Bringing Your Parents to Australia: A Simple Guide to Parent Visas

For most families who have established their lives here in Australia, the next big milestone dream is usually to bring over their parents—either for a visit, a long-term stay, or to settle in Australia permanently. Fortunately, Australia has a number of different visas for just this very purpose. But with so many different types and requirements, the process does sound a bit daunting.

This tutorial will therefore walk you through every aspect of Parent Visa Australia, including Parent Tourist Visa Australia, Parent Visitor Visa Australia, and Parent Visitor Visa Australia, if you’re wondering how to bring your parents to Australia.

 Why Travel to Australia with Your Parents?

Let’s be honest—having parents nearby is something else. For emotional support, support in bringing up the children, or just to spend more time together, most migrants long for their parents to be nearby. And with Australia’s safe healthcare, lovely environment, and family lifestyle, it is just the perfect place for them to spend the rest of their years.

Here’s an overview of the visas and the one most likely to be useful to your situation.

1. Permanent Parent Visas: Long Term

Subclass 143: Parental Contribution Visa

 If you wish your parents to reside with you in Australia permanently, one of your main alternatives is the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143).It’s quicker than the non-contributory version, but more costly.

Highlights:

• Provides permanent residence
• Eligible for Medicare and other concessions
• May lead to citizenship
• Processing time: Approximately 4–6 years

What you’ll need:

• Your parents need to be sponsored by you (you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident)
• They need to meet the balance of family test (see below)
• Pay a significant visa cost (approximately $47,000+ AUD)

Parent Visa (Subclass 103)

The Subclass 103 is a cheap permanent option. But there’s one major catch: processing time. It can take 30 years to be processed, which means it’s impossible for older candidates.

Good to know:

• Still grants permanent residency in the long term
• Is significantly cheaper compared to Subclass 143
• Wait time is decades

2. Aged Parent Visas: For Retired Parents

If your parents are over pension age (usually 65+), they can apply for aged parent visas such as the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864).

Advantages:

• Provides permanent residency
• Less stringent requirement compared to Subclass 143 but for the older parents
• Needs to be in Australia when they submit an application

This visa is perfect if your parents are older, already in the country on another visa, and wish to stay permanently.

3. Temporary Solutions: When a Visit is Enough (for Now)

Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)

For parents who would like to stay in Australia for extended periods but don’t require (or qualify for) permanent residence yet.

Important features:

• Stay for 3 or 5 years, renewable
• Total renewable for up to 10 years
• No family balance test is required
• Must be sponsored by an Australian child

Cost: Approximately $5,000 for 3 years or $10,000 for 5 years

It’s an excellent compromise option: not long-term, but sufficiently long to provide for frequent visitations and meaningful family time.

4. Visitor Visas: Short-Term But Sweet

Parent Tourist Visa Australia (Subclass 600 – Tourist Stream)

If your parents just want to visit and live with you for a short while, say several months, or a year, then the parent tourist visa Australia could be for them. This is one of the Visitor Visa Australia for parents and provides for stays up to 12 months per visit, with multiple entry during a 3 or 5 year period.

Why people prefer it

• Much easier and quicker to get than permanent visas
• No requirement to pass balance of family test
• Ideal for taking short holidays or visiting for some months a year in Australia

Just remember:

• Your parents simply need to intend to visit for a temporary time
• Having strong ties to home country assists the application
• It is highly recommended to have health insurance

The parents visitor visa Australia (especially the 600) is by far the most flexible and affordable option for many families who just want to enjoy regular visits.

5. Balance of Family Test: What It Means

6. How to Apply: Step-by-Step

The application process depends on which visa you’re going for, but here’s a general outline—especially for tourist and temporary options.

Step 1: Choose the correct visa Are your parents coming for a short visit? Want to immigrate permanently? Your decision here starts the entire process.

Step 2: Gather documents Standard documents are:

• Valid passport
• Evidence of relationship to child (birth certificate)
• Financial reports
• Medical reports or health checks (if required)

Step 3: Lodge online  Most parent visas, such as the parent visitor visa Australia, are lodgeable online through the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs portal.

Step 4: Pay the cost The cost varies considerably—from as little as AUD $150 for a tourist visa to over $47,000 for a contributory permanent visa.

Step 5: Wait for a decision Tourist visas are usually processed within a few weeks, while permanent visas can take years.

7. Tips to Improve Your Parent Visa Approval Chances

• Write a letter of invitation that explains why you’re inviting your parents
• Demonstrate financial ability—either theirs or yours as the sponsor
• Purchase travel insurance in advance (for temporary visas)
• Don’t apply for a tourist visa if your parents obviously have no intention of ever leaving Australia (this can lead to rejection)

8. Health and Financial Considerations

All visa applicants have to pass health and character tests. For permanent visas, usually this would be a medical check and police check. Some visas also require an Assurance of Support—a financial bond lodged by the sponsoring child.

Also ensure your parents are properly covered with health insurance, particularly for tourist visas and short-term visas, as they won’t be automatically covered by Medicare.

Final Thoughts: Which Visa Is Right for Your Parents?

There is no single answer with Parent Visa Australia options. Here’s a quick summary:

• Need a short stay? → Take the parent tourist visa Australia (Subclass 600)
• Want a longer visit without permanent migration? → Consider the Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
• Ready to settle permanently and have the resources? → Apply for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 or 864)
• Tight budget and willing to wait? → Think about the Parent Visa (Subclass 103)

Each family’s circumstances vary. The trick is to be aware of your choices, plan ahead, and be truthful on your application.