CONTRIBUTORY OFFSHORE PARENT VISA (subclasses 143/173)
The Contributory Offshore Parent Visas are for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who wish to live and settle in Australia, and are able to meet the substantial application costs associated with this visa category.
The process offers a two-step option to manage these costs: the applicant can first apply for the temporary Subclass 173 visa, which allows a two-year stay, and later apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa. Both subclasses allow the parent to live, work, study, and access Medicare in Australia, and to include their dependent children in the application.
A crucial requirement is that the applicant must be outside Australia when the initial visa is granted. The parent must also satisfy the Balance of Family Test, meaning at least half of their children must permanently reside in Australia, or they must have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country. Furthermore, the application requires an Assurance of Support, backed by a financial bond, to ensure the parent will not rely on government assistance. Finally, applicants must meet the standard health, character and compliance requirements.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
CONTRIBUTORY AGED PARENT VISA (subclasses 864/884)
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa pathway is the onshore equivalent to the Offshore Contributory Parent visa, meaning it is designed for parents who are inside Australia at the time of application. It leads to the same outcome of permanent residence, provided the substantial contributory fee is paid.
Like its offshore counterpart, this visa allows for a two-stage application process (884 then 864) to spread the significant cost over time. All applicants must still meet the Balance of Family Test and obtain an Assurance of Support backed by a financial bond.
A key difference is that the applicant for the onshore visa must be of Australian Aged Pension age to apply for this visa, which is currently 67. The offshore parent visa does not have this age limitation. Since this is an onshore application, applicants are generally eligible for a Bridging visa to remain lawfully in Australia while the application is being processed.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
NON-CONTRIBUTORY PARENT VISAS (subclasses 103/804)
The Non-Contributory Parent Visas are a permanent option for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens whose most critical distinction from the Contributory Parent Visas is the severe difference in both cost and waiting time. While they have significantly lower visa application fees, they have extremely long processing time (currently estimated at 30 years or more due to limited annual visa allocations).
Similar to the Contributory stream, the choice between subclasses depends on the parent's location: the Subclass 103 (Parent Visa) is for those applying from offshore (outside Australia), and the Subclass 804 (Aged Parent Visa) is for those applying from onshore (inside Australia). The onshore option requires the parent to be of Australian Aged Pension age (currently 67 or older). The offshore Subclass 103 has no age restriction.
A major advantage of the onshore 804 visa is that the aged parent is generally eligible for a Bridging visa upon application, allowing them to remain legally in Australia during the entire, lengthy processing period.
All other core requirements (such as meeting the Balance of Family Test, being sponsored by an eligible child, and meeting health, character and compliance requirements) are the same as per the Contributory stream.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
SPONSORED PARENT (TEMPORARY) VISA (Subclass 870)
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) is a dedicated, non-permanent option for parents seeking extended, faster-access family reunion with their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen child. This visa offers a pathway to stay for either three or five years at a time, with the option to re-apply for a maximum cumulative stay of ten years in Australia.
Unlike the permanent Parent Visas, the Subclass 870 has two significant advantages: it generally has a much shorter processing time and it does not require the parent to meet the Balance of Family Test. However, the child sponsor must first be approved and meet a minimum household taxable income threshold.
The visa is applied for in two stages—sponsorship first, then the visa application—and it comes with a substantial fee payable to the Department. Key limitations include a strict "no work" condition, and ineligibility for Medicare; comprehensive private health insurance is mandatory for the entire stay. Importantly, this visa is strictly temporary and does not lead to permanent residency.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
CHILD VISA (subclasses 101/802)
The Child Visa is a permanent visa designed to allow the dependent child (biological or step-child) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to or remain in Australia to live and settle with them.
The choice of subclass depends on the child's location at the time of application: Subclass 101 is for children applying from outside Australia, while Subclass 802 is for children applying from inside Australia. A child applying from within Australia may be eligible for a Bridging visa during processing.
The child must be sponsored by their eligible parent. If the child is under 18, consent to migrate must be obtained from all individuals with legal responsibilities for the child. If the child is over 18, they must meet strict dependency criteria: they must be financially dependent on the sponsoring parent, enrolled in full-time education or training, and must never have had a partner or been engaged to marry. All applicants must meet the general health and character requirements.
This visa is not be suitable for adopted children, for whom the Adoption Visa (subclass 102) is be required, or for orphan relatives, for whom the Orphan Relative Visa (subclasses 117/837) is required.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
REMAINING RELATIVE VISA (115/835)
The Remaining Relative Visa is a permanent visa for individuals who are the last remaining family link to their relatives in Australia. It allows them to live and settle permanently as Australian residents. Once granted, the visa holder can live, work, study, access Medicare, and travel freely.
The applicant and their partner must prove that they have no other near relatives (parents, siblings, non-dependent children) living outside of Australia, or living in Australia on a temporary visa. All of their near relatives must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Failure to meet this strict criterion will lead to refusal.
The visa is split into two streams based on location: subclass 115 is for applicants applying from offshore, and subclass 835 is for applicants applying from onshore. While the onshore visa may grant a Bridging visa during processing, both streams are subject to substantial waiting periods.
All applicants must be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative and meet the standard health, character and compliance requirements.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
CARER VISA (subclasses 116/836)
The Carer Visa is a permanent visa designed for individuals willing and able to relocate to or remain in Australia to provide substantial, long-term medical care for an Australian relative (citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen) or a family member who lives with them.
The visa subclass depends on the applicant's location: Subclass 116 is the offshore option, while Subclass 836 is the onshore option.
Applicants must be sponsored by the relative requiring care and must prove they are genuinely willing and able to provide the necessary ongoing level of support. The core requirement is proving that the Australian relative has a medically confirmed long-term condition that necessitates care that cannot reasonably be provided by any other source in Australia. Dependent children can be included in the application.
While this is a permanent visa, allowing the holder to live, work, study, and access Medicare, it is important to note that this visa stream is subject to substantial waiting periods. An applicant applying from onshore may be eligible for a Bridging visa during this lengthy processing time, but an offshore applicant typically is not. All applicants must satisfy the standard health, character and compliance requirements.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
By Mondo Migration | Registered Australian Migration Agent (MARN 2619196)