Tag: subclass 143

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

Elderly woman smiling after learning her parent visa queue date has been reached in Australia

Parent Visa Queue Dates in Australia: What They Are and How They Work

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

If you have lodged a parent visa application, or are thinking about it, you will quickly encounter the term “queue date.” It causes more confusion than almost anything else in the parent visa process, and that confusion is understandable. The system is not intuitive. This article explains exactly how it works, where things stand in 2026, and what you can realistically expect.

What are parent visa queue dates?

A queue date is the date your parent visa application was lodged and entered the processing queue. The Department of Home Affairs does not process parent visa applications on a first-come, first-served basis across all visa types. Instead, each visa subclass has its own queue, and the department works through that queue chronologically, granting a limited number of visas each year based on the annual migration programme allocation.

Think of it as a numbered ticket system. When your application is lodged, you get your spot in the queue. The department then calls numbers in order, but it only calls a fixed number each year. If the annual allocation runs out before your number is called, you wait until the next programme year.

This is why you will hear people talk about “what queue date is being processed now.” That figure tells you roughly where the department is up to, not when your specific application will be finalised.

How the queue date system works

When is your queue date set?

Your queue date is set on the day your application is validly lodged and the application charge is paid. For contributory parent visas like the Subclass 143, the first instalment must be paid at lodgement. For the Subclass 103, the full application fee is paid upfront.

From 22 April 2026, all permanent parent visa applications must be lodged online through ImmiAccount. See the April 2026 online lodgement changes for details on what shifted and how the process now works.

How queue dates move forward

The queue moves forward as the department finalises applications. Each financial year, the government sets the migration programme, which includes a fixed number of places for parent visas. In recent years that allocation has been approximately 8,500 places per year across all parent visa subclasses: around 7,250 for contributory visas and 1,250 for non-contributory visas. This has recently been reduced to 7060 and parent visas now as a result will expereince loanger waits.

The speed at which queue dates advance depends entirely on how many applications from a given lodgement period are finalised within the available places. If there are a large number of applications sitting at a particular queue date, progress can slow. If applicants withdraw or become ineligible, those spots pass to the next group.

The department publishes approximate processing information, but it does not give individual queue date estimates. You will not receive a notification telling you that your queue date is approaching. You have to monitor it yourself or work with an agent who tracks it regularly.

Current queue dates by visa subclass (2026)

As of March 2026, here is where each parent visa queue stands:

Visa Subclass Current Queue Date Being Processed Estimated Wait for New Lodgements
Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent) November 2018 Approximately 13 to 15 years from now
Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent) November 2018 Approximately 13 to 15 years from now
Subclass 103 (Parent) July 2013 30-50 years
Subclass 804 (Aged Parent) July 2013 30-50 years

Those 103 and 804 figures are not a typo. The department is currently processing applications lodged in July 2013. A new applicant lodging today would be waiting well into the 2050s under the current programme settings. The 143 queue is significantly better, but still measured in years, not months.

What happens when your queue date is reached?

When the department reaches your queue date, it does not automatically grant your visa. It means your application is now eligible to be assessed and finalised. The department will contact you, or your registered agent, to request any outstanding documents, updated health examinations, police clearances, and to confirm your current circumstances.

This is also when the bulk of the substantive casework happens. Health assessments, character checks, and the Assurance of Support process all need to be completed before a decision can be made. How long this takes after your queue date is reached depends on how complete your file is and how quickly you respond to requests.

Stage 2 of the contributory parent visa

For the Subclass 143, reaching your queue date triggers what is commonly called Stage 2. This is when the second visa application charge becomes payable: approximately $43,600 per person. This is on top of the first instalment of approximately $5,040 paid at lodgement, bringing the total to around $48,640 per person.

You are not required to pay the second instalment until the department invites you to do so. The department will issue an invitation and set a deadline. If you do not pay in time, your application can lapse. Keep your contact details in ImmiAccount current so you do not miss this notification.

Can you speed up your queue date?

No. There is no mechanism to pay extra, apply for priority processing, or otherwise move your queue date forward for standard parent visas. Your position in the queue is fixed from the day you lodge.

