Australia Parent and Child Migration: Family Reunion · Relationship First · Multiple Pathways
Australian family migration provides an important pathway for those already settled in Australia to bring their parents or children to Australia.
Through parent migration or child migration visas, applicants can reunite with family and obtain permanent residency once eligibility conditions are met.
Unlike skilled or business migration, these visas place greater emphasis on family relationships and sponsorship conditions, but differ markedly in queue times, costs, and policy requirements — making early planning essential.
Free Assessment →Family Migration Overview
Family migration visas fall into two main streams: Parent Visas and Child Visas.
1. Parent Visa
- Children sponsor parents to migrate to Australia
- Long queue times or higher fees may apply
- Split into queued and contributory pathways
2. Child Visa
- Parents apply for migration on behalf of children
- Suitable for minors or dependent children meeting specific criteria
- Processing is relatively straightforward
Parent Visa Types
Australian parent migration falls into three main categories: queued, contributory, and temporary parent visas.
1. Queued Parent Migration
| Visa Type | Status | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 103 | Permanent | Lower fees, but extremely long queue times |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
2. Contributory Parent Migration
| Visa Type | Status | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 143 | Permanent | Higher fees, but faster processing |
| Subclass 173 | Temporary to permanent | Fees paid in stages |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
3. Temporary Parent Visa
| Visa Type | Status | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 870 | Temporary | No PR pathway, suitable for short-term reunion |
Core Parent Visa Requirements
Parent visa applications must satisfy core requirements covering sponsor eligibility, family composition, financial sponsorship, and health and character.
1. Sponsor Requirements
- Children must be Australian citizens or permanent residents
- Generally must have lived in Australia for a set period
- Sponsorship undertakings required
2. Balance of Family Test
One of the central requirements for parent migration:
- At least half the children live in Australia, or
- More children live in Australia than in any other country
3. Financial Sponsorship
- Provide an Assurance of Support
- Ensure parents will not rely on social welfare
4. Health and Character
- Pass the medical examination
- Provide police clearance certificates
Parent Visa Pathway Comparison
The table below compares Subclass 103, 143, and 870 across the core dimensions of permanent residency, queue time, fees, and long-term stay — useful for quickly identifying the right path.
| Comparison | Subclass 103 | Subclass 143 | Subclass 870 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Queue time | Extremely long (30+ years) | Shorter (around 12 years) | No PR pathway |
| Fees | Lower | Higher | Lower (visa fee only) |
| Long-term stay? | Yes | Yes | Temporary |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
Unsure which parent migration pathway to choose?
Different visas vary widely in waiting times, costs, and risk — choosing the wrong path can affect years of family planning.
Newstarsec will provide:
- Comparative analysis of parent migration pathways
- Queue time and fee assessment
- Personalised family planning recommendations
Get in touch with a Newstarsec consultant for a tailored plan.
Child Visa Types
Child migration mainly applies to minors or children dependent on their parents. The common visa types are listed below:
| Visa Type | Eligible Applicants | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 101 | Children outside Australia | Permanent visa |
| Subclass 802 | Children inside Australia | Permanent visa |
| Subclass 445 | Temporary child visa | Bridging visa |
Core Child Visa Requirements
Child visas have specific requirements regarding the child’s age, family relationship, and custodial consent.
1. Child Requirements
- Under 18 years of age, or
- 18–25 years old, full-time student, financially dependent on parents
2. Relationship Requirements
- Must be a biological or legally adopted child
- Provide complete proof of family relationship
3. Custody and Consent
- Where another parent is involved
- Provide a consent letter or custody arrangements
Application Process
The overall family migration application process generally follows five steps, each with its own key considerations.
Step 1: Eligibility Assessment
- Determine whether family relationship requirements are met
- Choose the most suitable visa subclass
Step 2: Document Preparation
- Proof of family relationships
- Identity and financial documents
Step 3: Lodge the Application
- Submit the visa application
- Enter the queue or processing stage
Step 4: Additional Documents and Processing
- Provide additional documents as requested by the Department of Home Affairs
- Complete medical examinations and assessment
Step 5: Visa Grant
- Receive a permanent or temporary visa
Cost Overview (Indicative)
The main fee ranges for parent migration and child migration are listed below (for reference only). Final amounts are subject to the latest fees published by the Department of Home Affairs.
1. Parent Migration Fees
| Type | Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Subclass 103 | Lower (but with very long waiting times) |
| Subclass 143 | From AUD 48,640 per main applicant, paid in two instalments; plus Assurance of Support bond (~AUD 14,000 for a couple) and charges for each additional applicant. Refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs for current figures. |
| Subclass 870 | AUD 6,070 for a 3-year visa / AUD 12,140 for a 5-year visa (per applicant); sponsor application fee AUD 420 charged separately. Refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs for current figures. |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
2. Child Migration Fees
| Type | Fee Notes |
|---|---|
| Child visa | Relatively low |
| Other costs | Medical examinations, notarisation, etc. |
Holistic Family Migration Planning
The key to family migration isn’t simply lodging an application — it’s planning timing, costs, and pathways well in advance.
Newstarsec will provide:
- Holistic planning across parent and child migration
- Queue time and fee assessment
- Personalised application strategy
Get in touch with Newstarsec for a tailored migration strategy.
Parent and Child Migration: Detailed Visa Guides
Each visa subclass has its own policy details, application requirements, and target applicants. Click any card below for the full guide.
Parent Migration (Subclass 103/143/173 Guide)
Full breakdown of policy requirements, application logic, and target applicants for the queued, contributory, and temporary-to-permanent parent migration streams.
