Parent Visa 103 vs 143 vs 173: Which One Gets You to Australia Faster?

Australia is one of the most popular destinations for family migration, and many Australian citizens and permanent residents wish to reunite with their parents. The Australian Government offers several parent visa options, each with different costs, processing times, and eligibility requirements.

The three most commonly compared visas are the Parent Visa (Subclass 103), Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143), and Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173).

Choosing the right visa can significantly affect how quickly your parents can move to Australia, how much you’ll pay in visa charges, and whether they’ll be eligible for Medicare and permanent residency.

This guide compares the Parent Visa 103, Parent Visa 143, and Parent Visa 173 to help you understand which option best suits your family’s circumstances.

Understanding Australia’s Parent Visa Options

Parent visas allow eligible parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.

The three main options include:

• Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
• Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
• Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)

Each visa offers different pathways to permanent residency and comes with varying processing times and government charges.

What Is the Parent Visa (Subclass 103)?

The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) is a permanent visa designed for parents who wish to live in Australia permanently with their children.

It is often considered the more affordable option because it has lower government application charges compared to contributory parent visas.

a. Key Features

• Permanent residency
• Live in Australia indefinitely
• Work and study in Australia
• Access Medicare (if eligible)
• Sponsor eligible relatives
• Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible

b. Advantages

• Lower visa application cost
• Permanent residency granted directly
• Suitable for applicants with flexible timelines

c. Disadvantages

The biggest drawback is the extremely long processing time.

Due to annual migration caps and high demand, applicants may wait many years before receiving a visa decision.

What Is the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is also a permanent visa but offers significantly faster processing than the Parent Visa 103.

Applicants pay substantially higher visa charges in exchange for shorter waiting periods.

a. Benefits

Successful applicants can:

• Live permanently in Australia
• Work without restrictions
• Study in Australia
• Enrol in Medicare
• Sponsor eligible family members
• Travel freely in and out of Australia
• Apply for citizenship when eligible

b. Advantages

Compared with Subclass 103, the 143 visa generally offers:

• Faster processing
• Immediate permanent residency
• Full work rights
• Medicare access
• Greater certainty for families wanting to reunite sooner

The higher government contribution helps support Australia’s healthcare and public services, which is why these visas are processed more quickly.

What Is the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)?

The Subclass 173 visa is a temporary pathway that eventually leads to permanent residency.

It allows parents to move to Australia first before later applying for the permanent Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143).

Many families choose this pathway because it spreads the government visa costs over two stages.

Key Features

• Temporary residence
• Live in Australia during the visa period
• Work rights
• Study rights
• Pathway to permanent residency through Subclass 143

After receiving the temporary visa, applicants can apply for the permanent contributory parent visa.

Parent Visa 103 vs 143 vs 173 Comparison

Which Visa Is Processed Faster?

One of the biggest differences between these visas is processing time.

1. Parent Visa 103

The Parent Visa 103 generally has the longest waiting period because it is part of the non-contributory parent visa program, which has limited places available each year.

Applicants should be prepared for a very lengthy wait before a visa becomes available.

2. Parent Visa 143

The Contributory Parent Visa 143 is significantly faster because applicants pay higher government charges, allowing more places to be allocated each year.

For many families, this is the preferred option when time is an important consideration.

3. Parent Visa 173

The temporary contributory visa is also processed much faster than the Parent Visa 103.

It allows parents to relocate to Australia sooner while preparing for permanent residency through the Subclass 143 visa.

Understanding the Cost Differences

Cost is often one of the deciding factors when choosing a parent visa.

1. Parent Visa 103

This visa has the lowest application fees, making it attractive for families with limited budgets.

However, applicants should weigh these savings against the much longer waiting period.

2. Parent Visa 143

The Subclass 143 visa involves significantly higher government charges but offers a much quicker pathway to permanent residency.

Many families consider the additional cost worthwhile because it allows parents to reunite with their children much sooner.

3. Parent Visa 173

The temporary visa allows applicants to spread the overall government charges across two applications.

This staged payment option can make the contributory pathway more financially manageable.

Who Can Sponsor a Parent?

To sponsor a parent under these visa categories, the sponsor generally must be:

• An Australian citizen
• An Australian permanent resident
• An eligible New Zealand citizen

Sponsors usually need to be settled in Australia and meet sponsorship obligations set by the Department of Home Affairs.

The Balance of Family Test

One of the most important eligibility requirements for most Australian parent visas is passing the Balance of Family Test.

This test determines whether enough of the parent’s children live permanently in Australia.

