Recently we obtained exclusive access to some case-file data from the Department of Home Affairs on Parent migration. Let’s first take a look at the half-year grant figures and the current full backlog — many applicants whose cases are already being processed (or are about to be) are still very keen to know how many places are left for this year.

More detailed month-by-month data is on its way. Once we have it, we’ll publish an updated Parent visa waiting-time estimation table.

How many places are left in this financial year

According to the case-file data, as at 31 December 2025 (see header image) —

Subclasses 143 & 864 remaining: (total quota) 6,800 – (half-year grants) 3,883 = 2917

Subclasses 103 & 804 remaining: (total quota) 1,700 – (half-year grants) 1,115 = 585

Let’s also factor in January 2026 and take the monthly average for the first half of the financial year:

143 & 864：3883 ÷ 6 ≈ 647

103 & 804：1115 ÷ 6 ≈ 186

Roughly, for the 5 months remaining in this financial year, there are about 2,270 places left under 143 & 864, and 399 places left under 103 & 804.

Subclass 143 processing is more evenly paced this financial year

As the table shows, 143 grants were fairly steady through July–September, then surged in October–November with over 780 grants in a single month — which matches what we’ve felt on the ground: our clients saw a clear jump in grants over those 2–3 months.

Subclass 103 burned through nearly a third of its quota the moment the financial year opened in July — 500+ grants in one go — and with the quota running low, monthly grants have been around 100 ever since; you can see this directly from the processing pace.

We also ran a side-by-side comparison with the first half of FY2024–25: in just the five months from July to November 2024, 3,873 paid-category places were used up (largely because a huge batch was approved in July) — about the same as the 6-month usage this financial year. That’s why by late March 2025 the quota was essentially exhausted, with no places left to grant.The paid-category outlook is more optimistic this financial year; at this pace, grants should continue into April–May.If Subclass 103 continues to grant around 100 places per month, the picture will be similar.

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Waiting periods keep getting longer

Assuming the paid-category parent-migration quota stays at 6,800 per financial year, based on the backlog figures provided by the Department of Home Affairs ↓

The waiting period works out to roughly: (83,437 + 15,006) ÷ 6,800 = 14.48 years.

This is the wait if you lodged your application today, assuming the quota stays unchanged and ignoring 103-to-143 queue-jumping transfers.

— which matches the 15-year estimate on the Department’s official website.

Queued (non-contributory) categoryWith a quota of 1,700 places per financial year,

the waiting period is: (30,693 + 27,013) ÷ 1,700 = 33.9 years — also consistent with what the Department states.

Recently, requests for further information have started to ease off; case officers are mostly finalising grants on applicants who responded to requests over the past 2–3 months. At this stage, paid-category request-for-information letters are still being issued on applications lodged in late September 2018, and even fewer requests are going out for the queued category, largely because there are few grant places left. For Subclass 143, Queue Letters have now been issued to applicants who lodged in early May 2023.

Parent migration involves a long wait. For those sitting at the end of the financial year waiting for a grant in particular, plan against real-time conditions — documents, tax returns, Assurance of Support (AoS) preparation, and so on — and manage your expectations. Don’t rush; good things come in time!

For any questions about parent visas or parent migration, feel free to contact the MARA-registered migration agents listed below!