What some families do is lodge a Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa while waiting for the permanent visa to be processed. The 870 does not have a queue system. It processes on a rolling basis, currently running at around seven months, and it allows parents to live in Australia temporarily while the longer-term permanent application works its way through the queue. Holding an 870 does not affect your position in the permanent visa queue.

The annual programme allocation is set by the government and can change with policy decisions. Individual applicants have no control over that number, but it is worth knowing that advocacy and budget decisions can influence how many places are available each year.

Frequently asked questions

Does my queue date change if I update my application?

No. Updating documents, changing sponsors, or responding to department requests does not change your original queue date. Your position in the queue is locked in at the time of lodgement. The only way to reset your queue date would be to withdraw and re-lodge, which would place you at the back of the queue.

Can I check my queue date status online?

You can log into ImmiAccount to check the status of your application, but ImmiAccount does not show you where your queue date sits relative to current processing. The department publishes global processing information on its website periodically. A registered migration agent can track this for you and flag when your application is likely to become active.

What happens if my circumstances change while I am in the queue?

The department assesses your circumstances at the time of finalisation, not at the time of lodgement. Changes to your sponsor’s circumstances, your health, or your family composition can all affect the outcome. Keep the department informed of any significant changes and maintain valid health insurance if you are living in Australia on a bridging or temporary visa during the wait.

If my parent passes away before their queue date is reached, are fees refunded?

In most cases the application fees are not refunded. This is one of the harder practical realities of a very long queue. For 103 and 804 applicants, given the 30-plus year wait, this is a serious consideration. For 143 applicants, a parent who lodges today is looking at a wait of potentially a decade. These are real risks that should factor into which visa pathway you choose.

Get clear on where you stand in the queue

Queue dates, processing times, and the right visa strategy are not things to guess at. If you want a straightforward assessment of your family’s situation and a realistic timeline, speak with a registered migration agent who works with parent visas every day.

Andrew Heathcote, MARN 0850840, has been helping families navigate the parent visa system for over 15 years. Contact us through parentvisas.com.au/contact for an honest, no-spin assessment of your options.

Australian passport and visa application documents representing the Assurance of Support requirement for parent visas

Assurance of Support for Australian Parent Visas: What You Need to Know

Written by webadmin on . Posted in News.

The Assurance of Support is one of the most misunderstood parts of the Australian parent visa process. Families either don’t know it exists until late in the application, or they understand it vaguely as “a bond” without grasping what it actually commits them to. This guide covers it plainly.

What is an Assurance of Support?

An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a legal commitment made by a person in Australia (the assurer) to repay the Commonwealth government if the visa holder accesses certain welfare payments during a defined period. It is backed by a cash bond held by the Department of Social Services.

In practical terms: if your parent is granted a permanent parent visa, someone in Australia needs to vouch financially that they will not rely on government welfare payments for the specified period. That person lodges a bond in cash. If your parent receives certain welfare payments and the government seeks reimbursement, the bond can be drawn down. If no claims are made, the bond is returned in full at the end of the period.

The AoS is administered by Services Australia (formerly Centrelink), not by the Department of Home Affairs. It is a separate process from the visa application itself, but it is a condition that must be met before the visa can be granted.

Which parent visas require an Assurance of Support?

The AoS is required for the following parent visas:

The temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) does not require an Assurance of Support. This is one of the practical advantages of the 870 for families where the bond requirement creates difficulties.

How much is the Assurance of Support bond?

The bond amount depends on how many adults are included in the visa application.

Single applicant

For a single adult visa applicant, the AoS bond is $10,000. This is paid as a lump sum to Services Australia before the visa is granted.

Two applicants together

If two adults are applying together (for example, both parents on a joint application), the bond is $14,000 for both combined. It is not $10,000 per person when applying jointly. This is a common source of confusion.

The bond is paid in full upfront. There are no payment plan options. The assurer needs to have the cash available at the point the bond is requested, which typically occurs when the visa is close to being granted.

