Parent Visa Cost Comparison

Parent visa costs can be broadly divided into non-contributory, contributory and temporary sponsored pathways.

The Department confirms that Contributory Parent category visas have substantially higher second Visa Application Charges and higher Assurance of Support bond requirements than non-contributory Parent visas.

Subclass 103 Parent Visa Cost

The Parent visa subclass 103 is a permanent, non-contributory Parent visa.

The visa generally has a lower initial application charge than contributory Parent visas, but it is subject to capping and queueing.

The Department currently estimates approximately 33 years for new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications under current settings.

The total cost can include:

• Visa application charge
• Additional applicant charges
• Health examinations
• Police certificates
• Assurance of Support-related costs
• Document translation
• Professional migration advice, if used

The amount payable depends on the application circumstances and current government charges.

Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa Cost

The Contributory Parent visa subclass 143 is a permanent visa.

It is called a contributory visa because applicants generally pay significantly higher visa charges than applicants for subclass 103.

The cost structure can include:

• First Visa Application Charge
• Additional applicant charges
• Second Visa Application Charge
• Assurance of Support bond
• Health examination costs
• Police certificates
• Translation and certification costs
• Professional migration advice, if applicable

The Department confirms that contributory Parent visas have a substantially higher second Visa Application Charge.

Subclass 173 Contributory Parent Temporary Visa Cost

The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa subclass 173 is the temporary stage of the:

Subclass 173 → Subclass 143

pathway.

Applicants initially pay the applicable subclass 173 visa charges. If they later apply for subclass 143, additional charges apply at that stage.

The temporary-to-permanent pathway can therefore involve costs at both visa stages.

The Department provides specific concessions for eligible subclass 173 holders who subsequently apply for subclass 143.

Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa Cost

The Aged Parent visa subclass 804 is a permanent, non-contributory Parent visa for eligible aged parents.

Compared with subclass 864, it generally has a lower visa charge structure.

However, subclass 804 is subject to a very lengthy Parent visa queue.

The Department currently reports that Aged Parent applications with queue dates up to April 2014 have been released for final processing, while the estimated processing timeframe for new Parent and Aged Parent applications is approximately 33 years under current settings.

Potential costs include:

• Visa application charges
• Additional applicant charges
• Assurance of Support-related costs
• Health examinations
• Police certificates
• Translation/certification
• Professional migration assistance

Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa Cost

The Contributory Aged Parent visa subclass 864 is a permanent visa for eligible aged parents.

It has a significantly higher contributory cost structure than subclass 804.

Costs can include:

• First Visa Application Charge
• Additional applicant charges
• Second Visa Application Charge
• Assurance of Support bond
• Health examinations
• Police certificates
• Translation and certification
• Professional migration assistance, if applicable

The higher cost of the contributory pathway is one of the major factors families should consider when comparing subclass 804 and subclass 864.

Subclass 884 Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa Cost

The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa subclass 884 is the temporary stage of the:

Subclass 884 → Subclass 864

pathway.

Applicants pay the applicable subclass 884 charges initially and then further charges when progressing to subclass 864.

Eligible subclass 884 holders can benefit from specific concessions when applying for the corresponding permanent subclass 864 visa.

Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa Cost

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa subclass 870 is different from permanent Parent visas.

It allows an eligible parent to stay in Australia temporarily for up to 3 or 5 years, subject to the visa grant and applicable requirements.

The overall cost can include:

• Sponsorship-related charges
• Visa application charge
• Additional applicant charges where applicable
• Health examinations
• Police certificates
• Health insurance
• Professional migration advice, if used

Unlike permanent Parent visas, subclass 870 is not subject to the permanent Parent visa queue.

Additional Applicant Charges

Parent visa applications can include more than one applicant.

For example, if a parent applies together with their spouse or another eligible family member, an additional applicant charge may apply.

The Department calculates the visa application charge using:

Base application charge + applicable additional applicant charge(s).

The additional charge depends on the applicant's age and the particular visa.

For example, Home Affairs currently explains that an adult additional applicant for a Parent subclass 103 application attracts an additional applicant charge in addition to the main applicant's base charge.

Therefore, the total cost of a Parent visa application can be considerably different for a single applicant compared with a couple.

Second Visa Application Charge

Some Parent visas have a second Visa Application Charge (VAC).

This is particularly important for contributory Parent visas.

The second instalment is generally payable when the Department requests it as part of the visa process.

For contributory Parent visas, the second VAC is substantially higher than the charges associated with non-contributory Parent visas.

