Due to the rising number of Australians with parents who reside overseas, Australian Parent visas are in great demand; however, the processing timeframes for these visas can be lengthy. Depending on whether applicants select to pursue either a contributory visa or a non-contributory visa, applicants can expect differing processing times ranging from a few years up to three decades. For many applicants, these lengthy processing timeframes can be a major challenge; they can significantly impact applicants, including separation from family members and the uncertainty of visa approval. This article details up-to-date information on processing timeframes and visa grants, as well as various factors and options to consider for an applicant’s visa strategy.
The Latest Statistics
According to the Department of Home Affairs, processing times for Contributory Parent, Parent, Contributory Aged Parent and Aged Parent visa applications are not provided. Applications for these visas are subject to capping and queueing. A cap is an upper limit of places available for a visa, and when the number of visas has been reached, no more will be granted. You are then placed in a queue after the cap is reached. All queue places are ordered by date, and this cant be changed.
A queue date is a date that your application meets all requirements, and one needs to understand that this is not your date of lodgement.
The Department of Home Affairs estimates new Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143 and 864) applications lodged that meet the criteria to be queued are likely to take at least 12 years to be released for final processing.
New Parent (Subclass 103) and Aged Parent (subclass 804) visa applications lodged that meet the criteria to be queued are likely to take at least 29 years for final processing.
These lengthy processing times can certainly be a challenge for applicants, who may face separation from their loved ones for an extended period.
As of 31 December 2022, the Department of Home Affairs has released for final processing:
- Contributory Parent visa applications with a queue date up to March 2017
- Parent visa applications with a queue date up to August 2011
- Aged Parent visa applications with a queue date up to December 2012.
The Australian Governments Migration Program planning levels for 2022-23 have increased to a total of 8500 places. Compared to the number of existing applications on hand, these numbers show the wait times ahead. As of 31 October 2022, the following numbers of visas were on hand at the Department of Home Affairs:
- 34,733 Subclass 103 Parent Visa applications
- 15,208 Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visas,
- 70,153 Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visas
- 7,090 Subclass 864 Contributory Aged parent visas
Choosing the Right Visa Stream and Category
Contributory and non-contributory are the two visa streams available to applicants seeking an Australian Parent Visa. These in turn can be broken into onshore versus offshore subclass. The Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143) and the Non-Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 103) are permanent residency visas that can be lodged whilst the applicant offshore.
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) and the Non-Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804) require the applicant to be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia. On the 1 July 2023 the pension age changes to 67 years.
The main distinction between the contributory versus non-contributory streams is the payment that the applicant is obliged to make towards the cost of their Visa. This helps cover the costs of their healthcare while in Australia.
The Subclass 103 and 804 Parent and Aged Parent Visa, which has cheaper costs but a lengthier processing timeframe, is a part of the non-contributory visa stream. The Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa and the Subclass 864 Aged Contributory Parent Visa from the contributory visa stream have higher costs but quicker processing timeframes.
On the other hand, non-contributory visa applicants must wait longer for their visas but do not have to make a large second payment.
With the longer processing times, the strategy an applicant may choose to follow may be influenced by factors such as age, life expectancy, financial resources, and location.
Is a Contributory Parent Visa Worth Applying For?
An individual’s situation and priorities will influence their decision to submit an application for a Contributory Parent Visa or Aged Contributory Parent Visa. The second visa application charge for these Contributory Aged Parent visas is $43600. While the cost of applying for a Contributory Parent Visa is significantly more than a Non-Contributory Parent Visa, it historically offered quicker processing times. This was a significant benefit for those looking to bring their parents to Australia as soon as possible. It’s essential to consider the financial implications of this Visa. For many, the non-contributory visa stream could be a better choice.
Applying for a 103 Visa as an Alternative Strategy
Historically the Subclass 103 Parent Visa was one of the least favoured Parent visas with most applicants adopting the more costly Contributory parent visa. With the processing times Contributory Parent visa no longer a major advantage the Subclass 103 may again be a subclass worth considering.
Although this visa subclass does come with the downside of much longer processing times, taking between 25-30 years to be approved.
A major and often overlooked advantage of applying for a 103 is that you will not lose your place in the queue if you, at a later stage, decide to convert and lodge an onshore Aged Parent visa or Aged Contributory Parent should you so choose.
For example, you would look to convert from subclass 103 to subclass 864 because a Bridging visa is available during the wait time of the Subclass 864, but you will receive credit for the time already spent in the queue.
Overall, it’s essential to carefully weigh up all of the options before deciding which is the most appropriate visa stream and category for your unique situation. That’s where MigrationBuro can help. The expert team of accredited migration agents at MigrationBuro specialise in Australian visas, specifically parent visas. We help our clients navigate the complexities of the Australian visa system and thoroughly understand visa application processes from beginning to end. We offer qualified and knowledgeable guidance to ensure each client’s parent visa application is managed professionally. To schedule a consultation, get in touch with the MigrationBuro team today!
Parent Visa Types
