To be eligible, parents must pass a “Balance of Family†test. This test requires that majority of your children are ‘settled’ in Australia as the permanent residents or citizens or that more of your children live permanently in Australia than any other country.
There are two types of parent visas: Contributory and Non-Contributory:
Contributory is a high-cost, faster processing option – the applicants pay a contribution to Medicare and there is also a $10,000 refundable bond (refunded after 10 years).
Non-Contributory is a lower-cost visa ( no contributions to Medicare or bonds or more limited bonds). This is processed more slowly ( i.e. 10-30 years).
Processing times change and the ones below are estimates.
Bonds are repaid if the parent has not accessed certain welfare payments.
The criteria set out below are very general. We can assist you with this visa and determining which is the most suitable in the circumstances.
| Non-Contributory Parent Migrant | Permanent Residency |
| Subclass: | 103 |
| Eligibility: | There is no age requirement for this visa, you need a sponsor and you must pass balance of family |
| Processing time: | 10 – 30 years |
| Notes: | This is an off-shore visa. You can be in Australia to lodge the application but you will need another visa to stay.  There are no bridging visas with this application. You have to be outside Australia for visa decision. There is no Medicare contribution. Health Insurance is required. Assurance of support is needed for 2 years. |
| Aged Parent Residence | Permanent Residency |
| Subclass: | 804 |
| Eligibility: | This visa is lodged in Australia and provides a bridging visa to stay. Main applicant must be aged (above pension age-usually above 65 y.o), you need a sponsor and you must pass Balance of family. |
| Processing time: | 10- 30 years |
| Notes: | You must be in Australia at the time of lodgement. You must be inside Australia when the visa is decided. You will be granted a bridging visa to stay. No contribution to Medicare. Health Insurance is required. Assurance of support is needed for 2 years. |
| Contributory Parent Migrant | Permanent Residency |
| Subclass: | 143 |
| Eligibility: | There is no age requirement for this visa, you will need a Sponsor and need to pass the Balance of family test. |
| Processing time: | 2 years |
| Notes: | If you are the holder of a subclass 173 visa or substituted 676 visa you can apply in Australia.Other applicants may be in or outside of Australia at the time of lodgement. However there is no bridging visa if you apply inside Australia whilst on another visa other than 173 visa. If you do not hold 173 visa you will need another visa to remain in Australia and you must be outside Australia when decided. Contribution to Medicare is required & Assurance of support is needed for 10 years. |
| Contributory Parent Temporary | Temporary Residency (2 years) |
| Subclass: | 173 |
| Eligibility: | There is no age requirement for this visa, you need a sponsor and you must pass Balance  of family test |
| Processing time: | 12 – 24 months |
| Notes: | You can be in or outside of Australia at the time of lodgement. However there is no bridging visa with this visa, so if it is lodged in Australia, you will need another  valid visa to stay. You pay half the Medicare contribution before approval. Must be outside Australia when approved. |
| Contributory Aged Parent Residence | Permanent Residency |
| Subclass: | 864 |
| Eligibility: | Main applicant must be aged over pensionable (age 65+)- You must have a sponsor and pass the balance of family test |
| Processing time: | 12 – 24 months |
| Notes: | You must be in Australia at the time of lodgement. You hold SC884 Contributory (temporary visa) or other visa. Contribution to Medicare is required. Assurance of support is needed for 10 years. You pay the rest of the Medicare fee before approval. |
| Contributory Aged Parent Temporary | Temporary Residency (2 years – no extension) |
| Subclass: | 884 |
| Eligibility: | Main applicant must be aged (over 65+)- You must be sponsored and you must pass the balance of family test |
| Processing time: | 12 – 24 months |
| Notes: | You must be in Australia at the time of lodgement and decision. You pay half the Medicare fee before approval. |
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