Permanent Parent Visas in Australia: Subclasses 103, 143, 804 and 864 Explained

Permanent Parent Visa Subclasses Compared

3 Steps to a Permanent Parent Visa Application

1. Check the Balance of Family Test First: This is the threshold issue – if it is not satisfied, none of the permanent subclasses are available.
2. Decide Non-Contributory vs Contributory: Weigh the lower fees and longer wait of the non-contributory route against the higher cost and faster processing of the contributory route.
3. Organise the Assurance of Support: An AoS, including a bond lodged with Services Australia, is mandatory for every permanent parent visa applicant.

Overview

For many families, the goal is not just extended visits but a permanent future together in Australia. The permanent parent visa pathway offers exactly that – but it comes with significant costs, strict eligibility tests, and processing times that can run into decades for some options. Understanding the landscape clearly before committing is essential.

The Central Eligibility Requirement: The Balance of Family Test

All permanent parent visa subclasses (103, 143, 173, 804, 864 and 884) require the applicant to pass the Balance of Family Test. The 870 temporary visa is the only parent visa exempt from this test.

The test requires that at least half of the applicant’s children must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are lawfully and permanently resident in Australia. “Children” includes biological, adopted, and step-children.

If a parent has children spread across several countries, the question is whether the number in Australia is at least equal to – and ideally greater than – the number in any other single country. For example, if a parent has four children – two in Australia, one in the UK and one in India – the test is satisfied because Australia has the most children.

Failing the Balance of Family Test means none of the permanent parent visa subclasses are available – but the Subclass 870 temporary visa remains an option.

Non-Contributory Options: Subclass 103 and 804

These visas have the lowest government application fees among the permanent parent visa options but carry the longest processing times.

Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (for parents under pension age)

The 103 is available to parents under the Australian age pension age (currently 67). It must generally be applied for from outside Australia, and the parent cannot be in Australia at the time of the final visa decision.

Government fees for the 103 start from approximately AUD 7,345 for the primary applicant (2025-26 rates), plus a second instalment payable before grant. However, the processing time for new applications lodged today is estimated at approximately 30 years. This makes it impractical as a standalone strategy for most families, though some families do lodge it as a long-term “set and forget” alongside other arrangements.

Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (for parents of pension age)

The 804 is for parents who have reached the Australian pension age. Its key advantage is that it can be applied for while the parent is already in Australia – and crucially, the parent can remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa while the application is processed.

Processing times are similarly long, but the ability to remain onshore during assessment is a meaningful practical benefit for elderly parents who need ongoing care or family support.

Contributory Options: Subclass 143, 173, 864 and 884

The contributory visas involve a substantially higher financial contribution but significantly shorter processing queues.

Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa (for parents under pension age)

This is the most commonly pursued permanent parent visa for parents under 67. The total cost to the Government is approximately AUD 48,000 or more per primary applicant across two instalments – the first at application, and the second (the larger amount) upon visa grant.

Processing times are significantly shorter than the non-contributory options, with current estimates of approximately 4 to 15 years depending on when the application was lodged. Applications already in the queue will be processed before newly lodged applications.

Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary)

The 173 is a two-year temporary visa that allows families to split the cost of the contributory pathway. The first instalment is paid at the 173 application; the second at the time of the 143 application. The parent enters Australia on the 173 and must apply for the 143 within the two-year period.

Subclass 864 and 884 – Contributory Aged Parent Visas

These mirror the 143 / 173 pathway but are for parents at or above pension age. The 864 can be applied for while the parent is onshore in Australia, which is a significant advantage. Processing is generally faster than the 143 queue.

Assurance of Support

An Assurance of Support (AoS) is mandatory for all permanent parent visa applicants. It is a legal undertaking by a sponsor (or assurer) to financially support the parent and to reimburse the Australian Government for any recoverable social security payments the parent receives during the assurance period – typically 10 years.

An AoS bond is required, lodged with Services Australia. The bond amount varies depending on the visa subclass and whether there is a second assurer. The bond is refundable at the end of the assurance period if no claims have been made against it.

Health and Character Requirements

All permanent parent visa applicants – and any secondary applicants included – must complete immigration health examinations and provide police clearances from every country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Permanent parent visa applicants are typically assessed under PIC 4005 for health (no waiver available), which is stricter than the PIC 4007 applied to partner visas. Applicants with significant health conditions should seek professional advice before lodging.