For so many families with roots in Australia, bringing parents over to live with them for good isn't just a wish—it's a deeply personal goal. The Parent Visa 143, officially known as the Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa, is the permanent residency pathway designed to make that reunion happen.
Reuniting Your Family with the Parent Visa 143
This visa offers a direct, permanent route for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to join their children and settle in Australia. It’s what we call the "contributory" option, and for a good reason.
Think of it as the fast-track for bringing your family back together. That speed, however, comes with a significant financial contribution and a set of strict eligibility hurdles that demand careful, strategic preparation.
Why Is This Visa So Popular?
The sheer demand for the Subclass 143 visa speaks volumes. In the program year ending 30 June 2025 alone, a staggering 6,619 Subclass 143 visas were granted, cementing its place as the top choice in the contributory parent category.
These numbers tell a clear story: families are willing to make the investment to sidestep the decades-long waiting lists associated with the non-contributory parent visa options.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the entire journey. We’ll break down:
- What the "contributory" part really means for your finances.
- The non-negotiable Balance of Family Test and other key requirements.
- A clear, step-by-step look at how the application process actually works.
By the end, you'll have a solid grasp of the commitment involved and a much clearer picture of whether this is the right path for your family. Once the visa is in hand, you can start planning the move. A comprehensive moving house checklist for Australia is a great resource to make that transition as smooth as possible.
Disclaimer: Immigration information, including policies and government fees, is subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/. We strongly advise booking an appointment with a registered migration agent to discuss your individual case, as the information in this article may not be current when you read it.
Remember, the Subclass 143 is just one of several options. It's always worth exploring our other guides on Australian family migration pathways to see how it compares to other available streams.
Understanding the Full Financial Commitment
There’s a reason this visa is called “Contributory”—it’s not a secret. It involves a serious financial contribution from you and your family. Think of it as an investment that helps cover the future costs your parents might incur on Australia’s healthcare and social support systems.
In exchange for this contribution, the government puts these applications in a much faster lane. But before you jump in, you need a crystal-clear picture of every single cost involved. No one likes financial surprises, especially not halfway through a visa journey. Let's break it all down.
The Two Big Payments: Visa Application Charges
The main expense for the Subclass 143 visa is cleverly split into two parts. You’ll pay a smaller fee when you first lodge the application, and the much larger, second instalment is only due years down the track, right before the visa is granted.
The first payment gets the ball rolling, currently sitting at around AUD 4,990 for the main applicant. The real heavyweight, however, is the second instalment. This is the significant "contribution" part, costing a hefty AUD 43,600 per parent.
This second payment is what makes the visa so much faster than the non-contributory options, which can have wait times stretching over 30 years. You’re essentially paying to bypass that enormous queue.
The Assurance of Support (AoS) Bond
On top of the visa fees, there's another major financial piece of the puzzle: the Assurance of Support, or AoS. This isn't a fee you pay to the government to keep; it's a security deposit.
Essentially, the sponsor (the "assurer") makes a legal promise to financially support the parent(s) for their first decade in Australia. This ensures they won't need to rely on Centrelink payments. To back this promise, the assurer lodges a refundable bond with Centrelink.
- For a single parent, the bond is AUD 10,000.
- For a couple (both parents), it rises to AUD 14,000.
This money is held for 10 years. Provided your parents don't claim any recoverable welfare payments during that time, the full amount is returned to the assurer. It won't have earned any interest, but you do get it back.
Other Costs to Factor Into Your Budget
While the visa charges and AoS bond are the largest expenses, a few other necessary costs will pop up along the way. You'll need to budget for these as well.
- Health Examinations: Every parent applying must have a full medical check-up with a doctor approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Depending on where you are and what tests are needed, this can run from AUD 300 to AUD 500 per person.
- Police Clearances: You’ll need to get police certificates from every country your parents have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years. The cost for these varies from one country to another.
- Biometrics: In some cases, applicants will need to visit a collection centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph. This service comes with its own fee.
