Contributory Parent visa
(subclass 143)
To be eligible for the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143), you must meet the following requirements:
- Intend to move to or stay in Australia as a permanent resident.
- Be able to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
- Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
- Have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, unless you are applying for the Retirement Pathway.
- Meet the balance-of-family test, unless you are applying for the Retirement Pathway or hold a subclass 173 visa.
- Have an Assurance of Support, unless you are applying for the Retirement Pathway.
- Not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
With this visa you can
- Indefinite stay in Australia, allowing you to establish a permanent residence.
- Authorization to work and pursue education opportunities in Australia.
- Eligibility to enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare, ensuring access to essential healthcare services.
- Sponsorship rights to bring your family members to Australia.
- Travel flexibility, with the ability to enter and exit Australia for a period of 5 years.
- Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
With the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143), you have the freedom to travel to and from Australia as frequently as you wish within a period of 5 years from the date of visa grant. This travel facility remains valid as long as the visa is active.
However, if you wish to travel beyond the initial 5-year period, you will need to apply for and obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV). This allows you to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident after traveling abroad.
Alternatively, you may also consider applying for Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa to enter Australia. Instead, you will need to apply for an Australian passport, which serves as your travel document for entry into and exit from Australia.
For information on the expiration date of your travel facility, you can check your visa details using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.
If you hold a Contributory Parent (Temporary) (subclass 173) visa
You have the option to pursue the subclass 143 visa through a two-step process. Initially, you can apply for the Contributory Parent (Temporary) (subclass 173) visa. This sequential approach enables you to distribute the expenses associated with the visas across several years.
Notably, you have already satisfied the balance of family test requirement, ensuring eligibility for the visa pathway.
Apply for a Parent visa (subclass 143) as a retiree
How long you can stay
This permanent visa offers indefinite residency in Australia.
For citizenship purposes, the commencement of your permanent residency varies based on your location:
- If you are in Australia when the visa is granted, your permanent residency begins on the day the visa is granted.
- If you are outside Australia and enter on this visa, your permanent residency starts on the day you arrive in Australia.
Include family
When applying, you have the option to include members of your family unit.
All family members, whether migrating or not, must be listed in the application. Those family members applying for the visa must meet the health and character requirements, while non-migrating family members may also need to meet these criteria.
If you apply for this visa as a retiree:
- 1. You can include your partner in the application if they are also retirees.
- However, you cannot include your children in your application.
Cost
The cost of the visa is AUD48,365, with an additional charge for each family member included in the application.
Payment for the visa is divided into two instalments. The first instalment is paid upon application, while the second instalment is paid upon request from immigration authorities.
Additionally, there may be other associated costs for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
To calculate the total cost of your visa, you can use the Visa Pricing Estimator. However, please note that this tool may not include other expenses.
Apply from
If you apply for the visa while in Australia, your family members who are included in the application must also be in Australia at the time of application, but not in immigration clearance. Conversely, if you apply for the visa from outside Australia, your family members must also be outside Australia at the time of application.
However, if you are applying as a retiree, you must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) at the time of application. Yet, you can be either inside or outside Australia when the immigration authorities make a decision on your application.
Processing times
Due to the high demand for these visas and the limited number of places available each year, processing times for applications can be quite lengthy.
For an estimate of processing times, you can refer to the visa processing time guide tool, which provides information on recently decided applications. However, please note that these processing times are indicative and may vary depending on various factors.
Your application may take longer to process if there are errors or omissions in the application, if all required documents are not included, or if additional information is needed from you. Additionally, the verification process for your information may also contribute to processing delays.
It’s important to ensure that you pay the correct visa application charge, as failure to do so can result in your application not being processed. If there are any issues with your payment, we will notify you accordingly and may return your application if necessary.
For more detailed information on migration program outcomes and processing priorities, you can refer to the Reports on Migration Programs.
Assessment
Applications for this visa are processed in two stages:
- Initial Eligibility Check: During this stage, we assess whether your application meets the basic eligibility criteria. If your application meets these criteria, it will either be added to the queue for further processing or refused if it does not meet the requirements.
- Queue Assessment: Once your application is in the queue, we continue to assess it as places become available. Due to the high demand for these visas and the limited number of places allocated each year, there may be a waiting period before your application is assessed further. When your application reaches the front of the queue, we will continue to assess it and make a decision.
It’s important to note that you should not make arrangements to stay permanently in Australia until your visa is granted. We will notify you in writing if your visa application is successful.
For more information on the processing queue and priorities for Parent visas, you can refer to additional resources provided by the immigration authorities.
Consider another visa
Your obligations
You must enter Australia before the date specified in your visa grant letter, typically set at 12 months from the date of visa grant. It’s crucial to adhere to this requirement to avoid any complications or visa cancellations.
Additionally, you and your accompanying family members must comply with all visa conditions and abide by Australian laws during your stay in Australia. Failure to meet these requirements may result in visa cancellations or other legal consequences.
For detailed information on the specific conditions attached to your visa, please refer to our visa conditions page. Understanding and following these conditions are essential to ensure a smooth and successful stay in Australia.
Visa label
Your visa will be electronically linked to your passport, eliminating the need for a physical label in your passport. This digital linking ensures that your visa information is readily accessible and verifiable by immigration authorities when you travel to Australia. Therefore, you won’t receive a label or sticker in your passport confirming your visa status. Instead, you can verify your visa details electronically through the appropriate channels provided by the Australian government.
Eligibility
Not have this visa
If you have already applied for or currently hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa, you are not eligible to apply for the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143). This restriction applies to avoid overlapping or duplicating visa applications for similar purposes. Therefore, if you are seeking to apply for a different parent visa, you would need to explore other options available based on your circumstances.