Generally, applicants satisfy the test if:

• At least half of their children are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are usually resident in Australia, or
• They have more eligible children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country.

For example, if parents have four children and two live permanently in Australia while the other two live overseas, they may satisfy the Balance of Family Test. However, every family’s circumstances are different, and professional advice can help determine eligibility.

Assurance of Support

For the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) and, later, the permanent stage following the Subclass 173 visa, applicants are generally required to meet the Assurance of Support (AoS) requirement.

An Assurance of Support is a legal commitment made by a financial assurer, usually the sponsor or another eligible person, agreeing to support the parent financially if needed during the assurance period. A security bond may also be required.

The purpose of the AoS is to reduce the likelihood that new migrants will rely on certain Australian social security payments soon after arrival.

Health and Character Requirements

Applicants for all parent visa subclasses must satisfy Australia’s health and character requirements.

This generally involves:

• Completing medical examinations with approved panel physicians.
• Providing police clearance certificates from countries where they have lived for the required period.
• Meeting any additional health or character requests made by the Department of Home Affairs.

Failing to meet these requirements can delay or affect a visa application, so it is important to prepare the necessary documents early.

Required Documents

Although document requirements vary depending on individual circumstances, applicants commonly need:

• Valid passports
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Evidence of the relationship with the sponsoring child
• Sponsor’s proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
• Identity documents
• Police certificates
• Health examination results
• Any documents supporting the Balance of Family Test

Providing complete and accurate documentation can help minimise unnecessary delays.

Which Parent Visa Is Right for Your Family?

The best visa depends on your priorities, financial situation, and how quickly you want your parents to move to Australia.

a. Choose Parent Visa (Subclass 103) if:

• You want the lowest government application charges.
• You are prepared for a very long waiting period.
• Your parents do not need to migrate urgently.
• Cost is your main consideration.

b. Choose Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) if:

• You want your parents to migrate as soon as possible.
• You can afford the higher government charges.
• Permanent residency is your preferred outcome.
• You want immediate access to the benefits of permanent residence once the visa is granted.

c. Choose Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) if:

• You prefer to spread the visa costs over two stages.
• You want your parents to move to Australia sooner than the Subclass 103 allows.
• You intend to apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying for a parent visa can be complex. Some common mistakes include:

• Choosing the wrong visa subclass.
• Misunderstanding the Balance of Family Test.
• Providing incomplete documentation.
• Delaying health examinations or police clearances.
• Incorrectly calculating eligible children for the Balance of Family Test.
• Missing requests for additional information from the Department of Home Affairs.
• Assuming the cheapest visa is always the best option.

Seeking professional migration advice can help avoid costly delays and improve the accuracy of your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can parents work in Australia?

Yes. Permanent parent visa holders generally have unrestricted work rights. Temporary visa holders may also have work rights, depending on the visa conditions.

Q. Can parents access Medicare?

Permanent parent visa holders are generally eligible to enrol in Medicare. Eligibility for temporary visa holders depends on their visa status and any applicable reciprocal healthcare arrangements.

Q. Can parents become Australian citizens?

Yes. Once they hold permanent residency and meet the residence and other eligibility requirements, they may be able to apply for Australian citizenship.

Q. Can more than one child sponsor their parents?

Usually, only one eligible child acts as the sponsor, although all children may be considered when assessing the Balance of Family Test.

Q. Is the Parent Visa 143 worth the higher cost?

For many families, the answer is yes. While the government charges are significantly higher than those for the Subclass 103 visa, the much shorter processing time allows parents to reunite with their families sooner.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between the Parent Visa (Subclass 103), Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143), and Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) depends on your family’s goals, financial circumstances, and how quickly you want your parents to migrate to Australia.

If keeping costs low is your highest priority, the Subclass 103 visa may be suitable, provided you are comfortable with a lengthy wait. If faster family reunification is more important, the Subclass 143 offers a quicker pathway to permanent residency, while the Subclass 173 provides a staged approach that allows families to spread the financial commitment before transitioning to permanent residence.

Because parent visa applications involve strict eligibility requirements, sponsorship obligations, the Balance of Family Test, and detailed documentation, obtaining professional guidance can make the process much smoother.

Need Help Applying for an Australian Parent Visa?

At Easy Aussie Migration, our experienced migration professionals assist families with Parent Visa applications, including Subclass 103, Subclass 143, and Subclass 173. We provide personalised advice, assess your eligibility, help prepare the required documentation, and guide you through every stage of the application process. If you’re planning to bring your parents to Australia, our team can help you choose the most suitable visa pathway and improve your chances of a successful outcome.