponsor: settled Australian citizen / PR / eligible NZ citizen
Pass the Balance of Family Test
Meet health and character requirements
Assurance of Support (AoS) often required before grant
Provide strong relationship + family composition evidence

For Aged Parent (onshore) options

Meet the “aged” requirement (pension age concept)
Be in Australia and generally hold a lawful status at key stages
Pass Balance of Family Test
Plan bridging visa strategy carefully to remain lawful

For Sponsored Parent (Temporary) 870

No Balance of Family Test requirement
Sponsor must meet sponsorship criteria (including income threshold)
Health and character requirements apply
Temporary stay only — no direct PR outcome

Note: Eligibility depends on your family structure, sponsor status, and current visa position (especially for onshore aged parent pathways).
We assess your situation and recommend the most realistic and efficient pathway.

Can Other Family Members Be Included?

Parent visas are designed primarily for the parent(s). Some applications may include eligible dependent family members in limited circumstances.
We confirm eligibility and advise the correct approach so the application remains compliant.

How Aspire Global Migration Helps Your Family

Parent visas are paperwork-heavy and strategy-driven. We help you reduce refusal risk, prevent delays, and choose the smartest path
based on your family composition, sponsor status, and whether your parents are onshore or offshore.

Balance of Family Test audit

We map all children’s residency, status and eligibility to confirm you meet the test.

AoS & sponsor readiness

We guide your sponsor/assurer through AoS requirements and preparation.

Onshore bridging strategy

For aged parent pathways, we plan lawful stay, conditions and timing carefully.

Decision-ready documents

Identity, relationship, family composition, sponsor evidence, medicals/police — all structured correctly.