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Older parents with their adult daughter in Australia, weighing the subclass 870 and 143 parent visa options

Parent Visa 870 vs 143: Choosing the Right Path for Your Parents

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

Two visa options come up in almost every parent visa conversation: the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa and the Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa. They serve different purposes, operate on completely different timelines, and suit different family situations. Understanding the distinction is the foundation of any sensible parent visa strategy.

870 vs 143: two very different solutions

The 870 is a temporary visa. It gets your parent to Australia quickly, on a renewable basis, for up to 10 years total. It does not lead to permanent residence. The 143 is a permanent visa. It takes years to process but results in permanent residency with full rights, including Medicare.

Many families treat these as an either/or choice, when in reality they work best together. Lodge the 143 to lock in your queue position, and use the 870 as a bridge while you wait. That combined approach is the most effective parent visa strategy for most families in 2026.

Key differences at a glance

Feature Subclass 870 Subclass 143
Permanency Temporary (up to 10 years total) Permanent residence
Processing time ~7 months 6 to 8 years (queue-based)
Cost (per person) ~$5,000 to $10,000 (across multiple grants) ~$48,640 total (two instalments)
Medicare No Yes (on arrival after grant)
Work rights No Yes (full work rights after grant)
Balance of family test Not required Required (cannot be waived)
Annual cap 15,000 per year ~7,250 per year (contributory)
Pathway to PR No direct pathway Is the permanent residence

Permanency: the biggest difference

143 leads to permanent residency

The Subclass 143 is a permanent visa. Once granted, your parent is a permanent resident of Australia. They can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. They can enrol in Medicare on arrival. They can access Australian government benefits after a waiting period. After four years as a permanent resident, they can apply for Australian citizenship.

Permanent residency also provides a stable, long-term foundation for family life. Your parent is not on a countdown clock. They are not subject to renewal processes, annual caps, or income thresholds once the visa is granted. It is, simply put, the goal for most families.

870 is temporary with no direct PR pathway

The 870 is explicitly a temporary visa. It does not lead to permanent residence. There is no provision in the 870 visa conditions to transition directly to permanent residency based on holding the 870. After 10 years of total stay, a parent who has exhausted their 870 entitlement must leave Australia unless they hold or can be granted another visa.

This is not a criticism of the 870. It was designed as a temporary solution, and it delivers on that purpose very effectively. But families who assume the 870 will “convert” to permanent residence at some point are operating on a misunderstanding. If permanent residence is the goal, the 143 (or another permanent parent visa) must be part of the strategy.

Processing time comparison

The 870 processes in approximately seven months under current conditions. The sponsor approval step takes two to four months, and the parent application itself takes around seven months from lodgement assuming the sponsor is already approved.

The 143 operates on a queue system. As of March 2026, the department is processing 143 applications with a queue date of November 2018. A new lodgement today would carry a queue date of mid-2026, putting the likely grant date in the 2031 to 2034 range at current programme settings. That is the reality, and there is no mechanism to pay your way to the front of the queue.

The processing time contrast is the reason the 870 exists. The government created it specifically to address the reality that permanent parent visas take many years, and families wanted a legal, structured way to have parents present in Australia during that wait.

Cost comparison

870 costs

The 870 is granted in tranches of three years or five years. The five-year grant costs more than the three-year grant. Across multiple grants to reach the 10-year maximum, total visa fees in the range of $5,000 to $10,000 per person are typical, depending on the combination of grant lengths chosen. There is also the sponsor application fee to factor in.

The income requirement for sponsors is $83,454.80 per year. If a sponsor’s individual income is below this threshold, they can combine with a partner’s income to meet it. This is an ongoing eligibility consideration for each renewal, not just at initial application.

The 870 does not require an Assurance of Support bond. It does require your parent to hold adequate private health insurance throughout their stay, which is a mandatory visa condition, not optional. For elderly parents, this is a significant ongoing cost that should be factored into any comparison with the 143.

