Family is the cornerstone of life, and for many immigrants in Australia, bringing parents to live in the country is a top priority. Australia offers several options for those wishing to sponsor their parents. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this process…
The Parent visa allows parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to move to Australia permanently. Australia values family unity, hence provides this pathway to reunite families. However, the demand for these visas is high, and the eligibility criteria can be strict, making early planning essential.
There are two pathways for permanent residency for parents; non-contributory and contributory. The non-contributory visa has a much longer processing time although attracts a lower Government application charge. The contributory Parent visa can be processed a lot sooner, but the application charge is far greater.
Below we have listed all the visa options;
Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) – This permanent visa allows an aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay in Australia.
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) – This temporary visa allows the aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay temporarily in Australia.
Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 884) – This permanent visa allows an aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay in Australia.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) – This temporary visa allows the aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay temporarily in Australia.
Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) – This permanent visa allows an aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen move to Australia.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) – This temporary visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years.
In order to qualify for a Parent visa (except Subclass 870), each parent must meet the Balance of Family Test. This test requires that at least half of your children live permanently in Australia or that more of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other country. You must also meet certain health and character requirements, including undergoing medical examinations and police checks. For some Parent visas, an Assurance of Support is required, proving that the sponsor can financially support the parent(s) for a set period to ensure they do not rely on government assistance.
The application process can be complex and varies depending on the visa subclass. Costs vary widely between the different types of Parent Visas, with Contributory visas being significantly more expensive due to higher processing fees and assurance of support requirements.
Reuniting with parents is a deeply personal and important step for many migrants in Australia. While the Parent visas offer a pathway to bring parents to Australia, navigating the application process requires careful planning, patience, and often a significant financial commitment. Understanding the different options and requirements is the first step toward making informed decisions about family reunification.
Bringing families together is more than just processing visas; it’s about building lives and creating homes. Let us guide you through each step of the way, ensuring your loved ones can share in the beauty and opportunities Australia has to offer.
Looking for visa application support? Regional Migration Australia is here to guide you every step of the way. Based in Gippsland, Victoria, we provide services across Australia. Whether you’re an individual aiming to work and live in Australia or a business seeking to sponsor overseas workers, we can help. Contact us today to book a consultation!
Disclaimer – Content in these articles does not constitute immigration or legal advice, it is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. This material is designed to provide informative guidelines for general informational purposes only. Please consult with our Australian MARN registered agents via our content forms on our website or call on 1800 567 663 to make an appointment.
MARN – 2217877 / 1068715
