Parent Visas Australia
Parent visa subclasses 103, 143, 173, 804, 864 and 884
Choose the right parent pathway before expectations are locked in
Parent visa planning should not be reduced to subclass 103. Families often need to compare permanent, temporary, contributory, non-contributory and aged-parent options before deciding which pathway is realistic.
AIA helps families compare eligibility, queue settings, family composition, sponsor position and evidence before a parent visa matter is treated as ready.
What usually needs to be checked
- Whether the applicant is looking at a parent or aged-parent pathway.
- Whether a contributory or non-contributory pathway is realistic for the family.
- Balance of family, sponsor position, health, character and Assurance of Support issues.
- Current Home Affairs capping and queue settings before relying on any timing expectation.
Current parent visa options
What each parent visa subclass is for
Parent Visa subclass 103
A permanent non-contributory pathway for eligible parents. It is generally the lower-charge parent option, but Home Affairs caps and queues parent applications.
Contributory Parent Visa subclass 143
A permanent contributory parent pathway. It usually involves higher government charges than subclass 103 and should be compared against family timing and queue settings.
Contributory Parent Temporary Visa subclass 173
A temporary contributory parent pathway that can be used as a staged route before applying for the permanent subclass 143 pathway.
Aged Parent Visa subclass 804
A permanent non-contributory aged-parent pathway. It is for applicants old enough to meet the aged-parent settings and is an onshore pathway.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa subclass 864
A permanent contributory pathway for aged parents. It should be compared with subclass 804 and the temporary subclass 884 pathway.
Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa subclass 884
A temporary contributory aged-parent pathway that can be used as a staged route before applying for permanent subclass 864.
What these pathways have in common
Many permanent parent visa pathways require the balance of family test, an eligible sponsor, health and character checks and careful evidence of family relationships. Parent visa applications are also affected by capping and queueing.
Temporary parent stay
The Sponsored Parent Temporary visa subclass 870 is a separate temporary pathway. It does not itself provide permanent residence, but it may be relevant where the family goal is a longer temporary stay. View the Sponsored Parent 870 page.
Parent visa questions
What to clarify before lodgement
The best parent pathway depends on the family goal, age, location, sponsor evidence, queue settings and budget.
Do all parent visa subclasses on this page still exist?
Home Affairs currently lists subclasses 103, 143, 173, 804, 864 and 884 as parent visa options. These pathways are subject to capping and queueing, so timing should be checked before lodging.
What is the difference between 103 and 143?
Subclass 103 is the non-contributory permanent parent pathway. Subclass 143 is the contributory permanent parent pathway, usually involving higher government charges and different queue expectations.
What are subclasses 173 and 884 used for?
Subclasses 173 and 884 are temporary contributory parent pathways. They can be relevant where a family wants to stage the process before moving to the permanent contributory parent stage.
How are aged parent visas different?
Aged parent pathways, including subclasses 804, 864 and 884, depend on aged-parent settings and location requirements. The correct pathway should be checked before a family relies on onshore planning.
Does AIA also advise on the Sponsored Parent 870 visa?
Yes. Subclass 870 is a temporary sponsored parent pathway and is different from the permanent parent visa subclasses listed here. It can be considered where a family wants temporary stay rather than permanent migration.