143 costs

The 143 has a first instalment of approximately $5,040 per person at lodgement, and a second instalment of approximately $43,600 per person when the department invites you to finalise the application. The total is approximately $48,640 per person. For two parents, that is approximately $97,280 in visa application charges.

On top of that: health examinations, police clearances for all countries of residence, professional fees, and the Assurance of Support bond of $10,000 for one adult or $14,000 for two. The bond is held by Centrelink for 10 years and then released. It is not a fee but it is cash that is locked up.

The second instalment is also likely to be higher in dollar terms when it falls due in six to eight years, as visa fees are indexed periodically. Budget conservatively.

Health insurance and Medicare

This is one of the starkest practical differences between the two visas.

The 870 requires your parent to hold adequate private health insurance throughout their stay. This is a visa condition: breach it and your parent is in violation of their visa. For elderly parents, the cost of appropriate private health insurance can be very high, particularly as they age. Hospital cover with appropriate limits needs to reflect the likely healthcare needs of the parent involved. Budget this cost carefully.

The 143, once granted, entitles your parent to Medicare from the day they arrive in Australia as a permanent resident. Medicare covers GP visits, specialist consultations with a referral, public hospital treatment, and subsidised medications through the PBS. For most families, Medicare access is one of the most financially significant features of the permanent visa, and it is the single biggest healthcare cost advantage the 143 has over the 870.

During the 143 queue wait, if your parent is in Australia on a bridging visa or a visitor visa, they do not have Medicare access. Practically speaking, you would need to arrange private health cover during that period regardless of which visa strategy you are pursuing.

Work rights and government benefits

The 870 does not include work rights. Your parent cannot take paid employment in Australia on this visa, including part-time or casual work. They also cannot access Australian government benefits such as Centrelink payments.

The 143, once granted, carries full work rights. Your parent can work in any occupation. They also gain access to government benefits after the standard Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period, which is currently four years for most payments. After that waiting period, your parent may be eligible for the Age Pension and other income support payments, subject to the usual eligibility criteria.

The 870-while-waiting strategy

How to use the 870 as a bridge

The most effective use of the 870 for most families is as a bridging visa while the 143 works through the queue. Here is how it works in practice:

  1. Lodge the 143 application and pay the first instalment. This locks in your queue date immediately.
  2. Separately, lodge the sponsorship application for the 870 and then the parent’s 870 application.
  3. The 870 is granted in approximately seven months, allowing your parent to be in Australia within the year.
  4. Your parent lives in Australia on the 870 while the 143 processes through the queue.
  5. When the 143 queue date is reached and Stage 2 is invited, pay the second instalment and finalise.
  6. The 143 is granted. Your parent is now a permanent resident and enrolls in Medicare.

This approach means your parent is in Australia during the years-long 143 queue wait, rather than sitting overseas. It is the most common strategic combination for families who can afford the 143 fees.

Important timing considerations

A few practical points on running both applications together:

  • The 143 and 870 are completely independent applications. One does not affect the other’s processing or outcome.
  • Lodging the 870 does not reset or affect your 143 queue date.
  • The 870 has an annual cap of 15,000 grants per year. Lodge it early in the financial year if possible to reduce cap risk.
  • When the 143 Stage 2 invitation arrives, your parent can be onshore in Australia on the 870. That is a perfectly valid situation and common in practice.
  • Once the 143 is granted, the 870 ceases to have effect. Your parent moves to their permanent visa.

Which one is right for your family?

If permanent residence is your goal and your family can manage the costs and the timeline, the 143 is the right answer. Lodge it now to lock in your queue date. The longer you wait to lodge, the further back in the queue you will be.

If your parents need to be in Australia sooner, or if the 143 costs are not feasible right now, the 870 is a practical and well-structured option. Used alone, it provides up to 10 years of Australian residence. Used alongside the 143, it provides your parents with an Australian life while you work towards permanent residence.

The balance of family test is also a relevant factor. The 870 does not require your parent to pass the balance of family test, which requires at least half of their children to be usually resident in Australia. If your family structure means you cannot satisfy this test, the 870 may be your only viable pathway. The 143 requires it without exception.

