Australia offers several visa options for parents who wish to join their children and live in Australia. These visas cater to different circumstances, including temporary, contributory, and non-contributory categories. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you understand the parent visa options.

Types of Parent Visas

1. Permanent Parent Visas:

• Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (Offshore):
  • No age requirement.
  • Long processing time (~29 years).
  • Reasonable Visa Application Charge (VAC).
  • Must meet the Balance of Family Test.
• Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (Onshore):
  • Requires applicants to meet Australian pension age criteria.
  • Long processing time (~29 years).
  • Eligible for a bridging visa during processing.
  • Must meet the Balance of Family Test.

2. Contributory Parent Visas:

• Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa (Offshore):
  • Expensive VAC.
  • Faster processing compared to non-contributory visas.
  • Transition available via Subclass 173 (Temporary).
  • Must meet the Balance of Family Test.
• Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Onshore):
  • Similar to Subclass 143 but designed for aged applicants.
  • Eligible for a bridging visa during processing.
  • Must meet the Balance of Family Test.

3. Temporary Parent Visas:

• Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent Visa:
  • Up to 3-5 years per visa, with a maximum stay of 10 years.
  • Does not lead to permanent residency.
  • No Balance of Family Test.
  • Requires sponsorship by an eligible Australian child.

4. Provisional Visas:

• Subclass 173 & 884:
  • Temporary pathways to Subclasses 143 and 864.
  • Allows staged VAC payments.
  • Must meet the Balance of Family Test.

Key Eligibility Criteria

Balance of Family Test (BOFT):

• At least half of the applicant’s children must be permanently residing in Australia or more children in Australia than in any other single country.
• This requirement is not waivable under any circumstances.

Assurance of Support (AoS):

• Financial commitment by an assurer to repay any social security benefits claimed by the applicant.

Medicare Eligibility During the Parent Visa Application Process

Applicants for a Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa or a Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa may access Medicare while their application is being processed if they hold one of the following temporary visas:

• Subclass 173 Temporary Contributory Parent Visa
• Subclass 884 Temporary Contributory Aged Parent Visa

Additionally, applicants from countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia may qualify for Medicare while their visa is being assessed. Eligibility depends on meeting the conditions of the agreement with their respective country.

These arrangements provide interim healthcare access while applicants await the final outcome of their permanent visa applications.

Processing Times

Parent visas can take anywhere from 12 years (contributory pathways) to 29 years (non-contributory pathways). Temporary visas such as Subclass 870 are processed relatively faster due to their capped annual allocations.

Costs

• Non-contributory visas are more affordable but have prolonged wait times.
• Contributory visas, while expensive, offer faster outcomes.

How Visa Finder Can Help

Navigating the complexities of parent visas can be overwhelming, but Visa Finder makes the process seamless. Our expert migration agents can assist with:

• Determining the best parent visa pathway based on your circumstances.
• Guiding sponsors through financial and eligibility requirements.
• Helping applicants meet the Balance of Family Test and Assurance of Support obligations.
• Assisting with Medicare eligibility for temporary visa holders.
• Managing application processes to ensure accuracy and compliance with immigration laws.

Reunite with Your Family in Australia – Start Your Application Today!

Visa Finder is dedicated to helping families reunite through the right visa pathways. Whether you are looking for a contributory parent visa for a faster outcome or a non-contributory option for a more affordable solution, our migration experts are here to help.

Book a consultation today! Click here to get started, or reach out to our team for expert guidance on your visa application.