Immigration Law
Parent Visa
Bringing your parents to Australia to be close to family — expert legal guidance through every stage of the parent visa process.
Reuniting with your parents in Australia is one of the most meaningful immigration goals a family can pursue. Australia offers several parent visa pathways, each with different costs, processing times, and conditions. The process involves meeting the balance of family test, providing an Assurance of Support, and navigating one of the most complex and lengthy visa streams in the Australian migration system. At Legal Wave, we guide you and your parents through every step — from selecting the right visa subclass to preparing a complete application and supporting you through to the visa grant.
Parent Visa Pathways
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 & 173)
The Contributory Parent visa offers a faster processing pathway in exchange for a significantly higher visa application charge (VAC). The Subclass 173 is a temporary two-year visa, while the Subclass 143 is permanent. Both are applied for simultaneously. Processing times are considerably shorter than the non-contributory pathway.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The non-contributory Parent visa is a permanent visa with a much lower application charge, but processing times are extremely long — currently estimated at over 30 years due to the size of the queue. It is suitable for applicants who are not in a hurry and wish to minimise upfront costs.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864 & 884)
For parents who are of retirement age and are already in Australia. The Subclass 884 is a temporary two-year visa, and the Subclass 864 is permanent. Both are applied for simultaneously. This is an onshore pathway for eligible aged parents.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
A non-contributory permanent visa for aged parents who are already in Australia. Like the Subclass 103, processing times are extremely long. It is an onshore pathway for parents who are of retirement age and wish to minimise costs.
Our Parent Visa Process
Eligibility Assessment
We assess your parents' eligibility for the appropriate visa subclass, including the balance of family test, age requirements, and health and character considerations. We also assess the sponsoring child's eligibility and advise on the Assurance of Support requirements.
Balance of Family Test
The balance of family test requires that at least half of your parents' children live permanently in Australia, or that more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country. We assess whether your family meets this test and advise on any steps that may be needed to satisfy the requirement.
Assurance of Support
The sponsoring child must provide an Assurance of Support — a legal undertaking to the Australian Government to financially support the parent if needed. For contributory parent visas, a bond must also be lodged with the Department of Social Services. We guide you through this process and ensure all requirements are met.
Document Preparation and Lodgement
We prepare a complete and well-documented application, including identity documents, evidence of family relationships, sponsorship forms, financial information, and health and character documents. We lodge the application and manage all communication with the Department on your behalf.
Health and Character Checks
All parent visa applicants must undergo health examinations and provide police clearances from every country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. We advise on the process and ensure all health and character requirements are met before lodgement.
Visa Grant and Arrival
Once the visa is granted, we explain the conditions and rights attached to the visa, including work rights, Medicare access, and travel conditions. We also advise on the transition from a temporary to a permanent visa for holders of the Subclass 173 or 884.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Bring Your Parents to Australia?
We understand how important family is. Contact us today for an expert consultation on the right parent visa pathway for your family.