Frequently asked questions

Can my parent apply for the 870 if a 143 application is already lodged?

Yes. The 870 and 143 can run simultaneously. Many families lodge both. The 143 lodgement does not prevent the 870 application, and holding an 870 does not affect the 143 queue position. Running both is the standard “bridge and permanent” strategy.

Does the 870 count towards the 143 processing time in any way?

No. The 870 is an entirely separate visa. Time spent on the 870 does not shorten the 143 queue wait. The only thing that moves your 143 queue date is the department working through applications ahead of yours under the annual programme allocation.

My parent does not meet the balance of family test. Is the 870 their only option?

For permanent visas, yes: the balance of family test applies to both the 143 and the 103, and it cannot be waived. If your parent genuinely cannot satisfy the test, a permanent parent visa is not available to them. The 870 does not have this requirement, making it the most accessible option for parents whose children are dispersed across multiple countries.

What happens to my parent’s 870 when the 143 is granted?

When the 143 is granted, it operates as the substantive visa. The 870 ceases to apply, and your parent’s rights and obligations are governed by the 143 conditions from that point. They enrol in Medicare, they have full work rights, and the 10-year clock on 870 stay is no longer relevant.

Can I sponsor my parent for the 870 if my income is below the threshold?

The income threshold for 870 sponsors is $83,454.80 per year. If your individual income is below this, you can include your partner’s income to meet the threshold as a combined household income. If you genuinely cannot meet the threshold even with combined income, you cannot sponsor a parent for the 870 unless your circumstances change. This is a firm eligibility requirement, not a guideline.

Build the right strategy for your parents

The 870 vs 143 decision is rarely straightforward. Costs, timelines, health circumstances, the balance of family test, and income eligibility all interact. Getting the combination right before you lodge anything saves considerable time, money, and stress.

Andrew Heathcote, MARN 0850840, has spent over 15 years helping Australian families bring their parents home, with a specific focus on parent visa strategy. Contact us at parentvisas.com.au/contact for practical, experience-based advice on your family’s situation.

An older father in Australia during the long wait for his Contributory Parent Visa subclass 143 to be processed

Contributory Parent Visa 143 Processing Time: What to Expect in 2026

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

The Subclass 143 is the most commonly lodged permanent parent visa in Australia, and the question I get asked most often is: how long will it take? The honest answer is that it takes years, not months. But understanding exactly why, and what stage the queue is at right now, helps you plan rather than just wait.

How long does the subclass 143 take in 2026?

The Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa currently takes approximately six to eight years from lodgement to grant, based on where the queue sits as of early 2026. That estimate will vary depending on how the annual programme allocation changes over coming years and how quickly the department works through the current backlog.

This is not a processing delay in the conventional sense, such as a case stuck on someone’s desk. It is a structural queue. The government allocates a fixed number of parent visa places each year, and there are far more applicants than places. The result is a multi-year wait that is baked into the system.

New applicants lodging a 143 today should plan for a grant somewhere around 2031 to 2033 at current rates. That timeline could improve if the government increases the annual allocation, or it could extend further if lodgement volumes rise or the allocation is cut.

The two-stage process explained

The 143 has a two-stage fee structure, and understanding it is critical to understanding the timeline.

Stage 1: lodgement and queueing

When you lodge the application and pay the first instalment of approximately $5,040 per person, your queue date is set. That is the date that determines your position in the line. From this point, your application sits in the queue. There is no active casework happening during this period; you are simply waiting for the department to work through the applications ahead of yours.

All permanent parent visa applications have been lodged online via ImmiAccount since 22 April 2026. Read the April 2026 online lodgement changes if you are preparing to lodge now.

During Stage 1 you should keep your ImmiAccount details current, particularly your email address and your sponsor’s contact details. The department uses ImmiAccount for all correspondence. If the Stage 2 invitation goes to an old email address and you miss it, your application can lapse.

