Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 and 173) Australia: Complete 2026 Guide

143 vs 173: Which Contributory Parent Visa?

There are two contributory parent visa pathways: Subclass 143 — Contributory Parent (Migrant): direct permanent residence visa, granted offshore. The applicant must be outside Australia when the visa is granted (though the application can be lodged onshore). Subclass 864 — Contributory Aged Parent (Residence): same as the 143 but for applicants who are already of eligible pensionable age at the time of application. Subclass 173 — Contributory Parent (Temporary): a two-stage pathway. The 173 is granted first (temporary, 2 years), then the applicant applies for the 143 to convert to permanent residence. The 173 costs less upfront than the direct 143. The total cost of the 173 + 143 pathway is higher than applying for the 143 directly, but it spreads the financial outlay over time. For some families, the lower initial cost of the 173 makes it more manageable. A migration agent can model the full cost comparison for your specific situation.

The Balance of Family Test

To qualify for a parent visa (contributory or standard), the applicant must pass the Balance of Family Test. This test assesses how many of the parent's children live in Australia compared to other countries. The parent qualifies if: at least half of their children permanently reside in Australia; or more of the parent's children permanently reside in Australia than in any other single country. 'Children' includes biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren — regardless of age. Children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents count toward the Australian side of the test. If the parent has 4 children, 2 in Australia and 2 in the UK, the test is tied — half qualify but not more than half live in one country, so the parent must pass the 'more in Australia than any other single country' limb. Complex family structures (divorced parents, blended families) can require careful evidence preparation for this test.

Costs: What the Contributory Parent Visa Actually Costs

The Contributory Parent visa is one of the most expensive Australian visas. The financial commitment comes in two stages: First instalment (lodgement): Subclass 143 — approximately AUD 4,885 (visa application charge). Subclass 173 — approximately AUD 4,885 (visa application charge). Second instalment (before visa grant): Subclass 143 — approximately AUD 43,600 per applicant (second instalment of visa application charge). Subclass 173 — approximately AUD 22,010 per applicant (then another ~$22,010+ for the subsequent 143 application). These figures are approximate and subject to annual indexation — check the current charges on the Department of Home Affairs website. Additional costs include: health examinations for each family member; police clearances; migration agent fees ($2,000–$8,000+ for a full-service contributory parent application); potential assurance of support bond (compulsory for most parent visa applicants: currently $10,000 for the primary applicant + $4,000 for the secondary applicant, held for 10 years). Total out-of-pocket cost for a Subclass 143 for two parents can exceed $120,000 when all costs are included.

Processing Times and What to Expect

Despite the 'contributory' nature of the visa (which was meant to deliver faster processing), processing times for contributory parent visas are substantial. Current Department of Home Affairs data indicates: Subclass 143 processing time: approximately 5–8 years from application to grant for most applicants. Subclass 173 processing time: similar to the 143 for the temporary visa, then the 143 stage follows. These timelines reflect the significant number of applications in the queue and the annual visa program caps. Applications are processed in queue order based on lodgement date — you cannot fast-track beyond submitting the application as soon as eligibility is confirmed. During the wait, the parent should maintain and renew visitor visas (or the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent visa — see our 870 guide) to spend time in Australia. Lodging the parent visa application as early as eligibility is confirmed locks in a queue position. A migration agent can ensure the application is complete and lodged correctly so no time is lost on technical deficiencies.

Assurance of Support: The Bond Requirement

Before most parent visas are granted, the Department requires an Assurance of Support (AoS) — a bond paid to the Australian Government by the assuring person (usually the Australian child sponsoring the parent) and held for 10 years from the date of the visa grant. The AoS amount for the primary applicant is currently $10,000 and $4,000 for additional applicants in the family unit. This money is held by the Department of Social Services and is returned in full at the end of the 10-year period if no claim has been made on it. A claim can be made if the parent accesses certain Australian government income support payments during the 10-year period. The AoS is a financial guarantee that the sponsoring child (and their spouse) will support the parent and prevent them becoming a burden on the Australian social security system. The AoS is lodged separately from the visa application and must be approved and paid before the visa can be granted.

Where the Queue Is Now (2026)

Parent visa places are capped each year, so applications sit in a queue before they are processed. The contributory stream receives the large majority of the annual parent places (roughly 6,000 of about 7,000), which is why it moves far faster than the non-contributory Subclass 103. As at 30 April 2026, the Department was releasing Contributory Parent applications with a queue date up to around November 2018 for final processing — so a newly lodged Subclass 143 today should plan for an end-to-end wait in the order of 12 to 15 years, with roughly the first seven of those spent reaching the front of the queue before active processing begins. The non-contributory Subclass 103 is dramatically slower again, with the Department estimating waits measured in decades. Queue release dates move over time and are published by the Department — check the current 'Parent visas: queue release dates and processing times' page on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before relying on any figure.

Is there a faster parent visa option?

The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa can be granted much faster — often within months — and allows the parent to live in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years. It does not lead to permanent residence on its own, but many families use it to bridge the contributory parent visa queue. See our 870 visa guide for details.

Can the parent apply if they are already in Australia on a visitor visa?

Yes. The Subclass 143 application can be lodged onshore, but the visa is typically granted offshore — the parent must be outside Australia at time of grant. Some applicants lodge onshore and then depart to wait for the grant offshore. This should be planned with a migration agent to avoid issues with tourist visa conditions during the wait.

What happens to the parent's application if the Australian child dies?

The application can generally continue if other eligible children in Australia can substitute as the sponsoring relative. This is a sensitive and complex situation — seek immediate advice from a registered migration agent if this circumstance arises.

Does the parent need to pass a health check?

Yes. All parent visa applicants must undergo health examinations (medical and chest X-ray) through a panel physician. Health requirements are age-adjusted — older applicants may face more detailed health assessment. Health-based refusals are possible, particularly for applicants with significant health conditions that would place an unreasonable cost burden on the Australian healthcare system.