Parent Visa Australia Processing Times: What to Expect in 2026

There are several parent visa subclasses, split between contributory (higher cost, faster) and non-contributory (lower cost, extremely slow):

Contributory Parent Visas (Faster) - Subclass 143 — Contributory Parent visa (permanent, onshore or offshore) - Subclass 173 — Contributory Parent visa (temporary, 2-year pathway to 143)

Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Slower) - Subclass 103 — Parent visa (permanent, offshore) - Subclass 804 — Aged Parent visa (permanent, onshore, parent must be old enough for Age Pension)

Aged Contributory Parent Visas - Subclass 884 — Contributory Aged Parent visa (temporary) - Subclass 864 — Contributory Aged Parent visa (permanent)

These are realistic processing timeframes as of early 2026:

• - Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent): 12–24 months — This is the fastest permanent parent visa option
• - Subclass 173 (Temporary Contributory): 12–18 months — Grants a 2-year temporary visa while you save for the second instalment
• - Subclass 103 (Non-Contributory Parent): 29–33 years — Yes, you read that correctly. The queue is decades long.
• - Subclass 804 (Aged Parent): 29–33 years — Similar queue to the 103
• - Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent): 12–24 months
• - Subclass 884 (Temporary Contributory Aged): 12–18 months

The enormous difference in processing times is directly tied to cost. The government allocates far fewer places to non-contributory parent visas each year (around 1,500) compared to contributory visas (around 7,000–8,000).

The costs are significant and often the deciding factor:

Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent) - First instalment: approximately $4,765 (visa application charge) - Second instalment: approximately $43,600 (contributory charge, payable before visa grant) - Total: ~$48,365 per parent

Subclass 103 (Non-Contributory Parent) - Visa application charge: approximately $4,990 - No second instalment required - Total: ~$4,990 per parent — but with a 30+ year wait

Subclass 173 → 143 (Two-Stage Contributory) - Subclass 173 application: approximately $4,765 - Subclass 173 second instalment: approximately $29,130 - Then apply for 143: approximately $2,680 plus $19,420 second instalment - Total: ~$55,995 — More expensive overall, but spreads the cost over 2+ years

These figures are per parent. For a couple, double the costs. Assurance of Support bonds (approximately $10,000–$14,000 per parent) may also be required.

Given the long processing times, many families use visitor visas to bring parents to Australia while the parent visa is being processed:

• - Subclass 600 Visitor Visa — Up to 12 months stay, but typically granted for 3–6 months. Multiple entries possible.
• - Subclass 600 Sponsored Family Stream — Up to 5 years, with stay periods of 6 or 12 months at a time. Requires the Australian sponsor to provide a bond (approximately $5,000–$15,000).

Visitor visa holders cannot work and generally don't have access to Medicare. They should hold private health insurance.

A critical requirement for all parent visas is the Balance of Family test. To be eligible:

• - At least half of your children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens living in Australia, OR
• - More of your children live in Australia than in any single other country

This means if you have 3 children — 1 in Australia, 1 in Canada, and 1 in India — you meet the test because more children live in Australia than in any other single country.

• - Lodge early — Processing times for non-contributory visas are queue-based, so your place is determined by lodgement date
• - Keep documents updated — Police checks and medicals expire and may need to be redone during long processing periods
• - Consider a migration agent — Parent visa applications involve substantial documentation and financial requirements. Agent fees typically range from $3,000–$6,000
• - Budget for health costs — Parent visa holders may need to pay for private health insurance and are subject to the Medicare levy
• - Assurance of Support — Your Australian child may need to lodge a bond with Centrelink guaranteeing the parent won't access social security for 10 years