Temporary vs Permanent Parent Visas in Australia: Which One is Right for You?

Bringing your parents to Australia to live with you is a dream for many migrants who have built a new life Down Under. Whether it’s to provide care in their golden years, share family milestones, or simply enjoy more time together, Australia’s immigration system offers several visa options for parents. However, choosing between temporary and permanent parent visas can be overwhelming due to differences in eligibility, costs, processing times, and long-term implications. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll dive deep into the key options, compare them side by side, and help you determine which might be the best fit for your family’s situation. We’ll draw on the latest information as of August 2025 from official sources and expert insights to ensure you’re well-informed.

As Australia’s migration policies are impacted by factors like population planning, economic needs, and post-pandemic recovery—the parent visa landscape has seen adjustments in processing priorities and caps. For instance, the Family Migration Program continues to allocate limited places for parent visas each year, leading to queues that can stretch for decades in some cases. Let’s break it all down step by step.

Understanding Parent Visas in Australia: An Overview

Australia’s parent visas are designed for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are “settled” in Australia (typically meaning they’ve lived here for at least two years). These visas fall under the Family Migration Program, managed by the Department of Home Affairs. The program aims to reunite families while balancing Australia’s economic and social interests.

Parent visas are broadly categorized into temporary and permanent options. Temporary visas allow parents to stay for a limited period, often with the possibility of renewal, but without the pathway to citizenship or full settlement rights. Permanent visas, on the other hand, grant indefinite stay, work rights, and access to Medicare (after waiting periods), but they come with stricter criteria and often higher costs or longer waits.

Key subclasses include:

• Temporary: Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 870), Cont izin Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173), and Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 884).
• Permanent: Parent Visa (subclass 103), Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143), Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804), and Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864).

The “contributory” visas require a significant financial contribution to offset potential healthcare and welfare costs, which speeds up processing compared to non-contributory options. All parent visas (except the subclass 870) are subject to capping and queueing, meaning only a limited number are granted annually, creating backlogs. As of May 2025, estimates suggest contributory visas take about 14 years to process, while non-contributory ones can take 31 years.

In contrast, the subclass 870 is not capped, offering a faster temporary alternative.

Temporary Parent Visas: Flexibility for Short-Term Stays

Temporary parent visas are ideal if you’re looking for a quicker way to bring your parents over without committing to permanent residency. They don’t lead directly to permanent status but can bridge the gap while waiting for a permanent visa application to process.

👉 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)

Introduced in 2019, this visa has become popular as a flexible option amid long permanent visa queues. It allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per grant, with one renewal possible for a maximum continuous stay of 10 years. After 10 years, parents must leave Australia permanently, though they can apply for visitor visas afterward.

Eligibility Criteria

• For the Parent: Must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor. No age requirement, but they must meet health and character checks. They cannot have an existing parent visa application in progress (except in specific cases). Importantly, this visa does not require the “balance of family test” (more on that later).
• For the Sponsor: Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen aged 18+, settled in Australia for at least four years, and meet an income threshold (around AUD 83,454 for a single sponsor in 2025, or combined if co-sponsoring). The sponsor must first apply for and be approved as a sponsor, which includes providing financial support and accommodation assurances.

Costs

The visa fee starts at AUD 6,070 for a 3-year stay and AUD 12,140 for 5 years (per parent, with additional fees for family members). Sponsors also pay a sponsorship application fee of AUD 420. Health insurance is mandatory and not covered by the visa, potentially adding thousands annually.

Processing Times

Typically 4-5 months, making it one of the fastest parent visa options.

Conditions and Benefits

• Stay: Up to 5 years per visa, renewable once. Parents must leave for at least 90 days before renewing.
• Work and Study: No work rights; limited study (up to 3 months).
• Health and Welfare: Private health insurance required; no access to Medicare or Centrelink benefits.
• Benefits: Quick approval, no queue, allows multiple entries/exits, and can be used while waiting for a permanent visa.
• Limitations: Temporary only—no path to PR or citizenship. High renewal costs, and after 10 years, no further extensions. Parents cannot sponsor others.

👉 Other Temporary Options: Contributory Temporary Visas (Subclasses 173 and 884)

These are stepping-stone visas for the contributory permanent pathways. The subclass 173 (offshore) allows a 2-year stay, while the 884 (onshore, for aged parents over 66) also grants temporary status. They share eligibility with their permanent counterparts but have lower initial costs (around AUD 33,000 for 173). Processing can take years due to queues, and they transition to permanent after paying the second installment.

Pros: Lower upfront cost than full permanent; allows time in Australia during wait. Cons: Still expensive and queued.