Stage 2: finalisation

When the department reaches your queue date, you will be invited to pay the second instalment: approximately $43,600 per person. For two parents that is $87,200 in second instalment fees alone. This payment must be made within the deadline the department sets. Once paid, the department moves to actively assess and finalise your application.

Stage 2 involves completing or updating health examinations, obtaining current police clearances from every country where you have lived, progressing the Assurance of Support arrangement (a bond lodged with Centrelink of $10,000 for one adult or $14,000 for two), and providing any further documents the case officer requests.

If your documents are in order and you respond promptly, Stage 2 typically takes a few months. It is Stage 1, the queue, that accounts for the overwhelming majority of the total wait time.

Current queue date for the 143 visa

As of March 2026, the department is processing 143 applications with a queue date of November 2018. That means applications lodged in late 2018 are currently being invited to pay their second instalment and finalised.

A new application lodged today would have a queue date of June 2026. The gap between November 2018 and June 2026 is roughly seven and a half years. If the queue advances at its current rate, a 2026 lodgement is looking at a grant in the 2031 to 2034 range.

This is the single most important number to know when deciding whether to lodge the 143. The fees are substantial (around $48,640 per person all up), but many families decide the permanent residency outcome and the Medicare access that comes with it justify the cost and the wait.

Will processing times improve?

Annual program cap and queue movement

The annual parent visa programme has been running at approximately 8,500 places in recent years, with around 7,250 of those allocated to contributory visas like the 143 and Subclass 864. There have been periodic calls from the sector to increase this number, but no government has significantly expanded the programme in recent years.

Processing times for the 143 will only improve materially if the government increases the number of places allocated each year. Operational improvements at the department, such as digitising lodgement (done), can reduce Stage 2 processing time, but they cannot change how fast the queue moves. Queue speed is a function of programme places, not departmental resourcing.

The practical advice is to not lodge and wait for things to get faster. Lodge because you have assessed the cost, the timeline, and the outcome, and decided it makes sense for your family.

How the 143 compares to the 173 temporary pathway

The Subclass 173 is the temporary contributory parent visa. It was designed as a stepping stone to the 143: you lodge the 173, it is granted relatively quickly (processing times have historically been faster than permanent parent visas), and then you onshore and eventually transition to the 143.

However, the 173 and 143 share the same queue. Lodging a 173 sets your queue date just as lodging a 143 does. The 173 grant gives your parent a visa to be in Australia while waiting, but it does not move them ahead in the 143 queue. The total fees are also roughly the same across both visas as a pathway.

For most families today, the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa has become a more practical bridging option because it does not require lodging a separate contributory visa application, it processes in around seven months, and it can be held for up to 10 years in total. You can lodge the 870 while your 143 works through the queue.

Frequently asked questions

Does lodging early really matter for the 143?

Yes, significantly. Every month you delay lodging is another month added to the back of a queue that is already years long. If you are confident your family meets the eligibility requirements, including the balance of family test, there is no strategic benefit to waiting. Lodge as soon as you are ready.

Can my parent visit Australia while the 143 is in the queue?

Yes. Your parent can apply for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) to spend time in Australia while waiting. Alternatively, applying for the Subclass 870 gives your parent a longer-term, renewable temporary visa specifically designed for this purpose. The 870 allows stays of up to three or five years at a time, up to a maximum of 10 years total.

What happens to the first instalment if the 143 is refused?

Application fees are generally not refunded if an application is refused or withdrawn after lodgement. This makes it important to assess eligibility carefully before lodging. The balance of family test, in particular, is the most common eligibility issue for 143 applicants, and it cannot be waived.

Does my parent need private health insurance for the 143?

While the 143 application is in the queue, there is no mandatory requirement to hold private health insurance in the same way as the 870. However, if your parent is in Australia on a bridging visa or a visitor visa during the wait, they will not have Medicare access, so arranging private health cover is strongly advisable from a practical standpoint. Once the 143 is granted, your parent becomes eligible for Medicare on arrival in Australia.

Talk to someone who knows this queue inside out

The 143 involves significant fees, a multi-year wait, and decisions that are hard to undo. Getting the strategy right before you lodge, not after, makes a real difference.

