If you are planning to bring a parent to Australia, the cost of doing so rose on 1 July 2026. The Department of Home Affairs lifted its visa application charges across almost every visa, and the parent program was part of that increase. Here is what actually changed, and what it means before you lodge.
The increase is on the first instalment, not the contribution
The rise applies to the first instalment, the charge you pay when you lodge. Across the parent program this went up by about 25 per cent.
The much larger second instalment, the contribution that contributory parent applicants pay before the visa is granted, did not change. That distinction matters, because for a contributory visa the second instalment is where most of the money sits.
Here are the new first instalments for a main applicant, current as at 1 July 2026, with the second instalment payable before grant.
| Visa |
First instalment (was) |
First instalment (now) |
Second instalment before grant |
| Parent (subclass 103) |
$5,280 |
$6,600 |
$2,065 |
| Aged Parent (subclass 804) |
$5,280 |
$6,600 |
$2,065 |
| Contributory Parent (subclass 143) |
$5,040 |
$6,300 |
$43,600 |
| Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) |
$5,040 |
$6,300 |
$43,600 |
| Contributory Parent Temporary (subclass 173) |
$3,395 |
$4,245 |
applied toward the 143 |
| Sponsored Parent Temporary (subclass 870) |
$1,215 |
$1,515 |
up to $10,925 |
These charges are per person. A second adult applicant pays a further additional applicant charge on top.
The contributory reality
For a contributory parent visa, 143 or 864, the headline cost is still the second instalment of $43,600 per adult. That amount did not move on 1 July, but it remains the single largest charge in the parent program. For a couple applying together, that is about $87,200 in second instalments alone, before you add the first instalment, the Assurance of Support bond and any professional fees.
The Assurance of Support also sits on top. For contributory parents this is a refundable bond lodged with the government, currently around $10,000 for the main applicant, held for ten years.
The lower-cost pathways
The non-contributory Parent (103) and Aged Parent (804) visas are far cheaper, with a second instalment of just $2,065. The trade-off is the queue. These visas have processing times measured in decades, so for most families they are a long-term hold rather than a practical route to reunion.
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (870) is not permanent residence. It lets a parent stay for up to five years at a time. Its first instalment rose only modestly to $1,515, though a second instalment of up to $10,925 applies before grant depending on the length of stay.
What it means for you
If your parent’s application is not yet lodged, the higher first instalment now applies. That is a reason to plan the budget properly, not to rush a half-ready application in. A refused or invalid parent visa application is an expensive mistake given the charges involved.
Before you commit, confirm the exact charge for your situation using the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator, and factor in the second instalment, the Assurance of Support bond, health checks and police clearances. Our 143 vs 103 comparison sets out how the pathways differ on cost and wait.
At MigrationBuro we help families weigh the contributory and non-contributory pathways against cost, timing and each parent’s circumstances. If you are thinking about bringing a parent to Australia, talk to us before you lodge.
This article is general information only and is current as at 1 July 2026. Visa charges change, and your circumstances can affect the amount payable. It is not migration or legal advice. For advice on your own situation, contact a registered migration agent.
Parent Visa Types