- Private Health Insurance: While it's not a mandatory upfront cost for the application itself, having private health cover from the moment your parents arrive is non-negotiable from a practical standpoint. Understanding the typical expat health insurance cost is crucial for planning your ongoing budget.
To help you visualise the total outlay, here’s a simplified breakdown for a single parent applicant.
Estimated Cost Breakdown for a Single Parent Visa 143 Applicant
This table provides an estimated summary of the various costs involved in a Subclass 143 visa application. Figures are indicative as of early 2026 and subject to change.
| Cost Component | Estimated Amount (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Visa Application Charge | $4,990 | Paid at the time of application lodging. |
| 2nd Visa Application Charge | $43,600 | Paid just before the visa is granted, years later. |
| Assurance of Support Bond | $10,000 | Refundable after 10 years, held by Centrelink. |
| Health Examination | $300 – $500 | Varies by country and required medical tests. |
| Police Clearances | $100 – $300 | Cumulative cost depends on how many countries are involved. |
| Biometrics | $50 – $150 | Service fee charged at the collection centre. |
| Professional Fees | Varies | If you choose to use a migration agent. |
| Estimated Total Outlay | ~$59,040 – $59,540 | This is the initial outlay; the $10,000 bond is refundable. |
As you can see, the numbers add up quickly. This is a significant financial decision for any family. Because these figures can change, it's always best to check the Department of Home Affairs website for the most current fees before you start. For any department fees for any visa, always refer to https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/.
Meeting the Core Eligibility Requirements
Before you even think about the mountain of paperwork for a parent visa 143, it’s crucial to make sure you tick a few fundamental boxes. These aren't just guidelines; they're strict, non-negotiable rules from the Department of Home Affairs. Getting this part wrong is the quickest path to a visa refusal, so an honest look at your family’s situation right from the start is absolutely essential.
Think of it this way: your application is built on three core pillars. You need an eligible sponsor, you have to pass the family composition test, and you must meet Australia's health and character standards. If any one of these pillars is weak, the whole application can come crashing down.
Let's walk through what the Department is really looking for in each of these areas.
Finding an Eligible Sponsor
The first pillar is sponsorship. Every parent applying for the Subclass 143 visa needs a sponsor, and that sponsor has to be their child. But it’s not as simple as just having a child in Australia; that child needs to meet specific criteria to qualify.
Your sponsor must be:
- An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- "Settled" in Australia. This is a key term, and it generally means they’ve been living here lawfully for a reasonable amount of time—usually at least two years.
- At least 18 years old.
What if your child is under 18? There are other pathways. Their adult spouse, another relative, or even a community organisation can step in to sponsor you. It's a serious commitment, though, as the sponsor will also need to provide the Assurance of Support (AoS) later in the process.
The Critical Balance of Family Test
This is, without a doubt, the requirement that trips up most families. The Balance of Family Test (BoFT) is the Department's way of making sure a parent has stronger connections to Australia than to any other country.
To pass this test, at least half of your children must be living permanently in Australia. The alternative rule is that more of your children must live permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
Imagine all your children are weights on a scale. To tip that scale in favour of Australia, you need at least half the "weight" (your children) on the Australian side.
The Balance of Family Test Calculation
The Department counts all of a parent's children, which includes step-children and adopted children. A child is considered 'permanently in Australia' if they're an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who usually lives here.
Here are a couple of real-world scenarios to show you how this plays out:
Example 1: The Parent Passes
- Maria has three children.
- One daughter is an Australian citizen living in Melbourne.
- Her son is an Australian permanent resident living in Perth.
- Her third son lives back in Italy.
- Result: Two out of her three children (66%) are permanently in Australia. Maria passes the test.
Example 2: The Parent Fails
- David has four children.
- One son is an Australian citizen in Sydney.
- His other three children all live in the United Kingdom.
- Result: Only one of his four children (25%) is in Australia. David fails the test.
Failing the Balance of Family Test is an automatic refusal. There are absolutely no exceptions or waivers for this rule, which makes it the most important check to do before you even start an application.
