The 10 Year Parent Visa Australia A Complete Guide

If you’ve been searching for a "10 year parent visa Australia," you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common things families look for, but the reality of how you can bring your parents over for that long is a little different from what the name suggests.

The visa that most people have in mind is actually the Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870). This visa lets parents stay for up to 5 years at a time, and you can reapply, allowing for a total stay of up to 10 years altogether.

Decoding The 10 Year Parent Visa Myth

The idea of a single, simple ten-year visa for parents is a popular but misleading myth. The Australian immigration system does offer a way to achieve this long-term stay, but it's not as straightforward as one single application. Getting this right from the start will help you set the right expectations for bringing your family together.

The key is the Subclass 870 Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa. Think of it less like a single ten-year grant and more like two long-term visits combined. Your parents can apply for an initial stay of either three or five years. Once that visa ends, they must leave Australia, but they can then apply for a second Subclass 870 visa. The most important rule is that the total time spent in Australia across all Subclass 870 visas can’t go over a cumulative maximum of ten years.

Understanding Your Visa Options

It’s absolutely vital to know that this is a temporary visa and not a pathway to permanent residency. The Subclass 870 is a fantastic solution for extended family time, but if your goal is for your parents to live in Australia forever, you need to look at other options.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s a quick rundown of the main visa streams for parents:

Temporary Pathway (Subclass 870): This is the visa people often call the "10 year parent visa australia". It allows for that 10-year cumulative stay but requires parents to have private health insurance and gives them no work rights.
Permanent Pathways (Contributory): These visas, like the Subclass 143, lead to permanent residency. They come with a much higher price tag but are processed far more quickly than their non-contributory cousins.
Permanent Pathways (Non-Contributory): Visas such as the Subclass 103 are the lower-cost route to permanent residency. However, due to government caps, the waiting lists are incredibly long, often stretching for decades.

Trying to figure out which stream is right for your family can feel overwhelming. You can dive deeper into all of these in our complete guide to family migration options.

Getting to Know the Subclass 870 Visa

When families start looking for a "10 year parent visa Australia", what they’re almost always talking about is the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870). This is the government's official answer for children wanting to bring their parents over for a long, uninterrupted stay.

It's helpful to think of this visa not as one single 10-year block, but more like two long chapters. A parent can first apply for an initial visa lasting either three or five years. Once that comes to an end, they have the option to apply for a second one, bringing their total time in Australia up to that all-important 10-year maximum.

This design gives families some incredible breathing room, letting them spend quality time together without jumping into the deep end of permanent residency. But it's crucial to remember this is a temporary visa through and through; it doesn't open a door to permanent residency down the track.

Who Can Apply and Who Can Sponsor?

The Subclass 870 is a team effort. The application process has two sides: the parent who is applying and the child in Australia who is sponsoring them. For everything to go smoothly, both of you need to tick all the right boxes.

For the Parents (the Applicants):

Relationship: You must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor.
Other Visas: You can’t have another parent visa application in the queue.
Health and Character: You'll need to pass Australia’s standard health and character checks.
Financials: Any public health debts to the Australian government must be cleared.

For the Child (the Sponsor):

Residency: You need to be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who has been living in Australia for at least four years.
Income Threshold: You must meet a minimum income requirement to show you can support your parents financially without them needing to work. The exact figure changes, so it’s always best to check with the Department of Home Affairs for the current numbers.
Character: The sponsor has to pass character checks, too.

A Major Hurdle You Get to Skip: The Balance of Family Test

Here’s one of the biggest wins for the Subclass 870 visa: it completely bypasses the 'Balance of Family Test'. This test is a deal-breaker for most permanent parent visas, as it requires at least half of a parent's children to be living permanently in Australia.

This makes the visa far more accessible. It shifts the focus away from where all your siblings live and puts it squarely on the relationship between you and your parent, and your ability to support them. It’s a key reason why it's become such a go-to alternative.

Essential Visa Conditions to Live By

Getting a Subclass 870 visa is fantastic, but it comes with a few non-negotiable rules your parents must stick to for their entire stay. Getting these right is key to keeping the visa valid.

No Work Condition (8103): This is the big one. Parents on this visa are strictly forbidden from working in Australia. It’s a visa for family reunion, not for employment.
Maintain Health Insurance (8501): Parents must have adequate private health insurance from day one and keep it for their entire visit. They aren't covered by Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare.
The 10-Year Limit: The 10-year cumulative stay is a hard limit. Once a parent has reached this, they cannot be granted another Subclass 870 visa.

