If you are seeking information on the new Long Stay 870 for parents, please see this page
Australia Parent Visa
Australian Parent Visas are for overseas parents who have children who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia. There are two main categories for parents wishing to migrate to Australia:
Australian Contributory Parent scheme (expensive)
- Contributory Parent (143) (Offshore)
- Contributory Aged Parent (864) (Onshore)
Australian Parent Visa
- Aged Parent (804) (Onshore)
- Parent (103) (Offshore)
The main criteria for both parent categories are the same. However, applicants for the Contributory Parent category are required to make a significant contribution to their future health and welfare costs. The “Contributory category” also offers temporary options (173 and 884) valid for 2 years. Holders of a temporary Contributory Parent permits are able to subsequently apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visas (143 or 864).
The number of Parent applications that can be approved annually is capped, but there is more than 3 times the number of places for Contributory Parent applicants than the non-contributory Parent applicants and, Contributory Parent applicants have a higher processing priority.
You must be the parent of, and be sponsored by, your child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Applicants must meet the ‘balance of family’ test – see below.
In addition, the Public Interest Criteria (PIC) must also be met (Health and Character (Police Clearances)). An Assurance of Support (AoS) bond must be provided. This is usually organised through Centrelink and is requested by the Home Affairs during processing.
‘Settled’ is defined as having lived in Australia for a reasonable period, that is – at least 2 years.
“Balance of Family” Test (summary)
The number of children of the parent who are lawfully and permanently resident in Australia or are eligible New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia is:
(i) greater than, or equal to, the total number of children of the parent who are resident overseas; or
(ii) greater than the greatest number of children of the parent who are resident in any single overseas country.
Aged parents: for men the qualifying age is 65 and 6 months years. This will increase to 66 from 1 July 2019.
To apply overseas or from within Australia?
Only the “Aged” parents can apply while inside Australia. That is, the parent or applicant (or at least 1 parent) must be over 65 years and 6 months old. This increases to 66 from 1 July 2019. You must be inside Australia and not have any conditions preventing another onshore application. Usually the condition preventing an onshore application is 8503 – No further Stay.
By lodging onshore you will be issued a Bridging Visa A and be allowed to remain in Australia while the new application is processed.
The following apply to onshore/Aged parent applications – 804 Aged Parent , 864 Contributory Aged Parent and the 884 Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) .
If you have a question or enquiry regarding this scheme, please complete the form below and we will get in touch with you soon.