Tag: contributory parent visa

Father with daughters in Australia using the subclass 870 while waiting for their subclass 143 to be granted

Can Your Parent Be on an 870 While Waiting for the Subclass 143?

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

Yes, your parent can hold a Subclass 870 while a Subclass 143 application is pending in the queue. The two visas are compatible, and combining them is the most common parent visa strategy I see in practice. But it requires careful planning to make it work across a 12-to-15-year wait.

Can your parent be on an 870 while waiting for the subclass 143?

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that holding an 870 does not affect or jeopardise a pending Subclass 143 application. Your parent can be an 870 holder at the same time as being an applicant or intending applicant for the 143. There is no conflict between the two.

This matters because the 143 queue, as of March 2026, is processing applications lodged in November 2018. A new application lodged today faces a realistic wait of 12 to 15 years before the Department invites the applicant to pay the second instalment and complete the assessment. Without a solution in the interim, many parents would simply not be able to spend meaningful time in Australia during that window.

How the 870-as-bridge strategy works

The strategy is straightforward: lodge the 143 application to secure a place in the queue, then apply for the 870 separately to give the parent a legal basis to live in Australia while the 143 works its way through.

The parent can be outside Australia when the 143 is lodged. From 22 April 2026, permanent parent visas are lodged online via ImmiAccount, which makes the process simpler. Once the 143 application is in the queue, the family can then initiate the 870 sponsor application.

Timeline: when to apply for the 870

The 870 process is a two-step sequence. The Australian-based child (the sponsor) applies first, and the parent cannot apply until that sponsor approval is granted. Once the sponsor is approved, the parent has six months to lodge their own 870 application.

Processing of the parent’s 870 application typically takes around seven months. Families should factor this in when planning: if the parent wants to be in Australia for a specific occasion or needs to arrive by a particular date, the 870 application needs to be running well before that.

There is no requirement to lodge the 143 and the 870 simultaneously. Many families lodge the 143 first, then start the 870 process. Others get the 870 underway first so the parent can arrive while the 143 is being lodged. Either sequence is workable.

How many years can the 870 cover?

The 870 has a maximum total stay of 10 years across all grants combined. Grants come in three-year or five-year increments. So in theory, a parent could use the 870 for up to 10 years before it is exhausted.

For a family that lodged the 143 in 2020 or 2021 and is now looking at a remaining wait of roughly eight to ten years, the 870 can credibly bridge most or all of the remaining queue time. For a family lodging the 143 now, the 870 can cover the first decade of the wait, after which another arrangement will be needed if the 143 has not yet been granted.

Key considerations before committing to this strategy

Health insurance costs over the waiting period

The 870 does not include Medicare. Private health insurance covering hospital treatment is a mandatory visa condition and must be maintained for the entire stay. This is not a minor cost item.

For a parent in their late 60s or 70s, hospital-grade private health insurance can cost $4,000 to $8,000 per year or more depending on the insurer, the level of cover, and any pre-existing conditions. Over a five-year 870 period, that is $20,000 to $40,000 in insurance premiums alone. Over a 10-year run using two grants, the figure can exceed $50,000 to $70,000 for a single parent.

This cost needs to be weighed against the alternative: having the parent remain overseas or use visitor visas, which have their own costs and limitations.

The 10-year total cap on the 870

The 10-year cap is absolute and non-negotiable. Once a parent has used 10 years of 870 stay, that is the end of their 870 eligibility, regardless of whether the 143 has been granted. There is no exemption and no ministerial discretion to extend beyond 10 years.

This creates a real planning challenge for families lodging a fresh 143 today. If the 143 takes 13 to 15 years to process, the 870 will run out several years before the 143 is granted. Families need to think about what happens in the gap, which might mean the parent is on visitor visas for a period, or has returned home while waiting.

Potential risks of this strategy

The main risks to keep in mind:

  • Health complications at renewal. Each 870 renewal involves a new health examination. If the parent’s health has deteriorated significantly, meeting the health requirement for renewal may become difficult. This can strand a parent mid-strategy.
  • Sponsor income changes. The sponsor must re-qualify at each renewal. If the sponsor’s financial circumstances change and they no longer meet the $83,454.80 income threshold (or cannot combine with a partner to reach it), renewal is at risk.
  • Policy risk. The 870 is a government creation and can be modified or discontinued by policy change. This is a risk with any temporary visa arrangement.
  • The 10-year gap. As described above, for new 143 applicants, the 870 runs out before the 143 is likely to be granted. Families need a plan for that gap period.
  • Second instalment cost. When the 143 eventually reaches the second stage, the family will need to pay the second instalment of approximately $43,600. Families should be saving for this throughout the waiting period.

