Australia has a number of options for Parent Visas, which makes it much easier for applicants who are coming from different countries and are under different circumstances. There are both temporary and permanent visa options available - applicants are usually granted a permanent visa when they have obtained a temporary visa and have resided in Australia for several years. 

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There are an array of important factors to consider during a visa application, such as processing time, the costs, the criteria and the intricacies of each family. 

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Main Visa Categories 

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While there is a range of Parent Visas, they are generally divided into 2 different categories:

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Non-Contributory Parent Visas

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• Have a considerably low second visa application charge (which is subject to change with time)
• Have a current processing time of approximately 30 years 

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Contributory Parent Visas 

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• Have a considerably high second visa application charge (which is subject to change with time)
• Have a current processing time of approximately 6-7 years

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Within the Contributory Parent Visas category, there are 2 distinctions as well: 

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• Permanent Contributory Parent Visa: Gives the applicant immediate permanent residency
• Temporary Contributory Parent Visa: This visa is valid for 2 years and facilitates the holder’s application for a Permanent Contributory Parent Visa

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What is the difference between both visa categories?

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The key difference between Non-Contributory and Contributory Parent Visas are the processing times and the fees applicable. Usually, Non-Contributory Parent Visas are unlikely to ever receive a decision due to the extremely long processing time. In such cases, it is wise for applicants to have another strategy in place (e.g. obtaining a Bridging Visa along with an Aged application). 

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Aged Parent Visas and Non-Aged Parent Visas 

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Age is a significant factor in determining which visa an applicant applies for. If an applicant wants to apply for an onshore Parent Visa, they must belong to the ‘aged parent’ category. There are several visa categories aged parents can apply for: 

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• Temporary Aged Contributory (Subclass 884) Parent Visa 
• Permanent Aged Contributory (Subclass 864) Parent Visa 
• Permanent Aged (Subclass 804) Parent Visa 

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Applicants (parents) who do not fall in the “aged parent” category will be eligible to apply for any of the non-aged offshore visa options:

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• Temporary Contributory Parent (Subclass 173) Visa 
• Permanent Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) Visa 
• Permanent Parent (Subclass 103) Visa 

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Balance of Family Test 

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This is also an integral component of any Parent Visa application, and only parents who fulfil the balance of family test criteria will be sponsored for Australian permanent residency. 

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In essence, the balance of family test is conducted to determine which applicant has the closest ties to Australia, and only letting them arrive and reside in the country. Applicants must prove that at least half of their children or step-children are “eligible children”. 

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Eligible children are:

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• Australian citizens, or 
• Australian permanent residents 
• Eligible New Zealand citizens 

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To understand more about the balance of family test, click here.

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Eligible Sponsors 

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All Parent Visas require an eligible sponsor, otherwise, applicants will not obtain their visa. An eligible sponsor must be: 

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• A settled Australian citizen, or 
• A settled Australian permanent resident, or 
• A settled eligible New Zealand citizen 

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“Settled” means a person is a lawful resident of Australia and has been residing in the country for a reasonable period (approximately 2 years).

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Health and Character Requirements

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These requirements are of utmost importance and are not only mandatory for a Parent Visa, but each and every Australian visa. 

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Generally, the character requirements are met by providing police clearance certificates (upon request) from each country the applicant has spent a cumulative 12 months in, over the previous 10 years. 

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Health requirements are usually met with a health examination organised through BUPA (for onshore applicants) or through an authorised panel physician (for offshore applicants).

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AoS - Assurance of Support 

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Assurance of Support (AoS) is another mandatory requirement for several Parent Visas, and proof of it will be requested by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This is a bond provided by the sponsor, which assures the Australian government that the assuree (applicant) will not have to rely on social welfare payments once they enter Australia. 

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There are certain criteria that people have to complete in order to become an assurer:

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• They must pass the income test for the current and previous financial year 
• They must be an Australian resident 
• They must be at least 18 years of age 
• They must provide proof of identity

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To understand the AoS requirement at an in-depth level, click here. 

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Application Fees 

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As mentioned above, the application fees for any Parent Visa will differ depending on the kind of visa category it is. These fees are subject to change. To find out the current fees for a Parent Visa, check out the DHA’s website, which is consistently updated with any changes.  

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Disclaimer: Kindly note that the information provided here does not constitute legal advice. This must solely be regarded as content that provides general immigration information and is not a substitute for professional legal advice that occurs between an immigration lawyer and a client.

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Path Migration strongly recommends readers contact certified immigration lawyers for a holistic overview of the Australian immigration system and a detailed analysis of each case.

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