Permanent Parent Visas: Long-Term Settlement

Permanent visas offer stability, allowing parents to live, work, and eventually become citizens in Australia. However, they involve the balance of family test: At least half of the parent’s children must live in Australia, or more in Australia than in any other single country. All require an Assurance of Support (AoS), where the sponsor commits to repaying any welfare costs for 2-10 years, often with a bank bond.

👉 Non-Contributory Permanent Visas (Subclasses 103 and 804)

These are the budget-friendly options but come with excruciating wait times.

Parent Visa (Subclass 103) – Offshore

For parents applying from outside Australia.

Eligibility

• Parent and sponsor criteria similar to above, plus balance of family test. Sponsor must provide AoS for 2 years.
• No age limit for 103; 804 requires parents to be pension age (66+ in 2025) and applying onshore.

Costs

Around AUD 4,770 per applicant, paid in installments. AoS bond: AUD 5,000-7,500.

Processing Times

Estimated 31 years due to annual cap of about 1,500 places. Queue dates currently up to December 2012.

Benefits and Limitations

• Benefits: Low cost, full PR rights including work, Medicare (after 2-4 years wait), and citizenship eligibility.
• Limitations: Extremely long waits make it impractical for older parents; no bridging visa if applied offshore.

The Aged Parent Visa (804) is similar but onshore, with queue dates up to January 2013.

👉 Contributory Permanent Visas (Subclasses 143 and 864)

These “fast-track” options require a large contribution to Australia’s health system.

Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) – Offshore

Eligibility

Same as non-contributory, including balance of family. AoS for 10 years with higher bond (AUD 10,000-15,000).

Costs

From AUD 48,640 per applicant, paid in two installments (first ~AUD 4,500, second ~AUD 44,140 upon approval). Total for a couple can exceed AUD 100,000.

Processing Times

Estimated 14 years, with queue dates up to April/May 2018. Once released from queue, final processing takes about 4 weeks.

Benefits and Limitations

• Benefits: Faster than non-contributory (annual cap ~7,000), full PR perks, including immediate work rights and Medicare access for aged parents.
• Limitations: High cost; long queues still apply. No refunds if circumstances change.

The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (864) is the onshore equivalent for parents over 66.

Key Differences: Temporary vs. Permanent Parent Visas

To help you compare, here’s a detailed table:

Temporary visas offer speed and lower cost but no long-term security. Permanent ones provide settlement but demand patience or deep pockets. Contributory options strike a balance for those who can afford it.

Which One is Right for You? Factors to Consider

Choosing depends on your family’s unique circumstances:

1. Parents’ Age and Health: For elderly parents, temporary visas like 870 allow immediate reunion, while permanent waits could be too long. If health is declining, consider if they need Medicare access.
2. Financial Situation: Can you afford the contributory fees? Non-contributory is cheaper but impractical. Temporary is mid-range but recurring.
3. Family Structure: If you don’t meet the balance of family test, only temporary 870 works.
4. Long-Term Plans: Want parents to settle permanently? Go for permanent. For extended visits, temporary suffices.
5. Sponsor’s Commitments: Sponsors for temporary must prove income; for permanent, provide AoS bonds.
6. Current Wait Times: With 2025 queues, many opt for 870 while queuing for 143.

Case Study 1: Quick Reunion – A 35-year-old Australian citizen with parents in their 60s chooses subclass 870 for a 5-year stay, costing AUD 12,140. They renew after 5 years, buying time while applying for 143.

Case Study 2: Permanent Settlement – A family with multiple siblings in Australia pays for subclass 143, enduring the 14-year wait but securing PR for aging parents.

Consider consulting a registered migration agent in Australia for personalized advice, as policies can change.

Application Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Prepare Documents: Proof of relationship, financials, health exams—submit everything upfront to avoid delays.
• Online Applications: Use the official immigration portal for most visas.
• Bridging Visas: For onshore applications, parents may get a bridging visa to stay during processing.
• Avoid Pitfalls: Don’t apply for multiple visas simultaneously without checking rules; ensure health insurance compliance.
• COVID-19 Legacy: Some concessions from the pandemic era may still apply, like flexible travel.

Conclusion

Temporary parent visas like subclass 870 provide a practical, swift solution for family reunions, while permanent options like 103 and 143 offer lasting security at the cost of time or money. Ultimately, the right choice hinges on your parents’ needs, your finances, and how urgently you want them here. With processing times stretching to decades for some, starting early is key. Check the Department of Home Affairs for the latest updates, and remember: family migration is about more than visas, it’s about building a shared future in Australia.

💡 Note: Visa fees mentioned in this guide are indicative as of August 2025. Costs may vary depending on exchange rates, policy updates, additional applicants, or changes introduced by the Department of Home Affairs. Always refer to the official Home Affairs website or consult a registered migration agent for the most current and accurate information.