Let's be honest, the processing times for Australia's parent visas have become a real worry, especially for families with elderly parents. With some contributory parent visas now estimated to take over 12 years to process, many are understandably looking at the much faster Subclass 870. You can read more about the latest parent visa processing statistics to see why this temporary option is making more and more sense.

Comparing The Permanent Visa Pathways

While the Subclass 870 visa is a fantastic option for longer family visits, it’s still a temporary one. For many families, the real goal is having their parents settle in Australia for good, which means looking past temporary visas and into the permanent pathways.

This is where things get serious. You’re essentially faced with two starkly different routes: the Contributory Parent visas and the Non-Contributory Parent visas. The choice you make here isn’t just about paperwork; it will fundamentally impact your family's finances, your stress levels, and the timeline for when you can all be together permanently.

Think of it like this. The Contributory route is the express tollway—it’s expensive, but it gets you to your destination much, much faster. The Non-Contributory route is the long, winding scenic road. It costs very little to get on it, but the journey is so incredibly long that you might never actually reach the end.

To help you see the difference at a glance, here’s a breakdown of how the main parent visa streams compare.

Comparing Australian Parent Visa Streams In 2026

Visa Category	Subclasses	Pathway to PR	Estimated Processing Time	Estimated Government Cost per Parent
Contributory Parent	143, 864	Direct Permanent Residency	Years (but significantly faster)	High (Approx. $47,000+)
Non-Contributory Parent	103, 804	Direct Permanent Residency	30+ years	Low (Approx. $6,500+)
Sponsored Parent (Temp)	870	Temporary visa only, no PR pathway	Months	Moderate (Up to $22,000 for 10 years)

This table shows the massive trade-off you need to consider: the speed of the Contributory visas comes at a very high price, while the affordability of the Non-Contributory options comes with a wait time that is simply not practical for most families.

The Express Tollway: Contributory Parent Visas

The main players in this stream are the Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent) and the Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent). The word "Contributory" is key here—it refers to the very large second visa application charge, often called the "contribution."

You're essentially paying a premium for speed. While "fast" in the world of immigration is always relative (think years, not months), this path is lightyears ahead of the alternative. By paying the contribution, families are effectively buying a spot much further up the queue.

For those who can manage the cost, this is often the most realistic and practical choice. It provides certainty and gives parents access to Australia's support systems, like Medicare, far sooner.

The Scenic Route: Non-Contributory Parent Visas

On the other side, you have the Non-Contributory visas, which are mainly the Subclass 103 (Parent) and Subclass 804 (Aged Parent). Their main draw is the much lower government fees, which puts them within financial reach for a lot more people.

But that saving comes with a brutal catch: time. The waiting list for these visas is astronomically long, with official projections now stretching into several decades. No, that isn't a typo. It's the direct consequence of a deliberate government policy.

This makes the non-contributory option an unworkable fantasy for most. While lodging an application "just in case" might sound like a good idea, the sad reality is that many parents will simply not live long enough to see the visa granted. If you're weighing your options, our guide to permanent residency pathways can offer more context.

Why The Long Wait? Understanding The Visa Cap

Australia’s parent visa program operates under a strict annual quota of around 8,500 places. But here’s the crucial detail: the government heavily skews this cap in favour of the high-fee visas.

Roughly 6,800 places are set aside for Contributory Parent visas, leaving a tiny slice of just 1,700 places for all non-contributory applicants. With a waiting list that has ballooned to over 100,000 applications, the maths is grim. At the current pace, the wait time for new non-contributory applicants is estimated to be 30 years or even more. You can find more analysis on the parent visa cap and its impact on the queue on this detailed guide.

Of all the questions we get about parent visas, the one that comes up most often is about the cost. It’s a big topic, and frankly, the numbers can be daunting. The Australian visa system is very much a 'user-pays' world, and budgeting for a parent visa means looking far beyond just the initial application charge.

Getting a handle on the total financial picture from the get-go is one of the most important things you can do. The path you take—whether it’s a faster permanent visa, a slower one, or a long-term temporary stay—will have a completely different price tag.

Breaking Down The Visa Application Charges

The biggest fork in the road, financially speaking, is between the permanent visa options. You're essentially choosing between paying a very large sum for a visa that’s processed in a few years, or a much smaller fee for a visa that could take decades to come through.

There's no sugarcoating it: the financial side of parent visas can be a huge hurdle for many families. For the faster Contributory Parent visas (like the Subclass 143), you’re looking at government fees of around AUD $48,000 to $50,000 or more for each parent.

