Updated: 20 October 2024
Family is undoubtedly the most important thing in the world, and we understand that if your parents are still overseas, you may want them to join you here in Australia.
If you are looking to bring your parents over, there are a number of options available that will either allow your parents to live in Australia for up to two years as a temporary resident, or live in Australia as a permanent resident.
Balance of family test
To be successful, your parents must meet the balance of family test. Your parents will meet the test if:
At least half of their children live permanently in Australia or
More of their children live permanently in Australia than in any other country
Visa options: Applying outside of Australia
If your parents will be applying for a visa outside of Australia, you will still need to assess which visa is best for them.
Parent visa (subclass 103)
This is the right choice if your parents want to become permanent residents. However, this visa can take a long time to process.
Contributory parent (temporary) visa (subclass 173)
This visa means your parents will be able to live in Australia for up to two years as a temporary resident. The application fee is higher, but it is processed faster.
Both visas mean your parents will have to have a sponsor, meet the balance of family test and meet health and character requirements.
Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
The 870 Temporary Parent Visa allows parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Australia for up to five years. Unlike other parent visas, it offers greater flexibility by eliminating long waiting periods and the need for permanent residency, making it ideal for families seeking extended time together without long-term financial or residency commitments.
Visa options: Applying in Australia
There are different options for your parents if they are applying for a visa within Australia. These include:
- Contributory parent visa (subclass 143)
- Aged parent visa (subclass 804)
- Contributory aged parent (temporary) visa (subclass 884)
- Contributory aged parent visa (subclass 864)
If you think your parents will be applying for one of the above visas, it’s important you get in touch with migration specialists like us to ensure you’re choosing the best fit.
If your parents apply for any of the above visas, they’ll also need an assurance of support. An assurance of support is a legal commitment to give financial support so your parents won’t have to rely on social security payments.
Capping
The Minister can limit how many people are granted a certain visa each year. For example, parent and aged parent visas are capped, but contributory parent visas are not.
This is an important consideration when applying. If your parents apply for a capped visa, and the limit has already been reached, they will have to wait in a queue until visa places become available. This queue can last for many years.
The next step
As you can see, ensuring your parents choose the right visa for them, meet visa requirements and avoid queues that last for years can be tough. That’s why it’s crucial you get the right support from the very beginning. This way, your parents have the best chance of joining you as soon as possible. Get in touch, and let us get the ball rolling for you and your parents.
