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Parent Migration Visa
Parent migration offers two visa pathways: the queued stream (Subclass 103) and the contributory stream (Subclass 143 / 173). The queued stream has low government charges but a waiting time of 25–30 years (as at June 2026), while the contributory stream grants a visa in about two years at a significantly higher cost. Choosing the right pathway depends on your family’s financial situation and how quickly reunion is needed.
$3,555
Queued stream (couple)
$43,600 per person
Contributory charge
25–30 years
Queued stream wait
~2 years
Contributory processing
Visa Stream Comparison
Choose the parent migration pathway that best matches your family’s finances and timeline.
Lower cost
Queued Parent Migration
Subclass 103 & Subclass 804 (Aged Parent, onshore)
- Low visa charges — just $3,555 for a couple
- Long wait — approximately 25–30 years in the queue
- Annual quota limited to 1,500 places (as at June 2026)
- After lodgement, applicants can apply for a 3–5 year Visitor visa for short-term reunion
- Priority order: aged parents > general parents; citizen sponsors > permanent resident sponsors
- Suited to families who are not in a rush to relocate and prefer lower up-front cost
$3,555
Total for a couple (AUD)
Faster grant
Contributory Parent Migration
Subclass 143 (Permanent) & Subclass 173 (Temporary) / Subclass 864 & Subclass 884 (onshore)
- Higher contribution charge — $43,600 per person; $87,200 for a couple
- Plus an Assurance of Support bond of $10,000 per person, deposited with the Commonwealth Bank for 10 years
- Optional two-stage payment — apply for Subclass 173 first and pay ~50% (~$21,000), then convert to Subclass 143 within two years
- Processed in approximately 2 years; grant conveys permanent residency immediately
- Access to Australian Medicare from grant; eligible for Age Pension after 10 years of residence
- Annual quota of 7,175 places (as at June 2026)
$43,600 per person
Contribution charge + $10,000 Assurance of Support per person
Contributory Stream Fee Breakdown
Contributory Parent Migration can be paid in one lump sum or in two instalments. The underlying charges rise by approximately 3% each year.
Lump-sum (Subclass 143)
Government contribution charge
$43,600 per person
Assurance of Support bond (10 years)
$10,000 per person
Total for a couple
$107,200
Two-stage payment (173 → 143)
Step 1 — Subclass 173 temporary visa
50% of contribution ≈ $21,000 per person
Step 2 — convert to Subclass 143 permanent
Remaining 50% + Assurance of Support
Subclass 173 validity
Convert to 143 within 2 years
Policy Timeline
Key milestones in Parent visa policy, 2014–2016
June 2014
Subclass 103 intake paused
The Department of Home Affairs abruptly closed the queued-stream intake and cut the annual quota to 1,500 places — a 32.5% reduction on the prior year.
September 2014
Queued intake reopened
A disallowance motion by Senator Hanson-Young passed, reopening the queued stream for 6 months — though the projected wait remained around 25–30 years.
2015
Contributory stream becomes the mainstream choice
With queued-stream waits now impractical, most applicants shifted to the contributory stream — grant in about 2 years with an Assurance of Support bond.
FY 2015–2016
Quotas tighten, processing slows
The queued stream remained capped at 1,500 places and had only progressed through cases lodged in 2009. The contributory quota of 7,175 was fully taken up, with processing exceeding 2 years.
Policy outlook
Proposed 5-year temporary visa
The Minister for Immigration indicated a long-stay visa pathway was under review, enabling parents to reunite with family in Australia before permanent residency is granted.
Helpful tip
Visitor visas while you wait
After lodging a queued-stream application, applicants can apply for a 3-year Visitor visa before a queue number is issued, and a 5-year Visitor visa once a queue number is allocated.
Latest Processing Status
Current processing progress across each Parent visa subclass (updated regularly).
Subclass 103 · Parent
Queued · Offshore lodgement
Queue numbers issued up to
24 March 2015
Processing up to
July 2009
Subclass 804 · Aged Parent
Queued · Onshore lodgement
Queue numbers issued up to
5 November 2015
Processing up to
October 2009
Subclass 143/173 · Contributory Parent
Contributory · Offshore lodgement
Processing up to
Lodged 18 June 2014
Subclass 864/884 · Contributory Aged Parent
Contributory · Onshore lodgement
Processing up to
Lodged 16 October 2015
Temporary-to-permanent (173→143 / 884→864)
Lodged 15 January 2016
Contributory Stream — Benefits Analysis
Although the contributory stream costs more up front, the long-term value of Australian residency benefits gives Contributory Parent Migration clear advantages over the queued alternative.
2 years
Faster grant
Permanent residency granted in approximately 2 years of processing
10 years
Healthcare coverage
Full access to Australian Medicare within 10 years of grant
10+ years
Age Pension
Eligible for the Australian Age Pension after 10 years of residence
Find the Right Parent Migration Pathway
Every family’s finances and timelines are different. Newstarsec’s MARA-registered migration consultants will tailor the optimal plan for your family and help bring everyone together in Australia.
Book a free consultation