In stark contrast, the Non-Contributory visas have much lower up-front government fees, but the wait times are measured in decades. Then you have the temporary Subclass 870 visa, often what people mean when they ask for a "10 year parent visa australia". This option costs AUD $5,735 for a three-year visa or AUD $11,470 for a five-year one, offering a middle ground. You can explore more about this visa cost structure and what it means for families trying to reunite.

Demystifying The Assurance Of Support Bond

One of the heftiest and most confusing costs is the Assurance of Support (AoS) bond. This isn't a fee you pay to the government; it's a large security deposit lodged with Centrelink. It acts as a promise that your parents won't need to rely on Australian social security payments once they're here.

This bond is a mandatory part of the permanent parent visa process. Think of it as a safety net for the government. The money is held by Centrelink for a specific period—up to ten years for a Contributory Parent visa—and you only get it back if your parents haven't claimed any qualifying Centrelink payments during that time.

The amount you need to lodge depends on the visa and how many parents are applying:

Contributory Parent Visas (e.g., Subclass 143): The bond is AUD $10,000 for the main applicant, plus another AUD $4,000 for a second adult applicant (like their partner).
Non-Contributory Parent Visas (e.g., Subclass 103): The bond is lower, sitting at AUD $5,000 for the main applicant and AUD $2,000 for a secondary applicant.

A key financial benefit of the temporary Subclass 870 visa is that it doesn't require an AoS bond at all.

Factoring In The Hidden And Ongoing Costs

Beyond the big-ticket items like the application charge and the AoS bond, a number of other expenses will pop up along the way. For a realistic budget, you absolutely have to account for these "hidden" costs.

You should plan for expenses like:

Health Examinations: Every applicant has to complete a full medical check-up with a doctor approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
Police Clearances: You’ll need to chase up police certificates from every country where your parents have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
Biometrics: Your parents might be required to provide their fingerprints and a photograph at a specific collection centre.
Private Health Insurance: This is a mandatory and ongoing cost for anyone holding the Subclass 870 visa, as they aren't eligible for Australia’s public Medicare system.

It's also really important to know that visa application charges can, and do, change. To get the most current figures, you should always check the official Department of Home Affairs website. With so many moving parts and evolving costs, booking an appointment with a migration agent to get the latest advice is always a smart move.

Your Step-By-Step Application Guide

Let's break down what can feel like a complicated process into a clear, manageable plan. The application for the Subclass 870 visa—your pathway to that cumulative 10-year stay—is best thought of as a two-part process. You absolutely cannot start the second part until the first is successfully finished.

This isn't just a suggestion; it's a hard rule. The Department of Home Affairs designed it this way to make sure the sponsor is fully vetted and approved before the parent even starts their own application. Getting this sequence right is mandatory.

Stage 1: The Sponsorship Application

The whole journey kicks off with the child in Australia. Before your mum or dad can even think about applying for their visa, you must first apply to become an approved Parent Sponsor. This is a separate application where you’ll prove your own eligibility to the Department.

Think of it as setting the stage. The Department needs to be 100% confident that you meet all the strict requirements to support your parent throughout their time in Australia.

A strong sponsorship application is all about solid evidence. You’ll need to provide clear proof of:

Your Status: Documents showing you're an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Your Residency: Proof that you’ve been living in Australia lawfully for at least four years.
Your Income: Your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to demonstrate you meet the minimum income threshold.
Your Character: You'll need to satisfy the character requirements, which typically involves providing police clearance certificates.

Only after your sponsorship is approved do you get the green light to move on to stage two.

Stage 2: The Visa Application

Once you have that sponsorship approval in hand, the baton is passed to your parent. It’s now their turn to lodge the Subclass 870 visa application, making sure to link it directly to your approved sponsorship. Having a good grasp of the general landscape of navigating various visa requirements is always a smart first step before diving into any specific application.

At this point, your goal is to prepare what we call a 'decision-ready' application. This means giving the case officer everything they could possibly need to make a decision, leaving no gaps or reasons for them to send a Request for Further Information.

Your parent’s checklist of documents will include:

Identity Documents: Passports, birth certificates, and other official forms of ID.
Relationship Evidence: Documents that prove their relationship to you, the sponsor (like your birth certificate).
Health Insurance: Proof of an adequate private health insurance policy that covers their entire proposed stay.
Character Documents: Police certificates from any country they have lived in for a significant amount of time.

The costs for any visa application are more than just the government fee. You have to factor in the initial application fee, potentially a bond for permanent visas, and other associated costs like health insurance.

