Parent Visa (Subclass 103)

Parent visas enable Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their parents to migrate to Australia. They can apply for a parent visa if they meet the balance of family test (have equal to or a greater number of children living permanently in Australia than any other countries) and can be sponsored by at least one of their children living in Australia. In addition to this, the Sponsor is required to be a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident, meaning they have lived in Australia at least two years prior to the application.

This is a permanent visa enables parents or step-parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens to move to Australia. You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor. Eligible sponsor can be your child or an eligible relative or community organisation. You can be in or outside of Australia when you apply and time of decision. You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.

There can be a long waiting list and a cap on the number of visas issued each year. You must:

  • Meet The balance of family test – You meet this requirement if at least half of your children live permanently in Australia or you have more children that are permanent residents in Australia than any other overseas country.
  • Have Assurance of Support – You must have an assurer to provide you with financial support so that you do not have to rely on social security payments. The assurer can be the sponsoring child or his/her partner or an organization. The assurer must pay a refundable security bond before the visa is approved. Assurance of support can be provided up to two people.
  • Have no previous visa cancellation or refusal
  • Must meet certain health and character requirements.

Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

This is a permanent visa enables aged parents or step-parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens to move to Australia. You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor. Eligible sponsor can be your child or an eligible relative or community organisation. Applicants must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia and can only apply for this visa while they are already in Australia on a temporary visa. There can be a long waiting list and a cap on the number of visas issued each year. No retiree pathway is available. You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply. 

You must:

  • Meet The balance of family test – You meet this requirement if at least half of your children live permanently in Australia or you have more children that are permanent residents in Australia than any other overseas country.
  • Have Assurance of Support – You must have an assurer to provide you with financial support so that you do not have to rely on social security payments. The assurer can be the sponsoring child or his/her partner or an organization. The assurer must pay a refundable security bond before the visa is approved. Assurance of support can be provided up to two people.
  • Have no previous visa cancellation or refusal
  • Meet certain health and character requirements.