Parent Visa Options Australia: Every Pathway Compared (2026)

Australia has two speeds for a permanent parent visa — and a temporary option that skips the queue entirely. This video compares the contributory and non-contributory pathways, the Sponsored Parent visa, and the Balance of Family test every permanent option shares. Figures as at September 2026.

Read the full guide, with official sources →

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Chapters

  1. 0:00 $8,665 or $49,900
  2. 0:15 15 years, or 33 years —
  3. 0:25 Contributory 143:
  4. 0:40 Non-contributory 103:
  5. 0:52 Plus a bond:
  6. 1:03 The 870: no queue,
  7. 1:20 No Balance of Family test.
  8. 1:34 The Balance of Family test:
  9. 1:47 Holding an 870?
  10. 1:59 Form 1436 isn't
  11. 2:11 Adding a spouse:
  12. 2:26 The 143's catch:
  13. 2:40 Where to read more

Transcript

Bringing a parent to Australia permanently can cost $8,665 — or $49,900. Same outcome, completely different price.

The trade-off is time. Home Affairs estimates around 15 years for new contributory applications, and around 33 years for new non-contributory ones.

The contributory 143, applying directly, costs a first instalment of $6,300, then a second instalment of $43,600 — a total of $49,900 per applicant.

The non-contributory 103 is far cheaper: $6,600 first, then $2,065 second, for a total of $8,665.

Both permanent routes also need an Assurance of Support bond, refundable at the end of the period — Services Australia sets the amount and how long it's held, separately from Home Affairs.

There's a temporary alternative that skips both queues: the Sponsored Parent visa, subclass 870. It costs $6,370 for up to 3 years, or $12,440 for up to 5 — but it never leads to permanent residence.

The 870 skips the Balance of Family test and the Assurance of Support — but it carries condition 8103, no work without permission, and condition 8501, mandatory health insurance for the whole stay.

The permanent routes need the Balance of Family test: it's passed if at least half the parent's children are 'eligible' — Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens usually living here.

One order matters: a parent holding an 870 can't lodge a permanent parent visa application while holding it — and can't remain in Australia permanently while a permanent application is decided.

Form 1436 shows up in parent-visa searches constantly, but it's not how you apply. It only adds a dependent child or partner to an application that's already been lodged.

A parent's spouse can join the same contributory application as a secondary applicant — an extra $2,125 at lodgement, then $43,600 per adult, plus a larger Assurance of Support bond that Services Australia sets.

One detail catches people out: for the 143, the parent generally has to be outside Australia when it's finally granted — years after applying — unless they hold a 173 or fit a specific exception.

The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.

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