Parent Permanent Visa
What you should know:
• Parent visas are available for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens
• Permanent visa options require meeting the Balance of Family Test, health and character checks, and in many cases, an Assurance of Support
• Applicants for onshore permanent parent visas must be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension
• The process can involve two stages: a temporary visa first, followed by a permanent visa once the second installment is paid
• Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) allows stays of 3 or 5 years without needing to meet the family balance test
• 870 visa sponsors must meet income thresholds, hold prior sponsorship approval, and accept medical debt liability
• No work or Medicare rights are granted under the 870 visa
• Other short-stay options include Subclass 600 (up to 12 months), Subclass 601 ETA, and Subclass 651 e-Visitor (up to 3 months)
• Subclass 405 and 410 visa holders (as of 8 May 2018) may access parent permanent pathways without meeting the balance of family or sponsor criteria
• API provides expert support with sponsor eligibility, visa selection, application strategy, and documentation
For parents of eligible sponsors, there are various permanent and temporary visa options.
The eligible sponsors shall be:
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A child of these parents who is:
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An eligible New Zealand citizen
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An Australian citizen
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A permanent resident of Australia
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Or the child is younger than 18 years old (in a specific and exceptional situation) and an eligible relative or a community organization
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The main criteria for receiving a permanent parent visa are as follows:
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The parent shall pass the family balance test
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Be old enough to receive an age pension in Australia if applying for an onshore parent visa
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Satisfy the health and character requirements
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Present an eligible Australian to pay the refundable bond
There are also other parent visas including two stages. First, a temporary visa is granted and the parent can apply for a permanent visa when the additional visa application fee is paid within two years.
Processing time and application charges may vary depending on the visa pathway.
The table below summarizes the key aspects of parent visa options that lead to permanent residency.
In some cases, individuals holding a Subclass 405 Investor Retirement Visa or a Subclass 410 Retirement Visa as of May 8, 2018 (and no other visas from that time) may apply for a parent Permanent Visa.
They are not required to:
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Have an eligible Sponsor;
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Meet the balance of family tests;
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Have reliable support.
Parent Temporary Visa
Sponsored Parent temporary visa subclass 870 lets parents stay in Australia for three or five years. This route requires a second installment payment of $5,000 or $10,000, depending on whether the parent is applying for a 3-year or 5-year Australia Temporary Parent Visa.
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The temporary parent visa, unlike the permanent one, does not require accomplishing the family balance test.
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An eligible parent shall meet the following requirements for the Australia Temporary Parent Visa:
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Shall be sponsored by an Australian citizen who is settled, an eligible New Zealand citizen living in Australia indefinitely, or a permanent resident;
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Fulfill character and health requirements as well as special return and public interest requirements for the Australia Temporary Parent Visa.
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Not having any remaining debt to the public health in Australia
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Holding and keeping health insurance from an Australian health insurance provider for the time they remain in Australia under the Australia Temporary Parent Visa.
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An eligible sponsor shall meet the following requirements for the Australia Temporary Parent Visa:
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Receive previous approval from the immigration department
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Be legally responsible for any remaining public medical debt that parents may have in Australia under the Australia Temporary Parent Visa.
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Fulfill the income test required by the government
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Fulfill other sponsorship responsibilities, such as providing information to immigration authorities when specific events take place for the Australia Temporary Parent Visa.
An eligible sponsor is not allowed to sponsor more than two parents for each household at the same time. A parent may need to apply for several subclass 870 visas to stay in Australia for up to 10 years using the Australia Temporary Parent Visa.
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Please consider that this visa does not give the parents any working or Medicare rights.
There are several other inexpensive temporary visas available for parents:
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Subclass 600 allowing you to stay for up to 12 months
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Subclasses 601 (ETA) and 651 (e-Visitor) visas, allowing you to stay for up to 3 months.
The best visa option depends on the parents' circumstances and purposes.
Looking to bring your parents to Australia permanently?
If you’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may sponsor your parents for a Parent Permanent Visa. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the Balance of Family Test, pass health and character checks, and, in most cases, provide an Assurance of Support. If your parents are applying from within Australia, they must also be old enough to qualify for the Age Pension. Not sure which visa suits your family’s needs? We’re here to guide you—from eligibility checks to documentation and strategy. Start your journey by filling out our free visa assessment form today.
FAQs
1. How do I know which Australian visa is right for me?
We’ll assess your personal profile, skills, and goals to help you choose the visa that best suits your situation—whether skilled, family, student, or employer-sponsored.
2. Do I need a skills assessment to apply for a skilled visa?
Yes, if you’re applying for a skilled visa (like Subclass 189, 190, or 491), you’ll need a positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority. We help prepare your documents to meet the criteria.
3. Can you help me if my visa was refused or cancelled?
Absolutely. Our OMARA-registered agents have experience representing clients at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and can guide you through the appeals process.
4. Is state sponsorship necessary for migration to Australia?
Not always—but for many visas like the 190 or 491, state sponsorship improves your chances. We’ll evaluate your occupation and advise which states are currently inviting applicants.
5. What is the processing time for Australian visas?
Processing times vary depending on the visa type, individual circumstances, and government changes. We provide realistic timeframes after reviewing your specific case.
6. Can you help with Australian citizenship applications?
Yes. If you meet the residency and eligibility requirements, we can assist with preparing your citizenship application and ensuring all documents are correctly submitted.