Apply as a retiree
If you meet the specified criteria as a retiree, you can apply for the Parent visa (subclass 143) without needing to fulfill the balance of family test, have an assurance of support, or require a sponsor. This pathway is available for individuals who held or had previously held an Investor Retirement (subclass 405) visa or Retirement (subclass 410) as of May 8, 2018, and have not held any other substantive visa between May 8, 2018, and the date of application for the Parent visa.
Have a sponsor
If you’re applying for the Parent visa (subclass 143) as a retiree, you won’t need a sponsor. However, under usual circumstances, sponsorship by an eligible child is required for this visa. In the unfortunate event of your sponsor’s death, special considerations may apply, especially if you hold a Temporary Contributory Parent (subclass 173) visa. In such cases, you may still be eligible for the Parent visa (subclass 143), but it’s advisable to review your specific circumstances and seek guidance on what steps to take if your situation changes.
Meet the balance-of-family test
If you’re applying for the Parent visa (subclass 143) as a retiree, you won’t need to meet the balance of family test. However, under normal circumstances, meeting the balance of family test is a requirement for this visa. The balance of family test is considered met if at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or if there are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country. It’s worth noting that if you hold a Contributory Parent (subclass 173) (Temporary) visa, you’ve already met the balance of family test.
Have assurance of support
If you’re applying for the Parent visa (subclass 143) as a retiree, you won’t need to obtain an assurance of support. However, under normal circumstances, being able to obtain an assurance of support is a requirement for this visa. An assurance of support ensures that you will not need to rely on government assistance after entering Australia on this visa. It covers you and any family members who accompany you to Australia on this visa. You’ll be notified when you need to provide the assurance of support.
Meet the balance-of-family test
You must meet the balance-of-family test. You meet the balance of family test if:
at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
there are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country
See examples of how the balance-of-family test is applied.
Have assurance of support
To be eligible for the Parent visa (subclass 804), you must be able to obtain an assurance of support. This assurance acts as a commitment from a sponsor or sponsor group to provide financial support to you and any family members accompanying you on the visa.
The assurance of support assures the Australian government that you will not need to rely on government assistance once you enter Australia on this visa. It covers both you and any family members who immigrate with you.
We will provide you with specific instructions on when and how to provide the assurance of support during the visa application process.
For more detailed information about assurances of support and their requirements, you can refer to additional resources provided by the Australian immigration authorities.
Meet the health requirement
All applicants, including family members who are applying for the Parent visa (subclass 143) with you, must meet the health requirement set by the Australian immigration authorities. Additionally, non-migrating family members might also be asked to meet this requirement. It’s essential for all applicants to undergo health assessments to ensure they meet the health standards specified by the Australian government for migration purposes.
Meet the character requirement
All applicants, including family members applying for the Parent visa (subclass 143) alongside you, must meet the character requirement set by the Australian immigration authorities. This entails providing evidence of good character, which typically involves disclosing any criminal history, previous immigration violations, or other relevant background information. Non-migrating family members might also be subject to this requirement at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members included in the visa application owe money to the Australian Government, it’s imperative that the debt is either fully repaid or an official arrangement to repay it is in place. This requirement applies to ensure compliance with Australian immigration regulations and financial responsibilities.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
Your immigration history, including any previous visa cancellations or refusals, will be taken into account during the assessment of your visa application. While such circumstances may affect your eligibility for certain visas, there are still avenues available, particularly for permanent visa applications, even if you have faced visa cancellations or refusals in the past. It’s essential to review the specific limitations and requirements outlined by the Australian immigration authorities, as well as consider seeking assistance from qualified professionals if needed.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you’re 18 years of age or older and applying for an Australian visa, you must fulfill certain requirements regarding Australian values and way of life. Specifically, you need to have familiarized yourself with the contents of the “Life in Australia” book, which provides essential information about the country’s culture, society, and laws. Additionally, you’ll be required to sign an Australian Values Statement, confirming your commitment to respecting the Australian way of life and obeying its laws. These measures are integral to the visa application process and demonstrate your readiness to integrate into Australian society.
Have health insurance
If you apply for the Parent visa as a retiree, it’s essential to maintain adequate health insurance coverage until your visa is granted. This insurance should cover medically necessary treatments, including transportation costs.
To ensure that your health insurance meets the requirements, refer to the guidelines provided by the Australian government. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the concept of reciprocal healthcare agreements, as some countries have arrangements with Australia that may affect your healthcare coverage.
For detailed information and guidance on health insurance for overseas visitors and reciprocal healthcare agreements, you can consult the relevant resources provided by Services Australia.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Conditions
8502 - Not arrive before person specified in visa
It’s crucial to adhere to the visa conditions regarding entry into Australia. Typically, you must not enter Australia before the primary visa holder or another relevant person specified in the visa has entered Australia. This is particularly important for visas like Partner visas, where the sponsor’s entry into Australia may be a prerequisite for the visa holder’s entry.
Ensure that you understand and comply with this condition to avoid any complications or issues with your visa application or entry into Australia.
8515 - Must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entry
It’s essential to adhere to the conditions of your visa, which may include refraining from marrying or entering into a de facto relationship before entering Australia. Failure to comply with this condition could result in the cancellation of your visa if it’s discovered that you were engaged, married, or in a de facto relationship before the visa was granted, but you did not inform the authorities.
If your contact details change, it’s important to update them promptly to ensure that you receive important communications regarding your visa status or any changes in visa conditions.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the conditions attached to your visa to avoid any inadvertent breaches.
If you choose to apply for the subclass 143 visa under the retiree pathway, you are exempted from: