Parent Visa 143 vs 173: The Complete Comparison Guide

The Two-Stage vs Direct Pathway

The structural difference: (1) Subclass 143 — direct contributory parent permanent residence. The applicant pays the 143's second instalment (AUD 43,600 per adult applicant from 1 July 2026) and is granted permanent residence directly when the visa is approved; (2) Subclass 173 — temporary contributory parent visa. The applicant pays the 173's own instalments (AUD 4,245 first instalment plus AUD 29,130 second instalment, AUD 33,375 total), is granted a temporary visa for 2 years, then applies for the 143 as a 173 holder — a further AUD 555 first instalment plus AUD 19,420 second instalment (AUD 19,975 total). Added together, the two-stage route (AUD 53,350) costs about AUD 3,450 more than going straight to the 143 (AUD 49,900), because two separate application charges are paid instead of one. Home Affairs releases 143 and 173 applications for final processing from the same queue on the same dates, so the two-stage route stages the cost across two payments — it does not get a decision any sooner. Choosing between 143 and 173 is about cash flow, not speed.

Actual Costs in 2026

Cost breakdown for one parent applicant, current as at 1 July 2026: (1) Subclass 143 direct — first instalment AUD 6,300 at lodgement, second instalment AUD 43,600 before grant. Total AUD 49,900; (2) Subclass 173 then 143 — the 173 itself costs AUD 33,375 (AUD 4,245 first instalment plus AUD 29,130 second instalment); converting to the 143 as a 173 holder then costs a further AUD 19,975 (AUD 555 plus AUD 19,420). The two-stage route totals AUD 53,350, spread across two payments instead of one. For a couple applying together on the direct 143, the first instalment is AUD 6,300 plus AUD 2,125 for the partner (AUD 8,425), and the second instalment is AUD 43,600 for each adult (AUD 87,200) — a government-charge total of AUD 95,625, not a simple doubling of the single-applicant figure, because only the second instalment is charged in full per adult. Adult dependent children, where included, add their own instalments. On top of the visa application charge, most parent visa grants also require an Assurance of Support — a refundable bond whose amount and holding period Services Australia sets and publishes on its Assurance of Support page — plus health examinations, police certificates, private health insurance while the application is processed onshore, and any migration agent's own fees, none of which Home Affairs bundles into a single published total. The contributory stream costs far more than the non-contributory 103/804 pair in application charges, in exchange for a shorter published processing estimate.

Processing Times: The Reality

Home Affairs estimates about 15 years for new Contributory Parent applications (143, 173, 864 and 884) as at 31 May 2026, and had by that date released applications with a queue date up to November 2018 for final processing. The Department assesses each application in lodgement-date order once it meets the core visa criteria, then releases queued applications for final processing as places become available in each migration program year. The government sets one Parent-category planning level across all six parent subclasses — 8,500 places for 2025–26 and 7,060 for 2026–27, per Home Affairs' Migration Program planning levels — without publishing a forward split between the contributory and non-contributory queues. Non-contributory Parent visas (Subclass 103 and 804) carry a longer published estimate — about 33 years for new applications — with released applications, as at 31 May 2026, having a queue date up to February 2014. Both estimates can change with future planning levels. Plan around a multi-year wait either way: (1) Health and character requirements are checked at the time of decision, not lodgement — many applicants who were healthy at lodgement develop conditions during the wait that affect PIC 4005; (2) Family circumstances can change substantially over a decade or more in the queue — sponsor death, divorce, or family relocation can all affect the pathway.

Eligibility and Sponsorship

Contributory parent visa eligibility requires: (1) Parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen settled in Australia; (2) 'Balance of family' test — at least half of the parent's children must be Australian permanent residents/citizens/eligible NZ citizens settled in Australia, OR more children must be in Australia than in any other single country; (3) The Australian citizen/PR child sponsors the parent; (4) Assurance of Support — a sponsor (often a family member) lodges a refundable bond, with the amount and holding period set and published by Services Australia on its Assurance of Support page. The balance of family test is sometimes a problem for parents with many children — if it isn't met on either limb, the parent doesn't qualify regardless of other circumstances. The 'settled' requirement means the sponsoring child has been resident in Australia for typically 2+ years. Health requirements apply — PIC 4005 commonly affects elderly parent visa applicants. Health waivers are sometimes available for contributory parent visas but the waiver criteria are strict and rejected if cost projection is significantly above threshold.

Strategy: Which to Choose

Choose Subclass 143 (direct) if: (1) You have the full VAC at lodgement available; (2) Cash flow is not a concern; (3) You don't need temporary status interim — you can wait for grant; (4) You want the simplicity of single application. Choose Subclass 173 then 143 if: (1) Cash flow is a concern — staggered payments over years are easier to manage; (2) Family circumstances suggest pursuing the 173 temporary visa first (e.g., needing to be in Australia temporarily for medical reasons, family events); (3) You want to test the pathway with the smaller initial commitment. Practical reality: most contributory parent applicants are funded by their Australian-resident children. The child's cash flow consideration often drives the choice. The 173 pathway preserves cash flow at the expense of slightly higher total cost. Both pathways have effectively the same processing queue and same overall timeline. Migratio is Australia's marketplace for finding and comparing MARA-registered migration agents. Migratio matches applicants with MARA-registered agents who specialise in parent visa pathways. Submit your brief describing the parent's circumstances, family situation, and target Australian state.

Can I add my partner to my parent visa?

Yes — the parent's spouse can be included in the visa application. Both pay VAC fees. The spouse doesn't need to independently meet the parent eligibility; they migrate as the parent's spouse.

What happens if the sponsoring child moves overseas during processing?

The sponsor must continue to be settled in Australia at the time of grant. Sponsor departure during processing can complicate the application. Significant changes should be notified to the Department.

Can I work in Australia on a 173 visa?

Yes — the 173 is a temporary visa with full work rights. Many 173 visa holders work in Australia during the 173 period.

What if my parent's health deteriorates during the wait?

Health is checked at the time of decision. A condition developing during the multi-year wait can affect PIC 4005 assessment. Some health waivers are available for parent visas. Maintain medical care and documentation; have a backup plan if health becomes an issue.

Is there any non-contributory parent visa that works?

Subclass 103 (Parent) and 804 (Aged Parent) exist but have processing queues measured in decades. They are not realistic for most applicants. The contributory stream is the practical pathway despite the high cost.