When this strategy makes sense

The 870-plus-143 combination makes strong sense when:

  • The parent genuinely wants to spend most of their time in Australia, not just visit occasionally.
  • The sponsor comfortably meets the income threshold and is likely to continue doing so.
  • The family has already lodged the 143 (or is planning to) and wants the parent in Australia during the wait.
  • The parent’s health is currently reasonable and the health examination is not expected to be a barrier.
  • The family has factored in the health insurance costs and can sustain them over the visa period.
  • The parent does not need to work and does not rely on Medicare.

It makes less sense when the parent has significant health conditions that may make renewal difficult, when the sponsor’s income is borderline, or when the family cannot sustain the ongoing health insurance cost.

Frequently asked questions

Does lodging the 143 affect the parent’s eligibility for the 870?

No. Being an applicant or intending applicant for the Subclass 143 does not disqualify the parent from applying for or holding the 870. The two visa streams are independent of each other.

When the 143 is eventually granted, what happens to the 870?

When the 143 is granted, the parent becomes a permanent resident and the 870 ceases. The parent does not need to take any particular action to cancel the 870; the grant of the permanent visa effectively supersedes it. The parent should not continue to hold themselves out as an 870 holder after the 143 grant.

Can two parents both be on the 870 at the same time with the same sponsor?

A sponsor can have up to two parents or step-parents sponsored on the 870 at any one time. So yes, both parents can hold the 870 simultaneously if they are both parents of the same sponsor and the sponsor meets the income requirement. The annual grant cap of 15,000 applies across all 870 applications, not per sponsor.

What if the parent needs to leave Australia for an extended period while on the 870?

The 870 permits travel in and out of Australia freely. There is no minimum presence requirement. If the parent leaves Australia for an extended period, the time outside Australia does not count toward the 10-year cap, which is calculated based on time spent in Australia. However, they must maintain valid health insurance for any periods they are in Australia.

Want to work out the right strategy for your family?

The 870-plus-143 combination is the most common strategy I put together for clients, but the details matter: timing, income, health, costs. I am Andrew Heathcote, registered migration agent MARN 0850840, and I have helped dozens of families build and execute this approach.

Talk to me about your parents’ situation

Grandparents spending quality time with their granddaughter after a successful Australian parent visa application

How Much Does an Australian Parent Visa Cost? (Complete 2026 Guide)

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

Parent visa costs in Australia are genuinely confusing, and the government fee schedule doesn’t make it easy. You’ve got two-instalment systems, bonds that tie up cash for a decade, mandatory insurance, and visa options that look cheap until you do the maths. This guide breaks it all down clearly so you can budget properly before you commit.

How much does a parent visa cost in Australia?

The short answer: anywhere from a few thousand dollars for a temporary arrangement to nearly $100,000 for two parents on a permanent contributory visa. The type of visa, the number of applicants, and how long the process takes all affect the final figure. Here’s the landscape at a glance.

Government fees at a glance

Visa Type Subclass Government Fee (per person) Approximate Wait
Contributory Parent (Permanent) 143 ~$48,640 (paid in two instalments) ~8 years from today
Parent (Permanent, Non-Contributory) 103 ~$7,345 30+ years
Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) 864 ~$48,640 Similar to 143
Aged Parent (Permanent, Non-Contributory) 804 ~$7,345 30+ years
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) 870 ~$1,145 (3 yr) or ~$1,730 (5 yr) ~7 months

These are government application charges only. Add medical exams, police checks, health insurance, and professional fees and the real cost is higher. More on that below.

The two-instalment system explained

The Contributory Parent visas (143 and 864) use a two-instalment fee structure. You pay the first instalment when you lodge the application. You pay the second, much larger, instalment when the Department of Home Affairs invites you to do so, shortly before the visa is granted. This can be years apart. It is not a payment plan in the conventional sense: it is two separate legal obligations at two separate points in the process.

