Australia's Parent Visas:
Reuniting Families Down Under
Welcome to your guide on Australia’s Parent Visas, a heartfelt journey towards reuniting families. This guide serves as your roadmap to navigate the complexities of bringing parents to Australia, covering in-depth the nuances of each visa subclass, eligibility criteria, and the application steps. Our aim is to illuminate your path, making the process of family reunification not just achievable but also a journey filled with understanding and ease. With our expert guidance, you’ll find the process transparent and straightforward, bringing your loved ones closer to you in Australia. Get ready for a journey filled with hope and anticipation.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) offers a valuable opportunity for parents to join their children in Australia, fostering family unity. It caters to parents whose children have already settled in Australia, allowing them to become permanent residents and enjoy the benefits and securities that come with it. This visa is a critical pathway for reuniting families, underscoring Australia’s commitment to family values and the importance of maintaining close familial bonds. By enabling parents to move permanently to Australia, the visa strengthens family ties and provides a support system for both the parents and their children, enriching the multicultural fabric of Australian society.
Who it’s for: Parents of settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Stay: Permanent.
Key Features:
- Allows parents to move to or stay in Australia as permanent residents.
- Enables sponsorship of eligible family members for Australian residency.
- Offers the opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must have a child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Must meet all applicable visa conditions and follow Australian law.
- Cannot have applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) Visa when applying for this visa.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a pivotal visa category within Australia’s family migration program. It caters specifically to the needs of older parents, allowing them to live with their children in Australia during their retirement years. This visa underscores the importance of family unity and support, particularly for the elderly. It grants aged parents the opportunity to spend their later years close to their children and families in Australia, offering them a stable and secure environment. The permanent nature of the visa ensures that these parents can enjoy a continuous and uninterrupted life in Australia, with the added benefit of being eligible for Australian citizenship.
The Aged Parent Visa is an empathetic approach by the Australian government to support family reunification, especially for the elderly who often rely on their children for support and care.
Who’s It For: This visa is designed for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It allows these parents to reside permanently in Australia.
Stay: Offers permanent residency in Australia.
Key Features:
- Allows aged parents to live in Australia as permanent residents.
- Enables visa holders to sponsor eligible family members for Australian residency.
- Provides a pathway to apply for Australian citizenship, subject to eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Should be of age to receive the age pension in Australia.
- Cannot have applied for or currently hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) provides a significant opportunity for parents to join their children in Australia permanently. This visa emphasises family reunification, offering parents the chance to live with their children in Australia. It stands out for its direct pathway to permanent residency and the possibility of eventually acquiring Australian citizenship. The visa requires a substantial financial commitment, reflecting the Australian government’s approach to balancing the demand for family reunification with the economic aspects of migration. The Contributory Parent Visa is an essential component of Australia’s family visa program, facilitating the migration of parents under a framework that supports and respects the needs of both the Australian community and migrating families.
Who’s It For: Caters to parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It enables them to migrate to Australia.
Stay: Permanent residence in Australia.
Key Features:
- Allows parents to relocate to Australia as permanent residents.
- Authorizes the visa holder to sponsor eligible family members for Australian residency.
- Offers a pathway to apply for Australian citizenship, subject to eligibility.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Exceptions apply for those applying under the Retirement Pathway.
- Required to meet the balance-of-family test. Exceptions include applicants for the Retirement Pathway or holders of a Subclass 173 visa.
- Need to have an Assurance of Support, except for applicants under the Retirement Pathway.
- Cannot have applied for or currently hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) Visa when applying for this visa.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) is a significant component of Australia’s family reunion immigration program. It caters to parents who wish to join their children in Australia for a limited period, providing a blend of family unity and flexibility. This visa class acknowledges the importance of family bonds while offering a manageable and temporary solution for family reunification. Its provision for work and study enhances the appeal for parents who desire to be productive or pursue academic interests during their stay. However, the absence of government support underscores the need for self-sufficiency. The pathway to a permanent Contributory Parent visa post the temporary stay period is a thoughtful inclusion, allowing parents to transition to permanent residency should they wish to extend their stay in Australia.
This visa type effectively balances temporary residency with the potential for long-term settlement, aligning with various needs and circumstances of families seeking reunification.
Who’s It For: This temporary visa caters to parents of settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It enables these parents to reside temporarily in Australia.
Stay: Allows a stay of up to 2 years in Australia.
