Parent Visas
Parents of the settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen can apply for a parent visa. There are two types of parent visas, Contributory Parent visa is expensive to apply but it processes faster than normal parent visas.
Duration and Conditions
All permanent parent visas have the right to remain in Australia indefinitely, but a travel validity of 5years from the grant. The Contributory Parent (temporary) visas are valid for 2 years, during which time the applicant must lodge a permanent Contributory Parent visa application.
Visa Criteria
The main criteria are as follows:
1. The Parent must be sponsored by a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Generally, the “settled” means the children must lawfully reside in Australia for 2 years, though a shorter time may be acceptable for Australian Citizens.
2. The Parents must passes the “balance of family test”. That is, the number of children who are lawfully and permanently resident in Australia must be:
- Greater than, or equal to, the total number of children who are resident overseas.
- Greater than the greatest number of children who are resident in any single overseas country.
3. An assurance of support may ask for all kinds of Parent visas.
Standard Parent Category
This is more affordable category of Parent visa because these visas are subject to capping, visa processing considered to be very slow. Also, limited number of visas get approved per financial year.
Contributory Parent Visa
Contributory Parent Visa required high second VAC fees. After getting permanent residency, parents shall be eligible for Medicare and other services if eligible. Parents can apply for a two-year temporary contribution and permanently contribute parent visa. Temporary visa holders need to apply for a permanent contributory parent visa within the 2-year validity of the visa.
Can I be in Australian when I apply?
Parent visa can apply within Australia, however, it is only possible to lodge an onshore Aged Parent or Aged Contributory Parent visa and obtain a bridging visa to remain in Australia during processing if at least one of the applicants meets the age requirements as set for an Australian pension, as follows:
a person was born
From 1 January 1954 to
30 June 1955
From 1 July 1955 to 31 December 1956
From 1 January 1957 onwards
Pension Age
66 years
66 years
67 years
Date pension age changes
1 July 2019
1 July 2021
1 July 2023