Overview
Bringing your parents to Australia is one of the most common goals for Chinese migrants who have settled here. However, the Australian parent visa system is notoriously complex and expensive. There are several different visa subclasses, each with vastly different costs, processing times, and conditions. Understanding your options is critical before making what could be a $50,000+ financial commitment.
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
The Subclass 143 is the most popular choice because it has a much shorter processing time compared to the standard parent visa. However, it comes with a significant cost. The total cost is approximately $49,440 per parent, comprising the first instalment of $4,990 and a second instalment of $43,600. Processing time is currently around 5-7 years from lodgement.
To be eligible, your child must be settled in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident and must meet the balance of family test, meaning at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more children live in Australia than in any single other country. You must also meet health and character requirements and have an Assurance of Support from Centrelink.
Standard Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The Subclass 103 is the budget option at approximately $6,990 per parent, but the trade-off is an extremely long processing time. Current estimates suggest 25-30 years or more in the queue. Many applicants in the queue from the early 2000s are still waiting. The government has effectively frozen this category by allocating very few places each year.
Despite the long wait, some families lodge the 103 as a placeholder while they save for the contributory visa, as it is possible to transfer to the 143 queue later by paying the difference in fees.
Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 870)
Introduced in 2019, the Subclass 870 allows parents to stay in Australia temporarily for 3 or 5 years. The cost is $5,735 for a 3-year visa or $11,470 for a 5-year visa. This visa can be renewed once, giving a maximum stay of 10 years. However, it does not lead to permanent residency, and visa holders cannot access Medicare, meaning private health insurance is mandatory.
The sponsoring child must meet an income threshold, currently set at a taxable income of approximately $83,454.80 per year. This visa is popular among Chinese families as it allows parents to spend extended periods in Australia helping with childcare and family support while the family saves for a permanent visa option.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804/884)
The Subclass 804 (permanent) and 884 (temporary preceding permanent) are for parents who are old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension, currently 67 years old. The processing time and costs are similar to the 103/143 respectively. The aged parent contributory visa (Subclass 864) costs the same as the 143 but may process slightly faster as it is a separate queue.
Cost Comparison
| Visa | Cost | Processing | Permanent? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 143 Contributory | ~$49,440 | 5-7 years | Yes |
| 103 Standard | ~$6,990 | 25-30 years | Yes |
| 870 Temporary | $5,735-$11,470 | 6-12 months | No |
| 864 Aged Contributory | ~$49,440 | 5-7 years | Yes (67+) |
Tips for Chinese Families
Many Chinese families use a combined strategy: lodge a Subclass 870 to bring parents over immediately for childcare and family support, while simultaneously lodging and saving for the Subclass 143 for permanent residency. Some families also use tourist visa extensions (Subclass 600) for shorter visits while in the queue. Plan your finances carefully as the total cost for bringing both parents permanently to Australia can exceed $100,000 including all associated costs.