Parent Visa Cost Australia: What You Will Actually Pay

The two permanent streams: contributory vs non-contributory

Australia's permanent parent visa program sits within the Family stream of the Migration Program. Each year the government sets a cap on the total number of parent visas it will grant — 8,500 places in 2025–26 — and demand consistently outstrips supply by a wide margin.

The government created a two-speed system to manage this. The non-contributory stream (subclasses 103 and 804) charges lower visa fees but places applicants in a queue that, as of mid-2026, stretches well over 30 years for new applications. The contributory stream (subclasses 143 and 864) charges much higher fees — the trade-off is a shorter queue, currently sitting at roughly 6–15 years for new lodgements.

In both cases, a parent must be sponsored by their child (an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen), and the "balance of family" test must be met: at least half the parent's children must live permanently in Australia, or more children must live in Australia than in any other single country.

Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) and Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864)

These two subclasses are functionally identical in cost structure. The 143 is for parents under pension age at the time of application; the 864 is for parents who have reached Australian pension age (currently 67). Both grant permanent residence.

The visa application charge is split across two instalments paid years apart.

**First instalment** — paid at the time of application. Published figures vary slightly as the government indexes charges annually on 1 July. As of mid-2026, the first instalment is approximately AUD 5,040 per applicant (verify the current figure at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging, as fees are updated each financial year).

**Second instalment** — paid shortly before the visa is granted, years after lodgement. This is the large amount that surprises most families. As of mid-2026 the second instalment is approximately AUD 43,600 per applicant. For a couple applying together, that is roughly AUD 87,200 in second-instalment charges alone.

The combined government visa application charge for one applicant therefore totals approximately AUD 48,640 — before any other costs are factored in.

The 143/864 queue has advanced to release dates around late 2018 as at April 2026, meaning applications lodged today carry an estimated wait of roughly 6–15 years before release to final processing (the exact wait depends on future annual caps, which the government can adjust). After release, final processing typically adds several more months.

Non-contributory Parent visa (subclass 103) and Aged Parent visa (subclass 804)

The 103 (for parents under pension age) and 804 (for parents who have reached pension age) are the lower-cost permanent pathways, but the queue situation is severe.

As at April 2026, the Department of Home Affairs was processing 103 applications with a queue date from around February 2014. Applications lodged today would receive a queue date in mid-2026, placing them roughly 30 or more years behind the current processing point at existing grant rates. For most families, that means a parent who applies today may not receive the visa within their lifetime.

The government visa application charge for the 103/804 is also split into two instalments:

- **First instalment:** approximately AUD 5,280 per applicant (verify current figure with Home Affairs)
- **Second instalment:** approximately AUD 2,065 per applicant

Total government charge: approximately AUD 7,345 per applicant.

While significantly less than the contributory stream, the practical reality for most families is that the non-contributory path is not a realistic route to permanent residence within any meaningful timeframe at current processing rates. It may still be worth lodging in specific circumstances — for instance, if a parent is very young, or if the family is comfortable with the indefinite wait and wants to hold a place in the queue — but it is important to enter with realistic expectations.

Side-by-side comparison of permanent parent visa pathways

The table below summarises the four permanent subclasses across the key variables. All government fee figures are approximate and subject to annual indexation on 1 July each year — confirm current amounts on the Home Affairs visa pricing page before applying.

| Visa | For whom | Approx. first VAC (per person) | Approx. second VAC (per person) | Approx. total govt. charge (per person) | Estimated queue for new applications (mid-2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 143 Contributory Parent | Parents under pension age | ~AUD 5,040 | ~AUD 43,600 | ~AUD 48,640 | ~6–15 years |
| 864 Contributory Aged Parent | Parents at or over pension age | ~AUD 5,040 | ~AUD 43,600 | ~AUD 48,640 | ~6–15 years |
| 103 Parent | Parents under pension age | ~AUD 5,280 | ~AUD 2,065 | ~AUD 7,345 | ~30+ years |
| 804 Aged Parent | Parents at or over pension age | ~AUD 5,280 | ~AUD 2,065 | ~AUD 7,345 | ~30+ years |

Note: The 804 (Aged Parent) is unique in that it can be applied for onshore, meaning a parent already in Australia on a visitor visa can lodge from within the country. All other subclasses require offshore lodgement (or the applicant to be outside Australia at the time of application). Confirm current rules with the Department of Home Affairs.