Key Features:
- Permits living in Australia for a maximum of 2 years.
- Provides the opportunity to work and study in Australia, although government support is not available.
- Eligible for application to a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) post temporary stay.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Required to meet the balance-of-family test.
- Must adhere to all visa conditions and comply with Australian law.
- Cannot have applied for or currently hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) provides an excellent opportunity for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to spend significant time in Australia with their family. This visa is particularly tailored to those who wish to have extended visits with their children or relatives in Australia, offering flexibility with the duration of stay. The option to apply for further visas, extending the cumulative stay up to 10 years, is a notable feature, reflecting the Australian Government’s commitment to facilitating family connections over extended periods.
Who’s It For: Designed for parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who want to visit Australia temporarily.
Stay: Allows for stays of up to 3 or 5 years.
Key Features:
- Permits parents to visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per visa.
- Offers the possibility to apply for further visas, allowing a cumulative stay of up to 10 years.
- Prohibits employment in Australia during the stay.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must have an approved Parent Sponsor before applying.
- The visa application must be lodged online.
- The visa application should be lodged within 6 months of sponsorship approval, or 60 days if permission is granted to apply within Australia.
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884)
The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884) is an integral part of Australia’s family migration framework, specifically tailored for aged parents. It acknowledges the desire of older parents to be close to their children in Australia while providing a temporary residency solution.
This visa type is particularly beneficial for those parents who wish to experience living in Australia and enjoy proximity to their family without making an immediate commitment to permanent residency. The ability to work and study adds to the flexibility and appeal of this visa, although it is notable that applicants won’t have access to government support, emphasizing the need for financial self-reliance.
The pathway to convert this temporary stay into permanent residency through the Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) visa is an attractive feature, allowing for an extended stay based on personal circumstances and preferences. This visa type effectively caters to the needs of aged parents seeking temporary residency with the potential for permanence, underlining Australia’s commitment to family reunification while balancing migration management.
Who’s It For: This visa is specifically designed for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, allowing them to reside in Australia on a temporary basis.
Stay: Grants a stay of up to 2 years in Australia.
Key Features:
- Enables aged parents to live in Australia for a maximum duration of 2 years.
- Provides the option to work and study in Australia, but without access to government support.
- Offers a pathway to apply for a permanent Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) visa after the temporary period.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be an aged parent of an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian aged pension.
- The application must be made while in Australia, but not in immigration clearance.
- Applicants cannot have previously applied for or currently hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) represents a significant option for elderly parents looking to reunite with their children in Australia on a permanent basis. Specifically crafted to cater to the needs of aged parents, offering them not only a residence but also the benefits of working, studying, and access to public health care in Australia. This provision underscores Australia’s commitment to family unity, particularly for older members of the community who seek to spend their later years close to their family in Australia.
Who’s It For: This visa is intended for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, allowing them to live in Australia permanently.
Stay: Offers permanent residency in Australia.
Key Features:
- Provides aged parents with the opportunity to permanently reside in Australia.
- Enables working and studying in Australia.
- Allows enrolment in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The applicant must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
- Applicants cannot have previously applied for or currently hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parent Visas
What is the balance of family test? This test requires that at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more of your children live in Australia than in any other country.
How long does the processing of Parent Visas take? Standard Parent Visas generally have longer processing times, while Contributory Parent Visas are processed faster due to higher fees. For an indication of processing times it is recommended to visit The Department of Home Affairs visa processing time guide tool.
Can I stay in Australia while my Parent Visa application is being processed? This depends on the visa subclass and your current visa status. It’s advisable to consult with our Specialist for specific advice.
What are the main differences between Standard and Contributory Parent Visas? Contributory Parent Visas have higher application fees and faster processing times compared to standard Parent Visas.
Is there a pathway to permanent residency with a Parent Visa? Yes, both Standard and Contributory Parent Visas offer permanent residency pathways for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
The Journey to Bringing Your Family Together
The journey through Australia’s Parent Visa process is indeed a bridge to bringing families together. It symbolises a commitment to family unity, offering parents the chance to join their children in a country that values close familial bonds.
Each visa pathway is a testament to Australia’s supportive stance on family reunification. As you contemplate this vital decision, remember our Specialist is here to assist your every step. We understand the importance of family and are committed to making this journey as smooth and successful as possible. Reach out for personalised guidance and support. Let’s take this journey together, turning the dream of family unification into a reality. Your loved ones await joining you in the land Down Under.