Book a Consult

Tag: parent visa cost

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 If the visa is refused or the application is withdrawn after substantive assessment has begun, you do not get that money back.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.

Elderly couple relaxing together in Australia on a Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa subclass 870

Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa: Full Cost Breakdown for Australia

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

The Subclass 870 is marketed as an affordable temporary visa that lets parents spend extended time in Australia. The application fees are genuinely low. But the 870 has ongoing costs that most families only discover after they have committed. This breakdown gives you the full picture so there are no surprises. For how the visa works end to end, see our complete 870 guide.

How much does the 870 visa cost?

The Subclass 870 is available in two grant periods: 3 years and 5 years. The 5-year version is available only for a second 870 grant (you must hold a prior 870 to access the 5-year stream in most cases). Across multiple grants, a parent can accumulate up to 10 years total stay in Australia on the 870.

Primary applicant fee

As at 1 July 2026, the base visa application charge for the 870 is AUD 1,515, the same whether the grant is for 3 or 5 years, and a second visa application charge instalment of up to $10,925 applies before the visa is granted, depending on the length of stay. Government charges are indexed on 1 July each year, so confirm the current figure with the Department of Home Affairs before you apply. From 1 July 2026, a lower application charge applies to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and ASEAN member countries. For reference, the base charge is:

  • Base application charge: AUD 1,515 (as at 1 July 2026)
  • Indexed on 1 July each year; confirm the current amount with the Department

These fees are paid at the time of application lodgement. They are non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn after assessment begins.

Secondary applicant fees

Secondary applicants (additional dependants included in the same application) pay a reduced fee at the same rate schedule. Most 870 applications involve a single parent as primary applicant. In some cases, a couple applies together, in which case both fees apply.

Sponsor application costs

Before a parent can apply for the 870, the Australian child must be approved as a sponsor. The sponsorship application costs approximately $420. This is a one-time cost for the sponsorship approval, though the sponsorship needs to be maintained and updated if circumstances change significantly.

The sponsor must meet an income threshold to be eligible. The current threshold is $83,454.80 per year. If the sponsor’s individual income does not meet this threshold, they can combine their income with a partner’s to reach it. This is the same principle as the Assurance of Support for permanent visas: the government wants evidence that the sponsoring household can support the parent without reliance on public resources.

There is no Assurance of Support bond required for the 870. This is a meaningful practical difference from the permanent parent visa pathways, where a $10,000 to $14,000 bond is required (our 143 vs 103 comparison sets out the permanent visa costs in full).

Ongoing costs during the visa period

The application fees are the smallest part of the 870’s true cost. The ongoing expenses during the visa period are where the real money goes.

Mandatory private health insurance

Every 870 visa holder is required to hold approved private health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Australia. This is not optional and it is not reviewable. The insurance must meet the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements for Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).

The cost of OVHC varies based on the parent’s age, the level of cover selected, and the insurer. For a parent in their 60s, a basic policy typically costs around $3,000 to $4,500 per year. For parents in their 70s or above, premiums can reach $5,000 to $8,000 per year or more, particularly if hospital cover is required. Premiums increase with age each year, so a policy that costs $3,500 in year one may cost $4,500 by year four.

Over a 5-year grant period, a single parent’s health insurance costs might range from $15,000 to $40,000 depending on age and health status. For two parents, double those figures.

No Medicare: what this means in practice

The 870 does not include Medicare access. This is fundamental. Without Medicare, every GP visit, specialist appointment, pathology test, imaging, and hospital admission is either paid out of pocket or claimed through private insurance.

For parents with ongoing health needs (which is common for people in their 60s and 70s), the gap between what OVHC covers and what healthcare actually costs can be significant. Most OVHC policies have excess amounts and restricted cover for pre-existing conditions. Parents with chronic conditions may find that their insurance covers less than they expected, and that uncovered medical costs accumulate throughout their stay.

This is one of the strongest arguments for pursuing permanent residence through the Subclass 143 or Subclass 864 if the family can absorb the cost. Permanent residents have full Medicare access from arrival after grant.

Total cost over 5 years vs 10 years

To illustrate the real cost of the 870, here are two scenarios for a single parent:

Cost Item Single Parent, 5 Years Single Parent, 10 Years
870 application fees (lodgement) ~$1,730 ~$2,875 (two applications)
Sponsor approval fee ~$420 ~$420 (one-time)
Health insurance (mid-range estimate) ~$20,000 to $30,000 ~$45,000 to $70,000
Out-of-pocket medical costs (estimate) ~$3,000 to $8,000 ~$6,000 to $20,000
Estimated total ~$25,000 to $40,000 ~$54,000 to $93,000

Health insurance is the variable that drives the range. A parent in good health in their early 60s will sit near the lower end. An older parent with ongoing health needs will be at the higher end or beyond it.

How 870 costs compare to permanent parent visa costs

The comparison that matters most is: what does the 870 cost over the time your parent waits for a permanent visa to be granted?

If a family lodges a 143 today and the parent spends approximately 8 years on 870 visas while waiting, the total 870 cost over that period (visa fees plus insurance plus out-of-pocket medical) could reach $45,000 to $80,000 for a single parent. Add the 143’s government fees of approximately $48,640 and the Assurance of Support bond of $10,000 (returned after 10 years), and the total cost of the combined strategy is approximately $100,000 to $140,000 per parent.

By contrast, a parent who goes straight to permanent residence (where this is possible onshore, as with the 864) skips the years of OVHC costs entirely and moves to Medicare from grant date.

The 870 is genuinely useful as a holding strategy while a permanent application progresses through the queue. But it is not a cheap option when viewed over a realistic timeframe. Families should plan for the full cost of the combined strategy rather than just the next visa fee.

Frequently asked questions

Can my parent work on the 870 visa?

No. The Subclass 870 does not include work rights. The parent cannot undertake any work in Australia while on this visa. This is one of several limitations of the 870 compared to permanent residence pathways.

What happens if the 870 application is refused?

If a 870 application is refused, the application fee is generally not refunded after substantive assessment has begun. The parent would need to depart Australia if they do not hold another valid visa. Refusals are not common for straightforward applications, but they can occur where the sponsor does not meet income requirements or where the parent has a health or character issue.

Is there a limit on how many 870 visas a parent can hold?

Yes. The maximum total stay on the 870 is 10 years, accumulated across multiple grants. After 10 years, no further 870 grants are available. If a permanent parent visa has not been granted by that point, the parent must either have an alternative visa to remain or depart Australia.

Does the 870 count towards the balance of family test for permanent parent visas?

Being in Australia on an 870 does not affect how the balance of family test is applied for a permanent parent visa application. The balance of family test is assessed separately based on where the parent’s children are legally residing.

Work out whether the 870 makes sense for your family

The 870 is the right option for many families, but it needs to be planned properly. I am Andrew Heathcote, a registered migration agent (MARN 0850840) based in Brisbane, and I have been working on parent visa strategies for more than 15 years. I can help you understand whether the 870 is the right bridge for your situation, what it will actually cost over time, and how it fits alongside a permanent visa application.

Contact me for a consultation and let’s build a plan that works for your family.

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.