Applicants should therefore consider the total pathway cost, rather than looking only at the initial application fee.

Assurance of Support Costs

An Assurance of Support (AoS) may be required for Parent visa applicants.

The Assurance of Support is separate from the visa application charge.

Depending on the visa and circumstances, the AoS may involve:

• An assurer
• Financial eligibility requirements
• An Assurance of Support bond
• A legally enforceable financial commitment
• An applicable Assurance of Support period

Contributory Parent visas generally have a higher Assurance of Support bond and longer Assurance of Support period than non-contributory Parent visas.

The exact amount and requirements should be checked against the current Department and Services Australia rules before proceeding.

Other Parent Visa Costs

The government visa application charge is not necessarily the only expense.

Applicants may also need to budget for:

Health Examinations

Medical examinations may be required depending on the visa and individual circumstances.

Police Certificates

Police certificates may be required to satisfy character requirements.

Translation

Documents that are not in English generally need to be translated according to Department requirements.

Certification

Some documents may need certification or other forms of verification.

Health Insurance

Temporary Parent visa applicants may need appropriate health insurance depending on their visa and conditions.

Professional Migration Advice

If you engage a Registered Migration Agent or immigration lawyer, professional fees are separate from government visa charges.

Parent Visa Cost vs Processing Time

Cost is only one factor when choosing a Parent visa.

There is a significant difference between the contributory and non-contributory Parent visa pathways.

Non-Contributory Parent Visas

Examples:

• Subclass 103
• Subclass 804

These generally have lower government visa charges but are subject to extremely long processing queues.

Contributory Parent Visas

Examples:

• Subclass 143
• Subclass 173
• Subclass 864
• Subclass 884

These have substantially higher government charges but are subject to a different processing queue.

Home Affairs currently estimates approximately:

Contributory Parent visas: 15 years

Parent and Aged Parent visas: 33 years

These are estimates based on current program settings and are not guaranteed processing times.

Parent Visa Cost – Which Option Is Better?

There is no single Parent visa that is best for every family.

Your choice may depend on:

• Your age
• Your Australian child's status
• Number and location of your children
• Balance of family test
• Whether you need permanent residence
• Your financial circumstances
• Your ability to meet Assurance of Support requirements
• Whether you can afford the contributory pathway
• How quickly you want a potential permanent pathway
• Whether you qualify for subclass 870

A lower application fee does not necessarily mean the visa is the most suitable option.

Current Parent Visa Cost Disclaimer

Visa application charges change periodically.

The amount payable depends on the visa subclass, date of lodgement, number of applicants and other circumstances.

The Department of Home Affairs states that the visa cost depends on the date the application is received and that prices can change. Applicants should use the Department's current Visa Pricing Estimator before making payment.

For this reason, we recommend not relying on old fee figures published on third-party websites.

How to Check the Current Parent Visa Fee

Before lodging your application:

Step 1

Identify the Parent visa subclass you are applying for.

Step 2

Check whether additional applicants are included.

Step 3

Check whether the visa has a second Visa Application Charge.

Step 4

Check Assurance of Support requirements.

Step 5

Use the current Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

Step 6

Add other expected costs such as medical examinations, police certificates, translations and professional fees.

The Department provides a current pricing table and Visa Pricing Estimator on its official website.

Parent Visa Cost – Quick Summary

Get Professional Parent Visa Cost Advice

Choosing a Parent visa based only on the initial government fee can be misleading.

At The Visa and Education Services Pty Ltd, we can assess your circumstances and help you compare the available Parent visa pathways.

We Can Help With:

✔ Parent visa eligibility assessment
✔ Parent visa cost comparison
✔ Subclass 103 assessment
✔ Subclass 143 assessment
✔ Subclass 173 → 143 pathway
✔ Subclass 804 assessment
✔ Subclass 864 assessment
✔ Subclass 884 → 864 pathway
✔ Subclass 870 assessment
✔ Balance of family test assessment
✔ Sponsorship requirements
✔ Assurance of Support guidance
✔ Application and document preparation

Speak With a Registered Migration Agent

Navneet Kaur – Registered Migration Agent
MARN: 2318181

Parent visa costs can be substantial, particularly for contributory visas. Before lodging an application, obtain advice about the total cost, eligibility and likely processing pathway rather than comparing only the initial visa fee.

Get Personalised Parent Visa Advice

Understand your Parent visa options, government charges and other expected costs before making your application.