An aged parent visa Australia options and standard parent visa pathways are among the most popular family migration routes for Australians wanting to reunite with their parents. However, the selection of the right visa may be difficult because each one has varying benefits, requirements, processing times and fees.
Deciding between the visa options depends on parents’ age, where they live, their budget and long-term migration goals. Familiarity with each subclass helps candidates to make smart choices and prevent costly mistakes during the Australia visa application process.
What Is The Parent Visa In Australia?
A parent visa Australia pathway will qualify the eligible parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealanders to live in Australia. Most of these visas are for parents who lodge their visa applications from overseas.
Subclass 103 Parent Visa
Parents of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen are eligible for a parent visa subclass 103 that will allow them to live in Australia permanently with their eligible family members.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency granted
- Access to Medicare after visa approval
- Ability to work and study
- Enter and leave Australia for a maximum of 5 years
Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa
The contributory parent visa subclass 143 allows the parents of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to migrate to Australia and apply for permanent residence.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency
- Work and study rights
- Access to Medicare
- Enter and leave Australia for a maximum of 5 years
Also Read: What Is The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) In Australia?
Subclass 173 Temporary Contributory Parent Visa
The temporary contributory parent visa subclass 173 is a temporary visa for parents of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who wishes to live in Australia temporarily while pursuing a pathway to permanent residency.
Key Features:
- Stay in Australia up to 2 years
- Pathway to Subclass 143
- Work and study rights
What Is The Aged Parent Visa Australia?
The aged parent visa Australia is a visa category that is focused on older parents who are able to satisfy the age criteria for Australia’s age pension and are physically present in Australia at the time of their visa application.
Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa
The aged parent visa subclass 804 is for eligible older parents who wish to remain in Australia permanently and have a closer relationship with their children who are settled Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
The visa 804 Australia pathway is often selected by applicants who meet age requirements and are already visiting Australia.
Key Features
- Permanent residency pathway
- Access to Medicare
- Work and study rights
- Enter and leave Australia for a maximum of 5 years
Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa
The contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 is made for aged parents who want to be permanent residents of Australia with their settled children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
The 864 visa Australia category is one of the most popular options for eligible aged parents.
Key Features
- Permanent residency
- Medicare access
- Work and study rights
- Enter and leave Australia for a maximum of 5 years
Also Read: Working Visa Australia: Who Can Apply and How to Get Approved?
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 884
For aged parents whose children are settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, the Contributory aged parent visa subclass 884 provides an opportunity to live in Australia temporarily while progressing towards a permanent parent visa.
Key Features
- Stay in Australia up to 2 years
- Pathway to Subclass 864
- Work and study rights
What Are The Eligibility Criteria For A Parent and Aged Parent Visa?
There are a number of important Australian visa requirements that applicants need to fulfil before selecting a visa pathway.
General Eligibility Requirements
- Must be sponsored by an eligible child.
- Must satisfy the Balance of Family Test.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Provide the required accurate documents and supporting evidence.
What Is the Difference Between A Parent Visa and An Aged Parent Visa?
| Parameter | Parent Visa | Aged Parent Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Age Requirement | No minimum pension age requirement | Must meet the Australian pension age |
| Location of Application | Usually applied for outside Australia | Can often be lodged while in Australia |
| Processing Time | Generally very long for non-contributory streams | Similar long waits for non-contributory options |
| Cost Comparison | Lower for Subclass 103, higher for contributory options | Lower for Subclass 804, higher for contributory options |
| Work and Medicare Benefits | Available once eligible visa is granted | Available according to visa conditions and grant status |
What Are The Processing Times Of Parent and Aged Parent Visa?
Processing times change regularly due to annual visa caps and application volumes.
Current government queue information indicates that:
- Subclass 103 and Subclass 804 applications are subject to very long queues that may extend beyond 30 years.
- Contributory pathways such as Subclass 143 and Subclass 864 generally have significantly shorter waiting periods than non-contributory categories.
| Visa | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Contributory Parent visas | 15 years |
| Parent & Aged Parent visas | 33 years |
Families should always check the current Department of Home Affairs updates before lodging an application.
What Is The Cost Of A Parent and An Aged Parent Visa?
The overall cost of aged parent visa Australia applications depends on the selected subclass.
| Visa | Costs |
|---|---|
| Parent Visa Subclass 103 | From AUD7,345.00 (Includes 2 Instalments) |
| Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 | From AUD48,640.00 (Includes 2 Instalments) |
| Parent Visa Subclass 173 | From AUD32,525.00 (Includes 2 Instalments) |
| Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 | From AUD7,345.00 (Includes 2 Instalments) |
| Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 | From AUD48,640.00 (Includes 2 Instalments) |
| Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 884 | From AUD7,345.00 (Includes 2 Instalments) |
Which One Is Better To Choose?
The answer depends on your circumstances.
Choose a Parent Visa If:
- You do not meet the pension age requirement.
- You are applying from outside Australia.
- You prefer a lower-cost option.
- Processing speed is not your primary concern.
Choose an Aged Parent Visa If:
- You meet the age requirement.
- You are already in Australia on an eligible visa.
- You wish to remain close to family while awaiting a decision.
- You want access to aged parent-specific pathways.
Age eligibility, budget and urgency should be taken into consideration when comparing a parent visa or aged parent visa.
Also Read: What Is The Current 189 Visa Processing Time In Australia?
What Are The Common Mistakes To Avoid?
Many applications of the contributory parent visa or aged contributory parent visa experience delays because of avoidable errors.
- Ignoring the Balance of Family Test: Failure to meet this requirement can result in refusal.
- Applying for the Wrong Visa Category: Choosing an unsuitable visa may lead to unnecessary delays.
- Incomplete Documentation: Missing records often trigger requests for additional information.
- Overlooking Financial Commitments: Contributory visas involve substantial costs.
- Delaying Professional Advice: Working with a qualified visa consultant can help reduce mistakes.
- Not Consulting a Migration Professional: An experienced migration expert can provide guidance tailored to your situation.
- Choosing Unregistered Assistance: Always seek advice from a registered migration professional, such as a registered migration agent Perth.
Conclusion
Choosing between a parent visa and an aged parent visa Australia requires careful consideration. Obtaining professional guidance can help avoid costly mistakes and improve application outcomes because each family’s circumstances are unique.
Ready to reunite your family in Australia? Consult the best migration agent Perth today and receive expert guidance on selecting the most suitable parent visa pathway for your circumstances.
FAQs
1. Can I apply for an Aged Parent Visa Australia while living in Australia?
Applications from eligible applicants are taken from within Australia if they hold an appropriate visa and comply with all requirements.
2. What is the difference between the 804 visa Australia and the 864 visa Australia?
The aged parent visa subclass 804 generally has lower application costs but significantly longer processing times. The contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 offers faster processing in exchange for higher government charges.
3. Should I use a migration agent for my Australia visa application?
Working with a qualified migration professional can help ensure your application meets all requirements and reduces the risk of delays or errors.