Andrew Heathcote, MARN 0850840, has been working with contributory parent visa applications for over 15 years. Contact us at parentvisas.com.au/contact to discuss your family’s situation.

Father spending quality time with his daughters in Australia after obtaining a Contributory Parent Visa subclass 143

Contributory Parent Visa 143: Full Cost Breakdown for 2026

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

The Subclass 143 is the most realistic permanent residence pathway for most parents coming to Australia. It is also one of the more expensive visas the government offers. Before you commit, you need to understand exactly what you are signing up for, when each payment is due, and what else sits on top of the headline fee.

What does the Subclass 143 cost in 2026?

The total government fee for the Subclass 143 is approximately $49,900 per applicant. That figure is split across two separate payments at two different stages of the visa process. For two parents applying together, you are looking at roughly $99,900 in government charges alone before the visa is granted.

First instalment: the lodgement fee

When you lodge the 143 application, you pay the first instalment of approximately $6,300 for the primary applicant (as at 1 July 2026, following the annual charge increase; see our 1 July 2026 fee update). If the other parent is included as a secondary applicant on the same application, they pay a lower additional-applicant charge at lodgement. These payments are made through ImmiAccount at the time of submission.

From 22 April 2026, all permanent parent visa applications must be lodged online. Paper lodgements are no longer accepted. If you are planning to apply soon, read through what the April 2026 online lodgement changes mean practically before you start gathering documents.

The first instalment is non-refundable once the Department has started assessing the application. If the visa is refused or the application is withdrawn after substantive assessment has begun, you do not get that money back.

Second instalment: the contributory charge

The second instalment is where the 143’s cost really lands. Each applicant pays approximately $43,600 at this stage. For two parents, that is roughly $87,200. This payment is triggered when the Department contacts you to confirm the visa is ready to be granted. It is not paid at lodgement. Depending on when you applied, it could be years away.

The current queue for the 143 is processing applications lodged up to around November 2018 (as at March 2026). Applications lodged today are likely looking at roughly 8 years before the second instalment invitation arrives (see current parent visa processing times). That is actually useful planning information: you have time to set funds aside rather than finding the money at short notice.

When the second instalment invitation does come, you typically have a limited window to pay. If you miss it, the visa process stalls. Have funds set aside and make sure your contact details with the Department stay current throughout the queue period.

Assurance of Support: the bond you probably haven’t budgeted for

Most families focus on the visa fees and overlook the Assurance of Support. It is not optional for most 143 applicants, and it ties up a significant amount of money for a long time.

How much is the bond?

The Assurance of Support (AoS) bond is $10,000 for a single adult applicant. If two adults are applying together, the bond is $14,000. This is paid to the Department of Social Services, held in a Commonwealth Bank account, and is separate from the visa application charges you pay to the Department of Home Affairs.

The bond is lodged by the assurer, typically the sponsoring child in Australia. The assurer enters into a formal agreement to repay the government if the visa holder accesses certain welfare payments during the AoS period. The bond is the security against that obligation.

When do you get it back?

The bond is held for 10 years from the date the visa is granted. After 10 years, provided no claim has been made against it, the assurer receives the full amount back. There is no interest paid. You are effectively lending the government $10,000 to $14,000 for a decade at zero return. It is worth factoring that opportunity cost into your financial planning.

Additional costs to budget for

Beyond the government fees and the AoS bond, a 143 application involves several other expenses that most families underestimate.

Medical exams and police checks

All applicants must complete a medical examination through a Department-approved panel physician before the visa can be granted. The cost is typically $300 to $500 per person for a standard examination. Some applicants, particularly older ones or those with pre-existing conditions, may require additional specialist reviews that increase this cost.

Police clearance certificates are required from every country where the applicant has spent 12 months or more cumulatively in the past 10 years. Australian Federal Police checks are approximately $42 each. Overseas certificates vary in cost and timing. Build in at least 4 to 6 weeks for overseas police check applications, and budget for translation costs if needed.