Health and Character Requirements
The final pillar is about meeting Australia's standard public interest criteria for health and character. Every single person on the visa application—even family members who aren't migrating with you—will need to go through these checks.
For the health requirement, you'll need a full medical examination with a government-approved panel physician. The main goal here is to ensure you won't:
- Pose a public health risk to the Australian community.
- Create significant healthcare costs or take away access to services that are already in short supply for Australians.
For the character requirement, you'll have to provide police certificates from every country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years (since you turned 16). The Department is looking to see if you're of good character, and things like a substantial criminal record can easily lead to a refusal.
These checks are pretty standard for Australian visas, but they are taken very seriously. To get a better handle on what’s involved, you can learn more about health and character requirements in our detailed guide.
Disclaimer: Immigration information, including policies and government fees, is subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/. We strongly advise booking an appointment with a registered migration agent to discuss your individual case, as the information in this article may not be current when you read it.
Your Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
So, you’ve decided the Parent Visa 143 is the right path for your family. What’s next? Thinking about the entire application process can feel overwhelming, almost like looking at a mountain you have to climb. But if you break it down into manageable steps, the journey becomes much clearer.
Let's walk through the application roadmap, stage by stage. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint—it’s a process that unfolds over several years, with long stretches of waiting broken up by important deadlines. Getting organised from day one is your single biggest advantage.
Stage 1: Lodging the Application
The first real step is to lodge the application and pay the first instalment of the visa application charge. This is a huge milestone because it officially gets your parents into the processing queue. Once lodged, the Department of Home Affairs will send you an acknowledgement letter confirming they’ve received everything and, most importantly, giving you a queue date.
That queue date is everything. It’s your family’s spot in line, and it determines when an officer will finally look at your file. After that, the long wait begins.
This initial eligibility pathway is the foundation for your entire application. The infographic below shows the core checkpoints you need to clear.
Think of these as the first three hurdles: you need to clear the Family Test, have a solid sponsor, and be prepared for the health checks before you can even think about the finish line.
Stage 2: The Waiting Game and Initial Assessment
After you get your queue date, prepare for a long period of silence. Based on current processing times, this waiting phase can last for years. It's absolutely vital to use this time to keep all your contact details up to date with the Department—you don’t want to miss a crucial email.
When your application finally works its way to the top of the queue, a case officer will be assigned. They’ll do an initial check to make sure all the preliminary requirements, like the Balance of Family Test, are still met. If all looks good, you'll be moved on to the next, more active stage.
Stage 3: Responding to Official Requests
This is where things start moving again, and you need to be ready to act fast. The case officer will send a formal request for more information, and you’ll have a strict deadline to provide everything.
Typically, you’ll be asked to get the following done:
- Health Examinations: Your parents will need to book medical check-ups with a government-approved panel physician.
- Police Clearances: It’s time to gather new police certificates from every country where the applicants have lived for 12 months or more in the last decade.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): The sponsor gets the green light to apply for the AoS through Centrelink. This is where the income test happens and the substantial bond is lodged.
It is absolutely critical to respond to these requests promptly and provide all required documents by the deadline. Failure to do so can result in your application being refused without further notice.
Stage 4: Paying the Second Instalment
Once the AoS is approved and the health and character checks are cleared, the letter you've been waiting for will arrive. It’s the request to pay the second visa application charge—the very large "contribution" that gives this visa its name.
This amount is currently over $43,600 per parent. You will be given a set timeframe to make this payment. This is the last major financial hurdle before a final decision is made. For any department fees for any visa, always refer to https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/.
Stage 5: The Final Visa Grant
After the second instalment is paid and confirmed, you're on the home stretch. However, there’s one last, crucial condition: the visa applicants must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
If your parents are visiting you in Australia on another visa, they’ll need to leave the country. The Department will let you know when it’s time for them to travel. Once they are offshore and you've notified the case officer, the visa grant notice is usually issued within a few days. Just like that, they are officially Australian permanent residents.
