If your child is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, bringing your parents to live with you is possible – but it is one of the most expensive and slowest migration routes in the world. The Australia parent visa options come in a temporary and a permanent version, with very different costs and waiting times. This guide compares subclasses 870, 103 and 143 and explains how to choose.
Quick answer
| Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) | Subclass 103 – Parent | Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Temporary | Permanent | Permanent |
| Stay | Up to 3 or 5 years per visa; 10 years maximum in total | Indefinitely | Indefinitely |
| Cost (single applicant) | AUD 6,370 (up to 3 years) or AUD 12,440 (up to 5 years) | From AUD 8,665 over 2 instalments | From AUD 49,900 over 2 instalments |
| Work and study | Cannot work | Can work and study | Can work and study |
| Medicare | Not listed on the Home Affairs page | Yes | Yes |
| Processing | See the Home Affairs processing time guide | Capped and queued – long waits (see the queue release dates) | Capped and queued – long waits (see the queue release dates) |
Costs are the amounts shown on the Home Affairs visa pages for a single applicant; there are additional charges for each family member, and concessions apply in limited circumstances. You may also pay for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years, with further visas possible up to a total of 10 years in Australia. Parents cannot work. To apply you need:
Both permanent visas let your parents stay indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare, travel to and from Australia for 5 years, attend free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible. Applications for subclasses 103, 143, 804 and 864 must now be lodged online through ImmiAccount.
Home Affairs states that demand for parent visas is greater than the number of places available each year. Applications are subject to capping and queueing and are processed in the order they are received, so there are long processing times. Check the official parent visa queue release dates for the latest picture – and do not rely on anyone who quotes a fixed waiting time.
You can apply for the 143 visa as a two-step process by first applying for a Contributory Parent (Temporary) subclass 173 visa. Home Affairs says this lets you spread the cost over several years. A 173 holder has already met the balance of family test and must apply for the 143 visa before the 173 visa expires.
| If your priority is… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Getting your parents to Australia as soon as possible, without work rights | Subclass 870 (temporary) or a visitor visa for shorter stays |
| The lowest government charge and you can wait many years | Subclass 103 |
| A permanent visa and you can pay the much higher charge | Subclass 143, possibly through the two-step 173 route |
| Spreading the cost over time | The 173 then 143 route |
Watch out
Because you cannot lodge a 103 or 143 application while holding a 870 visa, think about the long-term plan before you apply for the temporary visa.
Read more about the basics in our guide on whether Australian permanent residents can sponsor family members, the PR options for spouses and children and our Australia tourist visa page for short visits.
According to Home Affairs, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa costs AUD 6,370 for up to 3 years or AUD 12,440 for up to 5 years. The Parent visa (subclass 103) is from AUD 8,665 and the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) is from AUD 49,900, each paid over 2 instalments for a single applicant.
No. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa does not allow work. The permanent parent visas allow work and study.
Long. Demand is greater than the number of places each year, so applications are capped and queued and processed in the order received. Check the Home Affairs parent visa queue release dates for the subclass you are considering.
No. You must not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa when you apply for the 103 or 143 visa.
For the permanent parent visas, yes – unless the parent applies as a retiree under the Retirement visa pathway. Home Affairs will tell you when it is needed.
Facts on this page were checked against the official sources listed at the end on 6 October 2026. Immigration rules, fees and thresholds change often, so confirm the current figure on the official site before you apply.
Thinking of bringing your parents to Australia? Our Australia immigration consultants in Hyderabad will explain the costs, queue and sponsor requirements for your family. Book a free consultation or call +91 95055 15154.
