143 Visa (Contributory Parent): Costs, Wait Times & How to Apply in 2026

What Is the 143 Contributory Parent Visa?

The Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) is a permanent visa that allows parents to join their children in Australia. Unlike the standard Parent visa (subclass 103), which has lower fees but a Home Affairs processing estimate of about 33 years for new applications, the 143 charges much higher fees in exchange for a shorter published estimate — about 15 years for new applications. The 143 can be applied for directly, or as the second stage of a two-step process: first a subclass 173 (Contributory Parent Temporary) visa, then the subclass 143 (Contributory Parent Permanent) visa.

Eligibility Requirements

Your sponsor (the child in Australia) must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, be settled in Australia (lived here for at least 2 years in most cases), and provide an Assurance of Support (AoS) — a refundable bond lodged with the government, unless you're applying under the retirement visa pathway. You (the parent) must meet the balance of family test, meet health requirements including a health examination, meet character requirements with police clearances, and not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government. Home Affairs states you meet the balance of family test if at least half of your children and step-children live in Australia as eligible children, OR you have more eligible children in Australia than in any other single country — so a parent with 4 children, 1 in Australia and the other 3 all in the same overseas country, fails the test, but the same parent with the other 3 spread across 3 different countries would pass under the second limb.

How Much Does the 143 Visa Cost?

This is one of the most expensive standard visas in Australia. From 1 July 2026, the first instalment at application is $6,300 AUD for the main applicant. The second instalment, due before the visa is granted, is $43,600 AUD per adult applicant — a combined government charge of $49,900 for a single applicant. These charges are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amount on the Home Affairs visa pricing page before budgeting. On top of this, an Assurance of Support bond applies (refundable at the end of a 10-year period if the parent hasn't claimed certain social security payments) — check the current bond amount with Services Australia, which administers the Assurance of Support scheme separately from Home Affairs. Health examination fees are set by the examining clinic and vary; overseas police clearance fees vary by country, and an Australian Federal Police check is $56. Migration agent fees vary by firm and complexity — there's no official fee schedule. The second instalment is due only after your application has been assessed and approved in principle, so you don't need the full amount upfront.

Processing Times and the Two-Step Strategy

Home Affairs publishes an estimated processing time frame of about 15 years for new Contributory Parent (143) applications, against about 33 years for the standard Parent visa (subclass 103) — both figures are for new applications and are updated yearly. Contributory Parent applications are capped and queued: Home Affairs releases them for final processing in queue-date order once places become available for the year, so an individual case can take more or less than the published estimate. The subclass 173 temporary visa sits in the same queue as the 143 — Home Affairs' own queue-release data shows both visas being released for the same queue dates — so applying for the 173 first is not a way to reach Australia materially sooner. What it does is stage the cost: once a 173 is granted, converting it to the permanent 143 is a much faster step (Home Affairs quotes around 4 weeks for that conversion), and the second instalment on the initial 173 application is lower than paying it in full on a direct 143 application. A migration agent can advise which option suits your family's cash flow, given both paths share the same underlying queue.

The Balance of Family Test Explained

Home Affairs states you meet the balance of family test if at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children living in Australia, or there are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country. For example, a parent with 3 children, 2 in Australia and 1 in India, meets the first limb (2 of 3). A parent with 4 children, 1 in Australia and the other 3 spread across three different countries, does not meet the first limb but does meet the second, because no single other country has more of their children than Australia does. The same parent with all 3 overseas children living in the one other country fails both limbs. If you hold a subclass 173 (Contributory Parent Temporary) visa, you've already met this test and don't need to meet it again when you apply for the 143. This test can be complex with blended families, and it's one of the areas where a migration agent adds value.

Do You Need a Migration Agent for a 143 Visa?

Given the complexity and cost involved, most families use a migration agent for the 143 visa. There's $50,000+ at stake — a refusal means losing the first instalment and starting over. The balance of family test can be tricky with complex family structures. The Assurance of Support requires navigating Centrelink processes. Health requirements are stricter for older applicants, and a medical issue could derail the application. The two-step process decision has significant cost and timing implications. If you'd like to compare agents, submit one case brief at Migratio. MARA-registered agents who handle parent visas will review your case and reply with their consultation fees — you compare them and book one. Comparing is free; consults are typically $150–$300 and you pay only if you book.

Can my parent work in Australia on a 143 visa?

Once granted, yes — the 143 is a permanent visa with full work rights. On the temporary 173, work rights are also included.

Can both parents apply on one application?

Yes. One parent applies as the primary applicant and the other as a secondary applicant. Both must meet health and character requirements.

Is the Assurance of Support bond refundable?

Yes, after the 10-year Assurance of Support period, provided the parent hasn't claimed certain social security payments. Services Australia, which administers the Assurance of Support scheme separately from Home Affairs, sets and publishes the current bond amount.

What if my parent has a medical condition?

Some conditions may result in a health waiver request. Serious conditions can lead to refusal. A migration agent experienced with parent visas can advise on medical risks before you commit the application fee.

Can I sponsor my parent if I'm on a temporary visa?

No. The sponsoring child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.