Disclaimer: Immigration information, including policies and government fees, is subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website. We strongly advise booking an appointment with a registered migration agent to discuss your individual case, as the information in this article may not be current when you read it.
Comparing Timelines and Alternative Visa Pathways
Once you've wrapped your head around the application process for the parent visa 143, two big questions almost always pop up: How long is this going to take, and what if this isn't the right fit? These aren't just minor details; the answers are everything when it comes to planning your family's future.
The Subclass 143 is the gold standard for permanence, but its marathon-like wait time simply doesn't work for everyone. Let's walk through the current processing realities and then stack the 143 visa up against some of the other common pathways. This will give you a much clearer sense of the trade-offs you're making between speed, cost, and long-term settlement.
Understanding Parent Visa 143 Processing Times
The wait time for a Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) visa is probably the biggest factor you'll need to plan around. It's crucial to realise that "processing time" isn't just about how long an officer takes to look at your paperwork. It's almost entirely about how long it takes for your application to get to the front of a very, very long queue.
Right now, if you lodge a new Subclass 143 application, you should brace for a wait of at least 6 years. This isn't an arbitrary number; it's a direct result of the huge number of applications coming in versus the very limited number of visa spots the government releases each year. For the 2024-2025 program year, for instance, a cap of only 6,800 places was set for all Contributory Parent visas combined.
This incredibly long wait just underscores how critical it is to get your application perfect from day one. Any little mistake or missing document can cause even more delays when a case officer finally picks up your file years down the track.
Alternative 1: The Two-Step Temporary to Permanent Path (Subclass 173 to 143)
What if the huge upfront cost of the 143 visa is the main sticking point? The two-step pathway is designed to help you manage that financial hit by spreading it out. It all starts with the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Subclass 173 visa.
Think of it like paying for the visa in two big instalments over a few years. Here’s the breakdown:
- Apply for the Subclass 173 visa: This gets your parents a temporary visa, allowing them to live in Australia for up to two years. The first, larger visa application charge is paid at this stage.
- Apply for the Subclass 143 visa: Before their temporary visa runs out, you then apply for the permanent Subclass 143. You'll pay the second, smaller visa charge to convert their status to permanent residency.
While this approach definitely helps with cash flow, it's important to know that it does end up being more expensive overall because you're paying two separate government application charges. It’s a strategic choice for your budget, not a way to save money. For any department fees for any visa, always refer to https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/.
Alternative 2: The Temporary Stay Option (Subclass 870)
But what if your main goal is just to get your parents here quickly? If permanent residency isn't the immediate priority, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Subclass 870 visa might be exactly what you're looking for.
This visa is a completely different beast. It does not lead to permanent residency, and you don't have to worry about the Balance of Family Test. It lets parents stay in Australia for three or five years at a time, and you can even renew it for a total stay of up to 10 years. The best part? Processing times are usually just a few months.
The trade-off, however, is significant. Parents on a Subclass 870 have no access to Medicare and are required to hold adequate private health insurance for their entire stay. This makes it a very different proposition from the permanent parent visas.
Comparison of Key Australian Parent Visa Options
To make the choice a bit easier, it helps to see the main features of these three pathways side-by-side. Each one is built for a different set of priorities.
| Feature | Parent Visa (143) | Temporary Parent Visa (173) | Sponsored Parent Visa (870) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residency Type | Permanent | Temporary (2 years) | Temporary (3, 5, or 10 years) |
| Leads to PR? | Yes, directly | Yes, by applying for 143 | No |
| Balance of Family Test? | Yes, mandatory | Yes, mandatory | No |
| Medicare Access? | Yes, upon grant | Yes, upon grant | No, must have private insurance |
| Processing Time | 6+ years | 6+ years | A few months |
| Work Rights? | Full rights | Full rights | No |
This table really spells out the compromise: the 143 visa delivers the ultimate goal of permanent residency with Medicare, but you pay for it with a very long wait and a high financial contribution. The 870 visa gives you speed, but you sacrifice permanence and access to public healthcare. You can explore these and other routes in more detail through our guide on Australian permanent residency pathways.