Aged Parent Migration (Subclass 804/884)
An onshore application pathway for parents who have already reached the qualifying age in Australia, covering both the queued and contributory streams.
Child Migration (Subclass 101/802/445)
Eligible applicants, relationship and custodial requirements, and the differences between permanent and bridging child visas — covering offshore, onshore, and temporary streams.
Subclass 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Member Visa
A temporary residence visa for family members of New Zealand citizens, providing a stable pathway to live, work, and study in Australia long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How long is the queue for Australian parent migration?
Waiting times for parent migration depend heavily on the visa subclass — and the gap between pathways is significant.
- Subclass 103 (queued): typically very long, potentially 20+ years or more (as at June 2026)
- Subclass 143 (contributory): noticeably shorter processing — generally around 6-10 years (as at June 2026)
Bear in mind that queue times are influenced not only by applicant volumes but also by annual planning quotas. So in practice, most families have to weigh up the trade-off between time and cost.
2. Do all parent migration applicants need to meet the balance of family test?
Yes. The balance of family test is a core requirement for nearly all parent migration visas.
In simple terms:
- At least half the children live in Australia long-term, or
- More children live in Australia than in any other country
If the test isn’t met, parent visa applications generally cannot proceed. So family composition needs to be confirmed before lodging.
3. Can Australian parent migration deliver permanent residency in one step?
Yes — but it depends on the visa chosen.
- Subclass 143: grants permanent residency directly
- Subclass 173: temporary first, then transitions to a Subclass 143 PR
- Subclass 103: also a permanent visa, but with extremely long queue times
So “one-step PR” is as much a question of time and budget as it is of policy.
4. Can the Subclass 870 parent visa lead to PR?
No.
The Subclass 870 is a purely temporary visa designed for short-term family reunion — it does not provide a pathway to permanent residency.
That said, for families who don’t intend to migrate long-term or simply want to reunite for a period, the Subclass 870 remains a practical option.
5. Why are Australian parent migration fees so high?
Take the Subclass 143 as an example — its fees include a government “contribution” charge.
The policy logic behind this:
- Migrating parents typically don’t enter the labour market
- Fees help offset use of public services
So the high cost is by policy design — not just the price of lodging an application.
6. Can multiple parent visas be lodged at the same time?
Yes — under the right strategy.
For example:
- Lodging Subclass 103 (queued) and Subclass 143 (contributory) concurrently
- Or starting with the queued option and switching to contributory if circumstances allow
This “combined pathway” approach is fairly common in practice and balances time against cost — but needs careful planning to avoid duplication or conflict.
7. Can parents visit Australia while their visa is being processed?
Yes, but they would need to enter on another visa (such as a visitor visa).
Things to keep in mind:
- A visitor visa is not the same as residency
- Length of stay is limited
- All visa conditions must be met
So during the parent visa wait, short-term visits and long-term planning need to be coordinated thoughtfully.
8. What are the age limits for child migration?
Child migration isn’t limited to minors:
- Under 18: directly eligible
- 18–25: must be a full-time student and financially dependent on parents
- Over 25: generally no longer eligible under the child visa stream
So whether someone can still apply as a “child” really comes down to whether ongoing dependency can be demonstrated.
9. Is the consent of the other parent required for child migration?
In most cases, yes.
If the child is under 18, you’ll usually need:
- A written consent letter from the other parent, or
- Court custody documents
This is a key checkpoint in assessment — getting it wrong can directly affect the visa outcome.
10. Do parent visa applicants need an English score?
Generally no formal English score is required.
However, in some cases:
- An additional fee (a language-related charge) may be paid in lieu
- Or basic language support can be provided after the visa is granted
Overall, English is not a core assessment factor for parent migration.
11. Where do parent migration applications most often go wrong?
Common risk areas include:
- Not meeting the balance of family test
- Sponsor eligibility issues
- Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
- Misunderstanding the visa pathway
Many application problems aren’t caused by lack of eligibility, but by mis-judging the situation early on or choosing the wrong path.
12. How do you choose the most suitable parent migration pathway?
Choosing a path generally means weighing three factors:
- Time: whether you can accept a long wait
- Budget: whether you can afford contributory visa fees
- Family planning: whether long-term residence is the goal
Every family is different — there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so a structured assessment before lodging is highly recommended.
13. What’s the difference between child migration and partner migration?
They are different visa categories:
- Child migration: based on the parent-child relationship
- Partner migration: based on the partner relationship
The assessment focus also differs:
- Child visas focus more on custody and dependency
- Partner visas focus more on the genuineness of the relationship
14. Are there caps on parent migration places?
Yes.
Australia sets an annual cap on parent migration, which is one of the main reasons for the long queues.
So even when all eligibility criteria are met, applications still need to wait their turn within the planning levels.
Feedback from Family Migration Applicants
Real-world proof of our planning and end-to-end support across both parent and child migration pathways.
“The gap between the queue times of the standard parent visa and the cost of the contributory Subclass 143 felt overwhelming, and we couldn’t decide which way to go. The Newstarsec consultant laid out queue times and costs across each pathway clearly, so we could make a decision based on our family’s actual situation.”
“We were worried about whether we’d pass the balance of family test. The consultant walked through where each of our children lived globally, confirmed our family met the test, and saved us going in circles during the prep stage.”
“Our child was approaching 18 and we were worried we wouldn’t be able to lodge the child visa in time. The consultant got our documents and consent letters ready ahead of schedule — the whole process felt much steadier than figuring it out on my own.”
Take action — start planning your family migration pathway
Whether it’s weighing up parent migration queue times and fees, or preparing the relationship and custody documents for child migration, Newstarsec can deliver a clear, actionable family migration plan for you.
Get a Free Family Migration Assessment →
