Bringing your parents to join you in Australia is a lifelong goal. The Non-Contributory Parent Visas are specifically designed for families who wish to reunite permanently but prioritise low cost over speed. This pathway offers Permanent Residency (PR) for a significantly lower government fee compared to the contributory stream, making it a viable option for budget-conscious families who are prepared for the long queue. This guide provides a full breakdown of the Subclasses 103 and 804, their eligibility, and their estimated 33-year parent visa processing time.
What Is a Non-Contributory Parent Visa?
Non-Contributory Parent Visas are permanent residency visas that require a minimal Visa Application Charge (VAC) but are subject to a strict annual cap and queue system by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This results in an extended long queue but grants the same PR benefits as their contributory counterparts. They are separated into two main subclasses based on the parents’ age and location at the time of application.
Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (Offshore Application)
This visa is available to parents of any age and must be applied for and granted while the applicant is outside Australia. It is the primary pathway for parents who do not meet the age requirement for the onshore visa. As a permanent visa, it allows holders to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely once granted. This is the Subclass 103 option.
Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (Onshore Application)
This visa is designed for parents who have reached the Australian Age Pension age (currently 67) and are in Australia when they apply. The significant benefit of the Subclass 804 is that applicants who lodge a valid application while holding a substantive visa (without a “No Further Stay” condition) are typically granted a Bridging Visa, allowing them to remain in Australia during the extensive queue wait
Key Differences Between Subclass 103 and 804
Both Non-Contributory Parent Visas require the parent to meet the Balance-of-Family Test and face the same long queue, but their application criteria differ:
Feature | Subclass 103 (Parent) | Subclass 804 (Aged Parent) |
Applicant Age | No age requirement | Must meet the Australian Age Pension age (currently 67) |
Location at Lodgment | Outside Australia (Offshore application) | Inside Australia (Onshore application) |
Location at Grant | Outside Australia | Inside Australia |
Temporary Stay during Wait | Generally, no Bridging Visa is granted | Yes, generally granted a Bridging Visa |
Visa Outcome | Permanent Residency | Permanent Residency |
Eligibility Criteria for the Non-Contributory Stream
Applicants for Subclass 103 or 804 must meet three key requirements: sponsorship by an eligible, settled child; passing the Balance-of-Family Test; and providing an Assurance of Support (AoS) when requested by the DHA.
- Sponsorship: The parent must be sponsored by an eligible child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and is “settled” in Australia (usually for at least two years).
- Balance-of-Family Test: The parent must demonstrate that at least half of their children are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia. This test must be passed at the time of application.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): The sponsor must commit to providing financial support for the parents. This involves lodging an AoS bond amount with Services Australia and passing the Sponsor Income Test when requested by the DHA.
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Application Process: Lodgment, Queue System, and Bridging Visa
The process for a Non-Contributory Parent Visa is a multi-stage journey defined by the long queue:
- Lodgment: The sponsor and parent lodge the application and pay the first low-cost VAC (Visa application charge) instalment. The application must be correctly submitted (offshore for 103, onshore, and aged for 804).
- Queue Placement: After the initial assessment (acknowledgement within ~4 weeks), the DHA (Department of Home Affairs) determines if the application meets the basic criteria and assigns a queue date. Applications are then placed into the long queue.
- Bridging Visa (Subclass 804): Parents applying for the onshore Subclass 804 are typically issued a Bridging Visa E (BVE), which permits them to remain in Australia until the final visa decision is made.
- Final Assessment: After the approximate 33-year parent visa processing time, the application is released from the queue. The sponsor is then contacted to complete the AoS (Assurance of Support) bond lodgment and the Income Test. Once successful, the visa is granted.
Benefits and Limitations of the Low-Cost Pathway
The Non-Contributory Parent Visas offer a distinct trade-off:
Benefits (Pros) | Limitations (Cons) |
Low Cost: The overall government fees are the lowest of all permanent parent visa options. | Long Queue: The Estimated parent visa processing time for new applications is currently 33 years. |
Permanent Residency: Grants full PR rights, including Medicare and the pathway to citizenship. | AoS Bond: Still requires the sponsor to provide the AoS bond amount of $5,000 AUD (1 adult) for 2 years. |
Onshore Option (804): Allows aged parents to remain in Australia during the waiting period. | Offshore Requirement (103): The parent must be outside Australia when the visa is granted. |
Estimated Processing Time & Fees
The defining feature of the Non-Contributory Parent Visas is the long processing time, a direct result of the low cost and high demand against low annual allocation quotas.
- Estimated Processing Time: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) currently estimates that new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications (Subclass 103 & 804) will take approximately 33 years for final processing.
- Cost Structure: The total cost (VAC) for a single applicant is approximately $7,345 AUD (paid in two instalments). The refundable AoS bond required is $5,000 AUD for one adult.
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Professional Assistance
Navigating the rules—especially the Balance-of-Family Test and the Subclass 103 offshore requirements—can be complex. Our team of MARA-registered Migration Agents at Bombay Migrations simplifies the application process, ensuring your documentation meets DHA standards from day one to secure your early queue date. We manage the detailed lodgment and offer expert guidance on your bridging visa status, allowing your family to plan for the long journey ahead.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the processing time for a Non-Contributory Parent Visa?
The Non-Contributory Parent Visa processing time is the longest in the Australian migration program. The Department of Home Affairs currently estimates that new applications for the Subclass 103 and Subclass 804 visas will take approximately 33 years for final processing. This extremely long queue is due to the annual capping and low quota allocation for these low-cost permanent residency visas. Applicants must be prepared for this extended wait, which is why the contributory stream is often chosen for faster reunification.
What is the cost of the Subclass 103 or 804 visa?
The Non-Contributory Parent Visas are the lowest-cost permanent options. The total Visa Application Charge (VAC) for a single applicant is approximately $7,345 AUD, paid over two instalments. Additionally, a refundable AoS bond amount is required: $5,000 AUD for one adult (or $7,000 AUD for two adults) must be lodged with Services Australia for a two-year commitment period. The long queue is the trade-off for this minimal government fee.
What is the main difference between Subclass 103 and 804?
The main difference is the age requirement and the location of the application. The Subclass 103 (Parent Visa) has no age limit but is an offshore application (must be outside Australia at grant). The Subclass 804 (Aged Parent Visa) requires the parent to meet the Australian Age Pension age (currently 67) and is an onshore application. Crucially, the Subclass 804 typically grants a Bridging Visa, allowing the parent to live in Australia during the long queue.
How long does the processing and queue time take for the Subclass 103 and Subclass 804 visas?
The Non-Contributory Parent Visa processing time is the longest in the Australian migration program, currently estimated by the DHA at approximately 33 years for new applications. Both the offshore (103) and onshore (804) visas share this extensive long queue because they are the low-cost option with minimal places allocated annually. This is confirmed by the fact that the DHA is only releasing applications from the queue that were lodged/queued around June 2013 for final processing.