Bringing your parents to join you permanently in Australia is a major commitment. The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 & 173) is the best visa to get parents to Australia when time is the priority. This pathway, while requiring a higher financial contribution (the Contributory Parent Visa cost), offers a significantly faster route to permanent residency in Australia than the decades-long queue of the Non-Contributory stream. This guide explains how this premium pathway works.
What Is a Contributory Parent Visa?
This is a specialised visa stream for parents of Australian citizens/permanent residents that is distinguished by a substantial second Visa Application Charge (VAC) instalment. This payment prioritises the application in a shorter queue.
Subclass 173 – Temporary Visa Overview
This is the two-year temporary visa often used as the first step. It is the ideal financial strategy as it allows families to split the total Contributory Parent Visa cost across two separate financial years. It grants temporary residency and Medicare access, and leads directly to the permanent 143 visa.
Subclass 143 – Permanent Visa Overview
The Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 143) grants Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia. The final, largest instalment of the 143 visa fee is paid just before the visa is granted, securing full PR rights, including indefinite stay, work rights, and full Medicare access.
Key Differences Between Subclass 143 and 173
Feature | Subclass 143 (Permanent) | |
Duration | Up to 2 years | Indefinite (Permanent Residency) |
Cost | Initial instalment only (Lower upfront fee) | Final major instalment due |
Financial Benefit | Spreads the Contributory Parent Visa cost | Grants full PR for the completed investment |
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contributory Parent Visa?
This question is central to the Contributory stream’s value proposition.
Parent visas in Australia operate under a Capping and Queueing system. While the exact waiting time can fluctuate based on annual government planning levels, the Contributory Parent Visas are significantly faster than the Non-Contributory streams.
- Estimated Processing Time (Current DHA Guidance): Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173) are currently being granted to applicants who have been in the queue for an estimated 5 to 10 years.
Comparison: This is the “fast path” because the Non-Contributory Visas (Subclass 103) are currently facing queue times that can exceed 30 years.
Which visa is most suitable for parents moving to Australia?
The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143/173) is overwhelmingly the best visa for families whose priority is reunification within a reasonable timeframe.
- If time is the biggest factor and the sponsor has the financial capacity, the Contributory stream is the superior choice for achieving permanent residency.
If cost is the biggest factor and the family is prepared to wait for several decades, the Non-Contributory stream (Subclass 103) is an alternative
Eligibility Requirements
Both the applicant and sponsor must satisfy these critical requirements:
The Balance-of-Family Test (Balance-of-family test explained)
To pass the BFT, the parent must demonstrate that at least half of their children and step-children are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are usually resident in Australia.
Sponsorship and Assurance of Support (AoS)
An eligible sponsor (child, 18+) must commit to financially supporting the parents. This involves:
- Sponsor Income Test: The sponsor must prove their taxable income meets a specified minimum threshold over the previous two financial years.
AoS Bond: A refundable bond must be lodged. The Assurance of Support bond amount is currently $15,000 AUD for the main applicant and $6,000 AUD for an additional adult. The bond is held for 10 years. You can confirm the Current AoS Bond Amounts on the official Services Australia policy site.
Costs and Fees Breakdown
The Contributory Parent Visa cost is substantial, covering the VAC and the AoS bond.
- Visa Application Charge (VAC): Paid in two instalments (or one if applying directly for the 143). This is the cost to the government for the visa itself.
- Assurance of Support (AoS) Bond: A separate security deposit (refundable after 10 years) lodged with the Commonwealth.
Note: The 143 visa fee and total costs are indexed annually. Always consult a professional for the most current figures.
Contributory Parent Visa Processing Time
What’s the average waiting period for a Contributory Parent Visa?
The Contributory Parent visa processing time is subject to annual quotas set by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). While there is a queue, it is significantly shorter than the 30+ year wait for the Non-Contributory visa.
- Estimate: Based on current DHA guidance, applicants should anticipate an estimated waiting time in the range of 5 to 10 years from lodgement to final grant.
Which country gives visas to parents?
Many countries offer pathways, but the Australian Contributory Parent Visa is a uniquely structured program that allows families to pay a premium to secure permanent residency within a practical timeframe (5-6 years), making it highly effective for those committed to settling in Australia quickly.
Why Choose the Contributory Pathway?
Choosing to pay the higher Contributory Parent Visa cost is an investment in certainty and family well-being. It delivers PR security, Medicare access, and a pathway to citizenship, avoiding the decades-long uncertainty of the alternative stream.
How We Can Help
Navigating the Contributory Parent Visa process requires deep expertise. Our team of MARA-registered Migration Agents at Bombay Migrations specialises in this complex visa category.
We provide end-to-end support, including:
- Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment: Vetting your family’s BFT status (Balance of family test) and the sponsor’s income test compliance.
- Document Preparation: Ensuring every form and piece of evidence meets DHA (Department of Home Affairs) standards to prevent costly delays.
- AoS Guidance: Providing clear assistance with the Assurance of Support and bond lodgement process.
- Full Submission and Liaison: Managing the entire application from lodgement through to the visa grant.
💬 Ready to bring your parents to Australia faster?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which visa is best for parents in Australia?
The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is the superior choice for Permanent Residency (PR) if time is the priority. While the total cost is substantial (including the final $43,600 AUD VAC per adult), it offers a significantly shorter queue of approximately 14-15 years for new applications. The alternative Non-Contributory visa (Subclass 103) is currently subject to a processing time of around 33 years.
How much does a parent visa cost in Australia?
The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) cost is primarily composed of two parts. The Visa Application Charge (VAC), which is paid to the DHA, amounts to approximately $48,640 AUD for a single applicant (in two instalments). Additionally, an Assurance of Support (AoS) bond of $10,000 AUD for one adult (or $14,000 AUD for two adults) must be lodged with Services Australia, which is refundable after 10 years.
What is the difference between a parent visa 103 and 143?
The primary difference lies in the financial contribution and the corresponding wait time. The Subclass 143 (Contributory) is a high-cost, faster pathway with an estimated wait time of 14-15 years. The Subclass 103 (Non-Contributory) is a low-cost, slow pathway with a current estimated wait time of 33 years. Both visas lead to Permanent Residency, but the cost reflects the queue priority.
How long does it take to get a visa for parents?
The Contributory Parent Visa processing time is currently estimated at 14 to 15 years from the date of application lodgement, based on the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) capped and queued system. For context, the DHA is currently releasing applications that were lodged/queued around June 2018 for final processing. This long timeframe is still significantly faster than the 33-year wait for the Non-Contributory streams.
Do I need a sponsor for a parent visa?
Yes, a sponsor is mandatory for all Australian Parent Visas. The sponsor must be an eligible child (Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen, generally 18+). The sponsor must provide the Assurance of Support (AoS), which involves passing a Sponsor Income Test that is conducted by Services Australia (not the DHA) later in the process, just before the visa is granted. The sponsor must also lodge a refundable bond of $10,000 AUD (for one parent) with Services Australia, committing to financial support for 10 years.