Private health insurance

The 143 visa holders receive Medicare access from the date of visa grant, which is one of the significant advantages over temporary options like the 870. In the period between lodgement and grant, most 143 applicants are in Australia on bridging visas or visitor visas and may need to arrange their own health coverage. Once the visa is granted, Medicare access begins immediately.

If a parent is in Australia on a Subclass 870 while waiting for their 143, they will need to maintain Overseas Visitor Health Cover throughout that period, which can be a substantial ongoing cost.

How the 143 compares to the 103 on cost

The Subclass 103 has a government fee of approximately $8,665 per person, compared to the 143’s $49,900. That looks like a saving of more than $41,000 per person. But the 103 queue is currently at July 2013 for processing. Our 143 vs 103 comparison weighs the two in full. New applications today face a wait exceeding 30 years.

Factor Subclass 143 Subclass 103
Government fee (per person) ~$49,900 ~$8,665
Approximate queue wait (new applications) ~8 years 30+ years
Annual places allocated ~7,250 ~1,250 (shared across all non-contributory parent visas)
Medicare on grant Yes (on arrival after grant) Yes (but only after grant, not during bridging)
Assurance of Support required Yes, in most cases Yes, in most cases

For most families, the 103 is not a realistic option for parents who are already in their 60s or older. By the time a 103 lodged today would be granted, the applicant would likely be in their 90s. The 143 costs more, but it is an actual path to permanent residence within a realistic timeframe.

Frequently asked questions

When exactly do I pay the second instalment?

The Department contacts you when your application reaches the front of the queue and the visa is ready to be finalised. At that point, you are invited to pay the second instalment. You then have a set period to make that payment. The exact timeframe can vary, but it is not open-ended. Once invited, act promptly.

Can both parents be included on one 143 application?

Yes. Two parents can apply together as primary and secondary applicant on a single application. The primary applicant pays the full first instalment, and the secondary applicant pays a lower fee at lodgement. At the second instalment stage, both applicants pay the full $43,600 each.

What happens if my parent passes away before the second instalment?

If a primary applicant passes away after lodgement but before the visa is granted, the application lapses. The first instalment is generally not refunded. If there was a secondary applicant (the surviving parent), they may be able to continue the application in some circumstances. This is a situation where early legal advice from a registered migration agent matters.

Are there any fee concessions for the 143?

No. The government charges for contributory parent visas are fixed and apply equally to all applicants regardless of income, circumstances, or nationality. There are no concessions, waivers, or reductions available for the application charges themselves.

Want to know exactly what a 143 will cost your family?

The numbers above are the standard figures, but every family’s situation is different. I’m Andrew Heathcote, a registered migration agent (MARN 0850840) with over 15 years of experience specifically in parent visas. I can give you a precise cost estimate based on your actual circumstances, explain the timing, and help you avoid the expensive mistakes that catch families out.

Get in touch for a consultation and let’s work through the numbers together.

Two older friends comparing their Australian parent visa options between the subclass 143 and subclass 103

Parent Visa 143 vs 103: Which One Is Right for Your Family?

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

The two permanent parent visas available to most applicants are the Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa and the Subclass 103 Parent Visa. On the surface, the 103 looks like the budget option and the 143 looks like the premium one. The reality is considerably more nuanced, and for the vast majority of families in 2026, the choice is effectively made for them by the realities of the queue.

143 vs 103: the fundamental trade-off

The 143 costs significantly more upfront but processes in years. The 103 costs less upfront but takes over 30 years to process under current queue conditions. That is not a trade-off between cost and speed in any meaningful sense. It is a choice between a visa that will realistically be granted in your parent’s lifetime and one that almost certainly will not, at least not for new applicants today.

Both visas lead to the same outcome: permanent residence in Australia with full work rights, Medicare access, and the ability to sponsor other family members. The difference is entirely in the cost to get there and, critically, how long it takes.