Who can be an assurer?

The assurer is usually the sponsoring child in Australia, but it does not have to be. An assurer must be:

  • An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Resident in Australia
  • Able to meet the income threshold for the AoS period

There can be more than one assurer on a single AoS. Having a joint assurer (for example, the Australian child and their partner) is common and is often necessary to meet the income requirements.

Income requirements

The assurer must demonstrate sufficient income to meet the government’s threshold. The income test is applied at the time the AoS bond is lodged. Services Australia assesses whether the assurer’s income is adequate to support both their existing dependants and the incoming visa holder(s) without recourse to government support.

The income thresholds are updated periodically and vary depending on the assurer’s family composition. If the assurer’s income falls below the relevant threshold, the AoS may not be approved, which can block the visa grant. It is worth confirming income eligibility early in the process rather than finding out late.

Can a partner’s income be combined?

Yes. If the primary assurer is in a relationship, they can include their partner as a co-assurer, and the combined household income is assessed against the threshold. This is actually how most families get across the line when a single income is not enough. Both partners need to be willing to enter into the legal commitment of the AoS, and both need to meet the eligibility criteria above.

What happens if the assurance is called in?

During the AoS period, if your parent accesses certain welfare payments (primarily income support payments from Centrelink), Services Australia can seek repayment from the assurer. The bond is available to cover these costs. If the welfare debt exceeds the bond amount, the assurer may be personally liable for the shortfall.

In practice, most parent visa holders do not access the specific welfare payments that trigger AoS recovery. The main risk categories are income support payments, which parents generally cannot access for several years after arriving in Australia regardless of the AoS. But the commitment is real and should be understood before it is entered into.

The AoS period for contributory parent visas (143 and 864) is 10 years from visa grant. For non-contributory parent visas (103 and 804), the period is also 10 years.

When is the bond released?

The $10,000 or $14,000 bond is held for the full 10-year AoS period. At the end of that period, provided no recovery action has reduced the bond balance, the full amount is returned to the assurer. Services Australia initiates the release process and the funds are returned by cheque or direct deposit.

There is no interest earned on the bond during the holding period. The money sits in a Commonwealth Bank account in the assurer’s name but earns nothing. The real financial cost of the AoS is not the $10,000 or $14,000 itself (since you get it back), but the 10-year opportunity cost of having that capital locked away.

Frequently asked questions

Can the AoS bond be paid in instalments?

No. The bond must be paid as a single lump sum when Services Australia approves the AoS and issues a payment request. There is no instalment arrangement. If you do not have the funds available at that point, the AoS cannot proceed and the visa cannot be granted.

What if the assurer’s financial circumstances change after the bond is lodged?

Once the AoS is in force, the assurer’s ongoing financial situation does not affect the bond itself. The bond amount is fixed at lodgement. However, if the assurer loses income and becomes unable to meet the obligations of the AoS agreement (for example, reimbursing the government for welfare payments accessed by the visa holder), they remain legally liable regardless. The AoS is a genuine legal commitment, not just a deposit.

Does the AoS affect the assurer’s ability to access welfare payments themselves?

Not directly. The AoS does not automatically exclude the assurer from accessing Centrelink payments they are otherwise entitled to. However, Services Australia will consider the assurer’s income and assets when assessing any future payments, and having a significant cash bond in their name may affect some means-tested calculations.

What happens to the bond if the visa holder passes away during the 10-year period?

If the visa holder passes away during the AoS period, the obligation generally ends. Services Australia should be notified, and the remaining bond balance (less any amounts already claimed for welfare payments) can be returned early. The exact process depends on individual circumstances and it is worth contacting Services Australia directly when this situation arises.

Get the full picture before you commit

The Assurance of Support catches families off guard more than almost any other part of the parent visa process. I am Andrew Heathcote, a registered migration agent (MARN 0850840) based in Brisbane. I have been working on parent visas for more than 15 years and I can walk you through exactly what the AoS means for your family, whether you meet the income requirements, and how to structure it properly.

Contact me for a consultation before you get to the point where the AoS becomes urgent.