Australia offers several parent visa options, from the long-wait standard parent visas to the faster (but expensive) contributory options. Understanding which parent visa is right for your family's situation, budget, and timeline is crucial. Gemini's advisors have guided many families through what is often the most emotionally significant visa application of their lives.
Key Requirements
• Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, PR, or an eligible NZ citizen
• Applicant must satisfy the Balance of Family Test
• Health and character requirements
• Assurance of Support (AoS) require, financial bond held by the government
• Contributory Parent: Additional Contribution (Second VAC) paid on or before grant
Who is This Visa For?
Parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. The 'balance of family' test requires that at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more children are in Australia than in any other single country.
Visa Conditions and Key Details
• Subclass 103 (Standard Parent Visa): Permanent; queue-based, 30+ year wait currently
• Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent, Offshore): Permanent; ~3–5 year processing; higher cost
• Subclass 884 (Contributory Aged Parent, Onshore): Permanent; similar costs
• Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent Temporary): 3 or 5 year temporary stay; renewable up to 10 years total
• Full Medicare access on permanent parent visas
Processing Time and Cost
• Processing Time: Subclass 143: 75% within 5.5 years; Subclass 870 (temp): 75% within 12 months
• Visa Application Charge: Subclass 143: AUD 47,755 + Second VAC AUD 38,515 = AUD ~86,000 total. Subclass 870: AUD 5,420 (3yr) or AUD 7,755 (5yr)
How We Help
Gemini explains all parent visa options transparently, including the high costs and waiting times and helps families choose between temporary and permanent pathways based on budget, urgency, and the parent's age and health.
Next step
Start your Australia journey with GEMINI Education