The practical effect is that you lodge with a manageable upfront cost, then face a very large bill when grant is imminent. Families who have not planned for the second instalment sometimes scramble when the invitation arrives. Don’t be one of them.

Contributory Parent Visa 143 costs

The Subclass 143 is the most popular pathway to permanent residence for parents. It costs significantly more than the non-contributory option, but the queue is manageable rather than generational.

First instalment: the lodgement fee

The first instalment for the primary applicant is approximately $5,040. A secondary applicant (the other parent, if applying jointly) pays approximately $2,535. These fees are paid at the time of lodgement and are non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn after assessment begins.

Note: from 22 April 2026, all permanent parent visa applications must be lodged online through ImmiAccount. Paper lodgements are no longer accepted. If you are planning to apply soon, make sure you understand what the April 2026 online lodgement changes mean for your case.

Second instalment: the contributory charge

This is the big one. The second instalment for each applicant is approximately $43,600. For two parents applying together, that is roughly $87,200 payable when the Department invites you to pay before visa grant. Combined with the first instalment, the total government fee per person is approximately $48,640, or around $97,000 for a couple.

The second instalment payment invitation typically arrives with limited notice. Have funds accessible and be ready to move quickly when it comes.

Assurance of Support bond

On top of the visa fees, most 143 applicants are required to lodge an Assurance of Support (AoS) bond with the Department of Social Services. The bond for a single adult applicant is $10,000. For two adults applying together, it is $14,000. This money is held by the government for 10 years from the date of visa grant. It is not a fee: you get it back after the holding period, provided it has not been called upon to recover welfare costs.

Non-Contributory Parent Visa 103 costs

The Subclass 103 has a government application fee of approximately $7,345 per person. For two parents, that is around $14,690 total. On the surface, it is a fraction of the 143 cost.

Why it looks cheaper but isn’t always

The 103 is allocated from the non-contributory pool, which receives just 1,250 places per year across all parent categories. The queue is enormous. As of early 2026, the Department is processing 103 applications lodged around July 2013. Applications lodged today face a wait of more than 30 years before grant.

The lower fee looks attractive. But you are paying $7,345 now for a visa your parent may not receive in their lifetime. In most cases, the 103 only makes practical sense for younger parents, or as a secondary strategy alongside a temporary option like the 870.

The real cost of waiting 30+ years

Consider what a 30-year wait actually costs in practical terms. Your parent needs to either leave Australia and return only on visitor visas, or stay on a temporary arrangement that requires ongoing fees and private health insurance. Over 30 years, the cost of temporary bridging arrangements can easily exceed the 143’s second instalment. The 103 “savings” can be largely or entirely illusory depending on your family’s circumstances.

Sponsored Parent Visa 870 costs

The Subclass 870 is the government’s temporary solution for families waiting on a permanent visa. It is processed in approximately 7 months and gives parents up to 10 years in Australia across multiple grants. It does not lead to permanent residence on its own, but it buys time while a permanent application works through the queue.

Application fee

The 870 visa fees are considerably lower than the permanent options. A 3-year grant costs approximately $1,145 per applicant. A 5-year grant costs approximately $1,730. Most families opt for the 5-year grant given the marginal cost difference. The sponsor (the Australian child) also pays a sponsorship application fee of approximately $420.

There are 15,000 places available per year across the 870 program. This cap has been a limiting factor in some years, so applying early in the program year is worth considering.

Ongoing costs: mandatory health insurance

This is where the 870 gets expensive over time. The visa requires the parent to hold Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for the entire period of their stay. There is no Medicare access on the 870. A basic OVHC policy for an older parent can run $3,000 to $6,000 or more per year depending on age and coverage level. Over a 5-year visa, that is $15,000 to $30,000 in insurance premiums alone. Factor this in when comparing 870 costs against permanent visa costs.

Aged parent visa costs (804 and 864)

The aged parent visas are structurally similar to their standard parent equivalents, but they are available to parents who are of pension age in Australia and who meet the balance of family test.

The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (864) carries the same fee structure as the 143: approximately $48,640 per person, paid across two instalments. The Assurance of Support bond also applies at the same amounts.

The Aged Parent Visa (804) carries the same fee as the 103: approximately $7,345 per person. It faces the same 30+ year queue. The 864 is generally the more practical option for aged parents who can absorb the cost, particularly because the aged parent pathway allows onshore lodgement.