Assurance of Support: the bond that often gets missed

Separate from the visa application charge, most parent visa grants require an Assurance of Support (AoS). This is a financial commitment — lodged as a refundable bond held by the government — guaranteeing that the sponsor will cover certain social security payments if the parent draws on them during the AoS period.

The bond is held by Services Australia (not the Department of Home Affairs) and is refunded at the end of the AoS period, provided no debts were raised against it.

**Contributory parent visas (143 and 864):**
- Bond for one applicant: approximately AUD 10,000
- Bond for two applicants applying together: approximately AUD 14,000
- AoS period: 10 years from the date of visa grant

**Non-contributory parent visas (103 and 804):**
- Bond for one applicant: approximately AUD 5,000
- Bond for two applicants applying together: approximately AUD 7,000
- AoS period: up to 4 years from the date of visa grant (verify current period with Services Australia)

The bond must be lodged before the visa is granted. It is refundable after the AoS period ends with no debts outstanding, but it does tie up capital. Families should plan for this separately from the visa application charge.

The AoS process is administered by Services Australia, and the assurer must meet income thresholds. Check the Services Australia website (servicesaustralia.gov.au) for current income requirements and bond amounts, as these can be updated.

Other costs to factor into your budget

The visa application charge and AoS bond are the two largest items, but they are not the only costs. The following apply to most parent visa applications:

**Health examinations**
All parent visa applicants must undergo a medical examination by a Home Affairs-approved panel physician. As of 2025–26, examination fees are typically in the range of AUD 300–500 per person, depending on the panel physician's location and whether additional testing is required. Costs can be higher if the examining doctor identifies a need for specialist review.

**Police clearance certificates**
Applicants need police certificates from each country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. An Australian Federal Police National Police Check costs around AUD 56 (2025–26). Overseas police certificates vary in cost and can take several weeks to obtain from some countries.

**Migration agent fees**
Parent visa applications — particularly contributory applications — are complex and often span many years from lodgement to grant. Many families engage a MARA-registered migration agent to prepare and lodge the application and manage correspondence with the Department over the years the application is in the queue. Agent fees vary by firm and complexity.

**For the 804 (onshore Aged Parent) visa:** applicants who lodge onshore may need to hold valid health insurance throughout their stay in Australia while waiting for the visa. This can run to AUD 1,000–2,500 per year or more for comprehensive visitor health insurance, and the wait for an 804 can itself be decades.

**Translation costs**
Documents not in English must be translated by an approved translator. Costs vary by language and document length.

The temporary alternative: Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)

For families who cannot commit to the timelines or upfront costs of a permanent visa, or who want a parent to be physically present in Australia while a permanent application sits in the queue, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is worth considering.

The 870 allows a parent to live in Australia for up to 5 years (in two stages: 3-year stay initially, extendable to a combined 5 years, and up to 10 years total across multiple grants). It does not lead directly to permanent residence.

Key cost features of the 870:

- **Application charge (3-year grant):** approximately AUD 6,070 per applicant (verify current figure — fees are indexed annually)
- **Application charge (5-year grant):** approximately AUD 12,140 per applicant
- **Sponsorship application fee:** paid by the Australian child sponsor, approximately AUD 420 for a standard 5-year approved sponsorship
- **Health insurance:** mandatory condition of the visa. The parent must hold adequate private health insurance for the duration of their stay because they cannot access Medicare as a temporary visa holder. Costs vary significantly but budget AUD 2,000–5,000 per year or more depending on the parent's age and the level of cover

The 870 does not require an Assurance of Support bond. However, the mandatory private health insurance requirement is an ongoing annual cost that families often underestimate when comparing the 870 against the permanent pathways.

A parent on a standard Visitor visa (subclass 600) can also visit Australia for up to 12 months at a time, though the 600 does not permit extended continuous residence in the same way the 870 does.

Planning your budget: total cost scenarios

To illustrate how costs accumulate, here are indicative total-budget scenarios for bringing one parent to Australia permanently. These figures are approximate and based on mid-2026 published information — individual circumstances will vary, and all government charges should be verified against current Home Affairs pricing before lodging.

