At Intergate Emigration, we understand how important family is. If you're an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen looking to reunite with your parents, there are several Australian parent visa pathways that may allow them to live in Australia—either permanently or on a long-term temporary basis.

Below is a clear overview of the current Australian parent visa options:

> Contributory Parent Visa for Australia (Temporary) – Subclass 173

> Contributory Parent Visa for Australia (Permanent) – Subclass 143

> Contributory Aged Parent Visa for Australia – Subclass 864 (Permanent)

> Sponsored Parent Visa for Australia (Temporary) – Subclass 870

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Contributory Parent Visa for Australia (Temporary) – Subclass 173

Key Features:

• Temporary visa valid for 2 years
• No access to Medicare or Centrelink
• Cannot be extended or renewed – must apply for 143 for permanent residency
• Cost: High government charges (over AUD 30,000+ upfront)
• Processing Time: Approx. 14 years (subject to change)

ℹ️ Ideal if you're planning a phased migration and want to spread out the cost of permanent migration to Australia.

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Contributory Parent Visa for Australia (Permanent) – Subclass 143

The Subclass 143 visa provides permanent residency for parents and is usually applied for after the 173, or directly if preferred.

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Key Features:

• Grants permanent residency
• Access to Medicare
• Allows travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• Cost: Government charges exceed AUD 45,000+ per applicant
• Processing Time: Approx. 14 years (as of current queue)

ℹ️ Applying directly for the 143 visa avoids having to apply for the 173 first, but requires a higher initial investment.

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Contributory Aged Parent Visa for Australia (Permanent) – Subclass 864

This visa is for aged parents (pension-eligible under Australian rules) who are already in Australia on a valid visa.

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Key Features:

• Grants permanent residency
• Can apply onshore (must be of pension age, being 67 and older)
• Bridging visa allow stay in Australia while the application is processed
• Cost: AUD45,000+ per person
• Processing Time: Approx. 14 years (as of current queue)

ℹ️ You must be in Australia at the time of application and decision.

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Sponsored Parent Visa for Australia (Temporary) – Subclass 870

The Subclass 870 visa is a temporary option allowing parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years, without the need to leave the country regularly.

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Key Features:

• Temporary stay of up to 5 years (renewable to a max of 10 years)
• No balance of family test required
• Must be sponsored by an Australian citizen or permanent resident child

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Cost: (Pending Update 1st July 2025)

• AUD 5,735 (3-year visa)
• AUD 11,470 (5-year visa)
• Processing Time: Typically 3–6 months

ℹ️ This visa does not lead to permanent residency in Australia and requires private health insurance.

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Balance of Family Test

What you need to know:

For most permanent parent visas for Australia (e.g., 143, 864), the balance of family test must be met. This means at least half of your children must be living permanently in Australia, or more children must live in Australia than in any other country.

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How Intergate Emigration Can Help

Navigating the complexities of parent migration to Australia can be overwhelming. Our experienced team at Intergate Emigration provides:

• Eligibility assessments based on your family situation
• Strategic visa planning (e.g., 173 followed by 143)
• Application preparation and document management
• Ongoing support through every stage of the process

We ensure you and your parents understand the process, costs, obligations, and rights at every step.