Parent Visa (Subclass 103/804) - Complete Guide

The Parent Visa (subclass 103/804) allows parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia. This visa offers a low-cost pathway to permanent residency but comes with extremely long processing times, currently exceeding 30 years.

The visa operates in two stages: first you receive the Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 804), then you can apply for the permanent Parent visa (subclass 103). Due to the annual cap on grants and high demand, this visa is primarily suitable for families who cannot meet the financial requirements of the contributory parent visa and are willing to wait decades for processing.

Who This Visa Is For

• Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents
• Families with limited financial resources
• Parents who cannot meet Assurance of Support requirements
• Couples where one or both parents qualify
• Families willing to wait very long processing times
• Parents planning early for potential future migration citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia. This visa offers a low-cost pathway to permanent residency but comes with extremely long processing times, currently exceeding 30 years.

The visa operates in two stages: first you receive the Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 804), then you can apply for the permanent Parent visa (subclass 103). Due to the annual cap on grants and high demand, this visa is primarily suitable for families who cannot meet the financial requirements of the contributory parent visa and are willing to wait decades for processing.

Who This Visa Is For

• Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents

• Families with limited financial resources

• Parents who cannot meet Assurance of Support requirements

• Couples where one or both parents qualify

• Families willing to wait very long processing times

• Parents planning early for potential future migration'

Primary Requirements

To be eligible for the Parent Visa, you must:

1. Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
2. Meet the balance-of-family test
3. Be sponsored by your eligible child
4. Meet health and character requirements
5. Be outside Australia when applying (in most cases)
6. Not have an outstanding debt to the Australian government

Balance-of-Family Test

You meet this test if:

Option 1: At least half of your children live permanently in Australia

Option 2: You have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country

Counting Your Children:

• Include all children (biological, adopted, step-children)
• Children must be alive at time of application
• Consider permanent residence status, not temporary visas
• Count children regardless of their age
• Include children who have died after age 18

Sponsor Requirements

Your sponsoring child must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Be 18 years or older (or married/in de facto relationship if younger)
• Usually resident in Australia for at least 2 years before sponsoring
• Provide written undertaking for support obligations
• Not have outstanding debts to Australian government
• Meet character requirements
• Provide financial support if required

To be eligible for the Parent Visa, you must:

1. Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

2. Meet the balance-of-family test

3. Be sponsored by your eligible child

4. Meet health and character requirements

5. Be outside Australia when applying (in most cases)

6. Not have an outstanding debt to the Australian government

Balance-of-Family Test

You meet this test if:

Option 1: At least half of your children live permanently in Australia

Option 2: You have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country

Counting Your Children:

• Include all children (biological, adopted, step-children)

• Children must be alive at time of application

• Consider permanent residence status, not temporary visas

• Count children regardless of their age

• Include children who have died after age 18

Sponsor Requirements

Your sponsoring child must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

• Be 18 years or older (or married/in de facto relationship if younger)

• Usually resident in Australia for at least 2 years before sponsoring

• Provide written undertaking for support obligations

• Not have outstanding debts to Australian government

• Meet character requirements

• Provide financial support if required'

Identity Documents

• Passports for all applicants
• Birth certificates for all applicants
• Marriage certificate (if including spouse)
• Divorce certificates (if previously married)
• Change of name certificates (if applicable)

Family Relationship Evidence

• Birth certificates proving parent-child relationships
• Adoption certificates (if applicable)
• Evidence of all children’s current residence status
• Death certificates for deceased children (if relevant)

Sponsor Documents

• Australian citizenship certificate or passport
• Evidence of permanent residency (if applicable)
• Identity documents
• Evidence of 2-year residence in Australia
• Statutory declaration of sponsorship commitment

Character and Health Documents

• Police clearance certificates from all countries

• Health examination results from approved physicians

• Character statutory declarations if required

• Military service records (if applicable)

• Passports for all applicants

• Birth certificates for all applicants

• Marriage certificate (if including spouse)

• Divorce certificates (if previously married)

• Change of name certificates (if applicable)

Family Relationship Evidence

• Birth certificates proving parent-child relationships

• Adoption certificates (if applicable)

• Evidence of all children’’s current residence status

• Death certificates for deceased children (if relevant)

Sponsor Documents

• Australian citizenship certificate or passport

• Evidence of permanent residency (if applicable)

• Identity documents

• Evidence of 2-year residence in Australia

• Statutory declaration of sponsorship commitment

Character and Health Documents

• Police clearance certificates from all countries

• Health examination results from approved physicians

• Character statutory declarations if required

• Military service records (if applicable)'