Cost comparison: what you actually pay

Subclass 143 fees

The 143 has a two-instalment fee structure. The first instalment is approximately $5,040 per person, payable at lodgement. This sets your queue date. The second instalment of approximately $43,600 per person is payable when the department invites you to finalise your application, typically six to eight years later at current queue rates.

Total cost per person: approximately $48,640. For two parents: approximately $97,280 in visa application charges alone, before factoring in health examinations, police clearances, agent fees, and the Assurance of Support bond.

The Assurance of Support bond is $10,000 for one adult or $14,000 for two adults. This is a bond lodged with Centrelink that is held for 10 years and then released. It is not a fee you lose, but it is cash that is tied up for a decade.

Subclass 103 fees

The 103 has a single upfront fee of approximately $7,345 per person, payable at lodgement. For two parents, that is approximately $14,690. There is no second instalment. The Assurance of Support bond requirements are the same: $10,000 for one adult, $14,000 for two.

The real cost of waiting: why 103 is not as cheap as it looks

The $7,345 fee for the 103 looks far more attractive than the $48,640 for the 143. But consider what you are actually buying with that lower price. The department is currently processing 103 applications lodged in July 2013. A new applicant lodging today will be waiting well into the 2050s. Over a wait that long, most parents will either be deceased, physically unable to migrate, or in circumstances so changed that the visa is irrelevant.

There are also real costs to a 30-year wait that do not appear in the fee schedule. Your parent cannot access Medicare during the queue wait unless they are in Australia on another visa. They cannot access Australian government benefits. If they develop serious health conditions, those conditions may make them ineligible when the queue date is finally reached.

For anyone lodging a 103 today, the honest advice is: lodge it as a hedge if you wish, but do not rely on it as your pathway to bringing your parents to Australia in any realistic timeframe.

Processing time comparison

Current 143 queue timeline

As of March 2026, the department is processing 143 applications with a queue date of November 2018. A new application lodged in mid-2026 would be looking at a queue date gap of approximately seven and a half years, suggesting a grant in the 2031 to 2034 range under current programme settings (see full parent visa processing times).

Approximately 7,250 contributory parent visa places are allocated each year across the 143 and Subclass 864. The pace at which the queue advances depends on how many applications are at each queue date and how many programme places are available each year.

Current 103 queue timeline

As of March 2026, the department is processing 103 applications with a queue date of July 2013. That is a 13-year gap to the current processing date, and new applications are still being accepted and lodged into a queue that now stretches more than 30 years beyond today.

Approximately 1,250 non-contributory parent visa places are allocated each year across the 103 and Subclass 804. The pace of progress is glacial by any measure.

Health coverage and Medicare access

143: Medicare on arrival in Australia

When the Subclass 143 is granted, your parent becomes eligible to enrol in Medicare on arrival in Australia. This is one of the most practically significant differences between the two visas. Medicare access means your parent can access the public health system, bulk-billed GP visits, subsidised medications through the PBS, and public hospital treatment without out-of-pocket costs for most services.

For parents of retirement age, Medicare access is often the single most important feature of permanent residency. Private health insurance premiums for elderly parents can be extraordinarily expensive. Medicare fundamentally changes the financial equation.

103: no Medicare until the visa is granted

For the Subclass 103, your parent does not have Medicare access until the visa is actually granted. During the queue wait (which could be 30 or more years), they are not entitled to Medicare based on holding the 103 application alone. If they are in Australia on a visitor visa or bridging visa during the wait, they will need private health insurance or will face significant out-of-pocket health costs.

For a new 103 applicant, this is somewhat academic given the 30-year wait. They will almost certainly not be waiting in Australia for three decades. But it is worth understanding that the 103 does not provide Medicare access in the way the 143 does.

Other key differences

Private health insurance requirements

Neither the 143 nor the 103 has a mandatory ongoing private health insurance requirement written into the visa conditions in the same way as the Subclass 870. However, if your parent is in Australia on a bridging visa while the permanent application is in the queue, practical necessity means adequate health cover is essential. For 143 applicants who may be onshore during the six to eight year wait, this is a real consideration and a real ongoing cost.