Hidden costs every family misses

Government fees are just the start. These additional costs catch families off guard more often than they should.

Medical exams and police checks

All parent visa applicants are required to undergo a medical examination conducted by a Department-approved panel physician. Budget approximately $300 to $500 per person for the initial medical. If a follow-up or specialist review is required, costs can increase substantially.

Police clearance certificates are required from every country where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Australian Federal Police checks cost around $42 online. Overseas police checks vary widely: some are free, others can cost $100 to $200 and take weeks to obtain. If translation is required, add a further $80 to $150 per document.

Private health insurance (when required)

As noted above, 870 holders must hold OVHC throughout their stay. Some 143 and 864 applicants may also be asked to take out health insurance before the second instalment is paid, depending on individual health assessments. Both 143 and 864 holders do get Medicare access upon visa grant, which is a significant benefit over the 870.

Migration agent fees

You are not legally required to use a registered migration agent, but parent visa applications are complex documents with long holding periods and significant financial consequences if something goes wrong. Professional fees vary depending on the complexity of the case and the agent. For a straightforward 143 or 864, expect to pay between $3,000 and $6,000 in professional fees for a competent registered agent. Cases involving health waivers, character issues, or complex family structures cost more. Get a clear scope of work in writing before you engage anyone.

Total real-world cost: what two parents actually cost

Here is what two parents on the most common pathways typically cost from lodgement through to visa grant:

Cost Item Subclass 143 (Two Parents) Subclass 870 x2 (5-Year)
Government visa fees ~$97,000 ~$3,460
Assurance of Support bond (returned after 10 years) ~$14,000 Not required
Medical exams (both parents) ~$800 ~$800
Police checks ~$200 ~$200
Health insurance (5-year estimate) Medicare after grant (nominal pre-grant only) ~$25,000 to $50,000+
Migration agent fees ~$4,000 to $8,000 ~$2,000 to $4,000
Estimated total (excl. refundable bond) ~$102,000 to $106,000 ~$31,000 to $58,000 over 5 years

The 870 looks cheaper over 5 years. But over 10 years of temporary stay while waiting for a permanent visa, the insurance costs alone can approach or exceed the 143’s second instalment. The 143 delivers permanent residence, Medicare, and eventually citizenship eligibility. The 870 delivers none of those. The right choice depends on your family’s financial position, your parent’s age and health, and how important permanent residence is.

Frequently asked questions

Are parent visa fees refundable if the visa is refused?

Generally, no. Once the Department begins assessing an application, the visa application charge is not refunded if the visa is refused or the application is withdrawn. There are very limited exceptions. The second instalment for contributory visas is not paid until grant is imminent, so refund risk is largely limited to the first instalment.

Do visa fees increase each year?

Yes. The Department of Home Affairs typically reviews and adjusts visa application charges annually on 1 July. Fees have increased consistently over recent years. Do not rely on fee figures from previous years when planning. Check the current amounts on the ImmiAccount fee estimator before lodging.

Does the Assurance of Support bond earn interest?

No. The bond is held in a Commonwealth Bank account and does not earn interest for the depositor. The $10,000 or $14,000 you deposit is the exact amount returned to you after 10 years, with no adjustment for inflation or interest.

Can the visa fees be paid in instalments beyond the two-instalment structure?

No. Each instalment is a single payment due in full at the relevant point in the process. There is no government-administered payment plan. Some families use personal loans or family lending arrangements to fund the second instalment, which is worth planning for well in advance.

Is there any way to reduce the cost of a parent visa?

The government fees are fixed and non-negotiable. You can reduce ancillary costs by using an efficient migration agent, obtaining police checks promptly, and preparing documents properly the first time. Choosing the right visa subclass for your family’s situation matters too: choosing wrongly can mean years of avoidable temporary costs.

Get clear advice on your family’s options

Parent visa costs add up fast and the decisions you make early have long-term financial consequences. I’m Andrew Heathcote, a registered migration agent (MARN 0850840) based in Brisbane with more than 15 years working specifically on parent visas. I can help you understand which pathway makes sense for your family, what you will actually pay, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost families thousands.

Contact me for a consultation and let’s go through your options properly.