This visual breaks down the main cost areas, serving as a reminder to budget for everything involved, not just the upfront government charge. Getting an expert to help can make sure every detail is handled correctly, helping you avoid costly mistakes and giving you the strongest possible chance of success with your "10 year parent visa Australia" plans.

How An Expert Can Guide Your Family's Journey

Trying to make sense of the parent visa system can feel like an uphill battle. Between the complicated eligibility rules, big financial commitments, and painfully long queues, the stakes for your family are incredibly high. It’s at this point that getting professional help stops being a 'nice-to-have' and becomes essential.

Going it alone is a huge risk. A single missed document or a simple misunderstanding of a sponsorship rule can lead to expensive mistakes, frustrating delays, and a whole lot of stress. We’ve seen it happen—one small error can set a family’s reunion back by months, or even years.

Building A Personalised Visa Strategy

A registered migration agent from My Visa Guide does a lot more than just fill out forms. We sit down with you to build a strategy that actually fits your family’s unique situation. Your goals, your financial position, and how quickly you want to be reunited all shape the path we take.

For example, a common approach we use is to get a Subclass 870 visa to bring your parents to Australia fast. While they’re here with you, we can lodge an application for a permanent option, like the Subclass 143. This dual-application strategy means your family can be together during the long wait for permanent residency, giving you precious time you’d otherwise miss out on.

From Sponsorship To Decision-Ready Applications

Our job is to walk you through every single step, making sure nothing is left to chance.

Flawless Sponsorship: We start with your sponsorship application. We’ll make sure it's perfect, with all the right evidence to prove your eligibility and clearly show you meet the income threshold.
Decision-Ready Visa Application: Next, we help prepare a 'decision-ready' visa application for your parents. This means organising everything so meticulously that it minimises delays and shows the case officer you’re serious and well-prepared.

Bringing your parents to Australia is about more than just the visa itself; it’s also about helping them settle in smoothly. Planning for their new life here is just as important, and there are some great resources out there like these senior relocation tips that offer practical advice for the big move.

Your family’s reunion is too important to leave to guesswork. Getting the right support is one of the most critical decisions you'll make. If you'd like to learn more, have a read of our tips for choosing a migration agent. Don’t leave your family’s future to chance—book a consultation today and let's create your personalised roadmap.

Frequently Asked Questions About Parent Visas

Even with the best planning, the parent visa journey can bring up a lot of questions. To help you feel more confident, we've gathered some of the most common queries we hear from families and provided our expert answers.

Can My Parents Work On The Subclass 870 Visa?

In a word, no. The Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) comes with a mandatory 'no work' condition (8103), and it’s non-negotiable. This means your parents are strictly forbidden from engaging in any kind of employment while they are in Australia.

The entire purpose of this visa is family reunion, not employment. As the sponsor, you are confirming to the government that you have the financial capacity to support your parents for their entire stay, removing any need for them to work.

What Happens After The 10 Years On The Subclass 870?

The 10-year limit is a hard stop. Once a parent has been in Australia for a cumulative total of ten years on one or more Subclass 870 visas, they must leave the country. After hitting this maximum, they cannot be granted another Subclass 870 visa.

It’s crucial to understand this is a temporary visa and absolutely not a pathway to permanent residency. If your family’s ultimate goal is permanent settlement, you need a different strategy involving a permanent visa, like a Contributory Parent visa. Many families wisely use the Subclass 870 to stay together while navigating the long waits for permanent options.

What Is The Sponsor Income Requirement For The Subclass 870?

To sponsor your parents, you (and your partner, if applying together) must demonstrate a specific minimum taxable income. The evidence for this is your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

For the current financial year, this income threshold is set at AUD $83,454.80.

This figure is reviewed annually, so it's vital to check the exact requirement when you are preparing to lodge your sponsorship application. This rule exists to ensure sponsors are truly in a financial position to support their parents.

Is The Balance Of Family Test Required For Subclass 870?

No, and this is perhaps the single biggest advantage of the Subclass 870. This visa completely sidesteps the ‘Balance of Family Test’.

This test is a major hurdle for most permanent parent visas, requiring that at least half of a parent's children live permanently in Australia. By not having this requirement, the Subclass 870 opens a door for many families who are looking into the "10 year parent visa australia" but could never meet the strict family-link criteria of other visas.

Navigating the complexities of parent visas requires careful planning and expert guidance. My Visa Guide offers tailored strategies to ensure your application is seamless and strong.

Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation with our migration experts today and let us build a personalised roadmap for your family's reunion.

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