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