Disclaimer: Immigration information, including policies and government fees, is subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/. We strongly advise booking an appointment with a registered migration agent to discuss your individual case, as the information in this article may not be current when you read it.
Common Questions About the Parent Visa 143
Navigating the parent visa 143 process brings up a lot of questions. While you might have the big picture sorted, it's often the smaller, more specific details that cause the most headaches for families. We get it. You want to be sure you’re not missing anything.
Here, we'll walk through some of the questions we hear most frequently from our clients. Think of this as getting ahead of the confusion, so you can feel more confident about the journey ahead.
Can I Include Dependent Children in My Parent Visa 143 Application?
This is a common hope for many families, but the reality is that it’s quite rare. The Subclass 143 visa is built specifically for parents, and the rules for adding a dependent child are incredibly tight.
A child can technically be included, but they must be financially dependent on the parent applicant and fit into one of these strict categories:
- They are under 18 years old.
- They are between 18 and 23 and are genuinely a full-time dependent.
- They are 23 or older but are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability, making them completely reliant on the parent for financial support.
Proving that level of dependency for a child over 18 is a very high bar. The Department needs to see clear evidence that they are not just living at home but are wholly or substantially dependent. Given how complex this can be, it's always best to get professional advice from a migration agent to see if your family's situation truly fits the criteria.
What Is an Assurance of Support and Who Provides It?
The Assurance of Support (AoS) is a non-negotiable part of any permanent parent visa application, including the Subclass 143. In simple terms, it's a legal promise from an Australian resident—called the "assurer"—to financially back the visa applicant for their first ten years here.
The whole point is to guarantee that a newly arrived parent won’t need to rely on Australian social security payments. The person giving this assurance (often the sponsoring child, but it could be someone else or even an organisation) has to pass a strict income test run by Centrelink to prove they have the financial capacity.
As part of this commitment, the assurer must also lodge a substantial security bond with Centrelink. This bond is currently $10,000 for one parent or $14,000 for a couple. This money is held for a full 10 years and is only refunded if the parent does not claim any recoverable social security payments during that decade. For any department fees for any visa, always refer to https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/.
What if I Am in Australia When My Visa Is Ready to Be Granted?
This is a critical logistical hurdle you absolutely must plan for. The Parent Visa 143 has a hard-and-fast rule: all applicants must be outside of Australia when the visa is granted. There are zero exceptions.
So, what happens if your parent is visiting on a tourist visa when you get the email that their 143 visa is ready to be finalised? They will be instructed to leave the country.
The Department usually gives you a clear timeframe to make this happen. Your parent will need to travel offshore—a short trip to New Zealand or Fiji is a common strategy—and once they’ve left, you notify your case officer. The visa is typically granted within a few business days after you give them the heads-up. Getting this timing wrong can cause serious delays or even a refusal, so it’s something to prepare for well in advance.
Can I Work and Study in Australia on the Parent Visa 143?
Yes, absolutely! This is one of the biggest pay-offs of the Subclass 143. Once it's granted, your parents hold full permanent residency. This gives them the freedom to live, work, and study in Australia just like any other permanent resident, with no restrictions on work hours or what industry they choose.
But the benefits don't stop there. As permanent residents, they can enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system. After meeting the residency requirements down the track, they can also take the final step and apply for Australian citizenship, fully completing their journey to becoming part of the Australian community.
The path to securing a parent visa 143 is filled with complexities, from financial planning to meeting strict legal criteria. Having an expert guide can make all the difference, ensuring your application is accurate, complete, and positioned for success.
The team at My Visa Guide offers meticulous preparation and transparent advice for all family migration pathways. Book a consultation today to get a clear, honest assessment of your family's eligibility and a strategic plan for your visa journey. Visit us at https://www.myvisaguide.com.au to learn how we can help reunite your family in Australia.
Disclaimer: Immigration information, including policies and government fees, is subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/. We strongly advise booking an appointment with a registered migration agent to discuss your individual case, as the information in this article may not be current when you read it.