**Scenario 1 — One parent, Contributory Parent (143)**
- Visa application charge (both instalments): ~AUD 48,640
- Assurance of Support bond (refundable): ~AUD 10,000
- Health examination: ~AUD 400
- Police certificate(s): ~AUD 100–200
- Migration agent fees: AUD 3,000–10,000+ (varies widely)
- Estimated total outlay: AUD 62,000–70,000+
- Bond recovered after 10 years if no debts raised

**Scenario 2 — Two parents, Contributory Parent (143)**
- Visa application charge (both parents, both instalments): ~AUD 97,280
- Assurance of Support bond (refundable): ~AUD 14,000
- Health examinations: ~AUD 800
- Police certificates: ~AUD 300–400
- Migration agent fees: AUD 4,000–12,000+
- Estimated total outlay: AUD 116,000–125,000+

**Scenario 3 — One parent, non-contributory (103), lodged speculatively**
- Visa application charge first instalment (only): ~AUD 5,280
- Health examination: ~AUD 400
- Police certificate(s): ~AUD 100
- Migration agent fees (lodgement only): AUD 2,000–5,000
- Second instalment (~AUD 2,065) and AoS bond (~AUD 5,000) payable decades later at current rates
- Note: Most financial planning for a 103 application is deferred, but the application lodgement itself still requires health and police documentation costs upfront.

These scenarios do not include ongoing costs such as private health insurance (if relevant) or repeat health examinations if the original ones expire before the visa is granted — a realistic risk given how long applications sit in the queue.

How much does a Contributory Parent visa cost in Australia in 2026?

The total government visa application charge for one applicant on the Contributory Parent (subclass 143) or Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) is approximately AUD 48,640 in mid-2026, comprising a first instalment of around AUD 5,040 at lodgement and a second instalment of around AUD 43,600 payable before the visa is granted. This does not include the Assurance of Support bond (approximately AUD 10,000 per single applicant, refundable after 10 years), health examinations, police certificates, or professional fees. Confirm current figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au as charges are indexed annually.

What is the Assurance of Support bond and when does the sponsor get it back?

The Assurance of Support (AoS) bond is a refundable cash amount lodged with the government by the Australian sponsor (assurer) before the visa is granted. It acts as a guarantee that the sponsor will cover certain social security costs if the parent draws on them during the AoS period. For contributory parent visas, the bond is approximately AUD 10,000 for one parent (AUD 14,000 for two), held for 10 years from visa grant. For non-contributory parent visas, the bond is approximately AUD 5,000 for one parent, held for around 4 years. The bond is refunded after the AoS period ends if no debts have been raised against it. Contact Services Australia for current amounts and income-threshold requirements for assurers.

Is the non-contributory Parent (103) visa worth applying for?

The 103 (and 804 for parents at pension age) costs far less in government charges — approximately AUD 7,345 total per person, compared to roughly AUD 48,640 for the contributory stream. However, the queue for new 103 applications lodged in 2026 is estimated at 30 or more years at current processing rates. The Department was processing applications from around early 2014 as at April 2026. Whether lodging a 103 makes sense depends on the parent's age, their and the family's financial circumstances, and their tolerance for an indefinite wait. It is not a realistic path to imminent permanent residence for most families.

Can my parent come to Australia while waiting for the permanent visa to be granted?

Yes, several options exist. A parent can visit on a standard Visitor visa (subclass 600), which allows stays of up to 12 months at a time. Alternatively, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) allows stays of up to 5 years (potentially 10 years across multiple grants), though it requires mandatory private health insurance and does not itself lead to permanent residence. A parent who has lodged a non-contributory 804 application can wait onshore while it is processed, though that visa's own queue is decades long. Separate temporary visas bridging a longer permanent queue have separate application charges and conditions.

Do health examination results expire if the visa takes years to be granted?

Yes. Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months from when the examinations are completed. If a parent visa application sits in the queue longer than that — which is common for both contributory and non-contributory applications — the Department may request updated health examinations before grant. This means applicants could face repeat examination costs, and families should account for this in their budget planning, particularly for the non-contributory stream where waits are measured in decades.

What is the difference between the 143 and 864 visas?

Both the 143 (Contributory Parent) and the 864 (Contributory Aged Parent) grant permanent residence and carry the same visa application charges and queue position. The key difference is the parent's age at time of application. The 143 is for parents who are below Australian pension age (currently 67) when they apply. The 864 is for parents who have reached pension age. The 864 also differs in that it can be lodged onshore (the parent can be in Australia at the time of application), whereas the 143 requires the applicant to be outside Australia at time of lodgement. This is the same onshore/offshore distinction as the 103/804 non-contributory pair.