Travel and work rights

Both the 143 and 103 grant the same travel and work rights once granted: full work rights in Australia, and a five-year travel facility from the date of grant (renewable through a Resident Return Visa). There is no difference between the two visas in this respect once the visa is in hand.

During the queue wait, neither visa provides standalone work rights. Your parent’s right to work in Australia during the wait depends on the visa they hold at the time, such as a visitor visa, a bridging visa, or a 870.

Which visa is right for your family?

Choose 143 if…

  • Your family can meet the cost of approximately $48,640 per person (either now or over time, given the two-instalment structure).
  • Your parents are in reasonable health and realistically expect to be alive and able to migrate in six to eight years.
  • Medicare access after grant is important to your family’s planning.
  • You want the certainty of a defined (if long) pathway to permanent residence.

Choose 103 if…

  • You are lodging primarily to preserve an application date and do not expect to rely on the 103 as the primary pathway.
  • Your parent is young enough that a 30-plus year wait is theoretically possible (though this scenario is unusual).
  • You want to make a low-cost lodgement as a hedge while pursuing the 143 or another pathway simultaneously.

In practice, lodging a 103 today as a stand-alone strategy makes very little sense for most families. The realistic pathway to bringing parents to Australia in any foreseeable timeframe is the 143, potentially combined with a Subclass 870 as a bridge.

When to consider the 870 instead

If your family cannot afford the 143 fees, or if your parent’s age or health makes a six to eight year wait uncertain, the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa is worth serious consideration. It processes in approximately seven months, allows your parent to live in Australia for up to 10 years in total, and costs a fraction of the 143. The trade-off is that it does not lead to permanent residence.

Many families use the 870 and the 143 together: lodge the 143 to lock in a queue date, then lodge the 870 so your parent can actually be in Australia during the years the 143 is in the queue. The two applications are independent and do not interfere with each other.

Frequently asked questions

Can I lodge both a 143 and a 103 at the same time for the same parent?

Generally, a parent can only hold one substantive visa application at a time for the same visa class. You would not lodge both a 143 and a 103 simultaneously for the same parent. You choose one pathway. For most families, the 143 is the right choice based on the realities of the 103 queue.

Does the balance of family test apply to both the 143 and 103?

Yes. The balance of family test is a mandatory requirement for both the 143 and the 103. It requires that at least half of your parent’s children are usually resident in Australia, or more of their children are in Australia than in any other single country. This test cannot be waived and is assessed at the time of decision, not at lodgement. Families with children spread across multiple countries should check parent visa eligibility and seek specific advice before lodging.

What happens to my 103 application fees if I later want to switch to a 143?

You cannot “switch” a 103 to a 143. They are separate applications. If you withdraw a 103 application to lodge a 143, the 103 fees are not refunded and your 103 queue date is lost. This is a one-way door. Get the strategy right before you lodge.

If my parent is already quite elderly, should they still lodge a 143?

That depends on their age, health, and how realistic a six to eight year wait is for them. A parent who is 65 today and in good health may well be granted the 143 in their early to mid 70s, which is entirely feasible. A parent who is 78 with significant health conditions faces a different calculation. The age requirement for the aged parent pathway (Subclass 864 or 804) should also be considered for older parents who meet the “aged parent” definition.

Are 143 fees indexed or could they increase before Stage 2 is due?

Yes. Visa application charges are indexed periodically by the government. The second instalment of the 143, payable at Stage 2 some years after lodgement, will almost certainly be higher in dollar terms than the current figure of approximately $43,600. Budget conservatively and do not lock in financial plans based on today’s fees for a payment that may not fall due for six to eight years.

Get the right visa strategy for your family

The 143 vs 103 decision sounds simple but carries real financial and practical consequences. The balance of family test, the cost timing, the Medicare implications, and whether to run a 870 alongside: these are decisions that are much easier to get right before lodgement than to fix afterwards.

Andrew Heathcote, MARN 0850840, has been navigating parent visa strategy for families across Australia for over 15 years. Contact us to book a consultation and discuss your specific situation.

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.