Contributory Parent Visa 143: Full Cost Breakdown for 2026
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 If the visa is refused or the application is withdrawn after substantive assessment has begun, you do not get that money back.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.
