Subclass 143 — Contributory Parent visa

Who the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) is generally for

In general terms, the subclass 143 is a permanent visa for a parent of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, allowing the parent to live in Australia permanently. It sits alongside the non-contributory parent visa (the subclass 103) as the 'contributory' option: applicants typically pay a substantially higher government charge in exchange for a queue that is generally much shorter than the non-contributory pathway, though both are usually measured in years rather than weeks. A defining feature of parent visas is the balance-of-family test. In broad terms this looks at how many of a parent's children live lawfully and permanently in Australia compared with how many live elsewhere, and an applicant generally needs to satisfy this test to be eligible. A sponsor is also central: the parent is usually sponsored by their settled child (or, in some situations, by another approved sponsor), and an Assurance of Support is commonly required, under which a person undertakes to support the applicant financially for a set period so they do not rely on certain public funds. Health and character requirements typically apply as well. The specific rules — how the balance-of-family test is calculated, who can sponsor, what the Assurance of Support involves, and the current charges and queue times — are set out officially and change over time. This is general information only, not immigration assistance or legal advice. Always check the official Home Affairs page for the subclass 143, and a registered migration practitioner can advise on whether this visa suits your particular circumstances.

What it typically costs

The contributory parent pathway is generally one of the more expensive permanent visa options, and the government Visa Application Charge (VAC) is the main cost to plan for. A distinctive feature of the subclass 143 is that the charge is typically collected in two instalments rather than all at once. A first instalment is generally paid when the application is lodged, and a second instalment is generally payable later in the process, usually before the visa can be granted. The second instalment is the large one — commonly in the order of tens of thousands of dollars per applicant. Because these figures are set officially and change, the reliable way to plan is to check the official Home Affairs page and use the official Visa Application Charge estimator for the current amounts rather than relying on any single number here. Where more than one parent applies, or family members are included, additional-applicant charges generally apply per person, and the second instalment in particular is typically charged for each applicant — so the total can be considerable for a couple. Applicants also usually meet ancillary out-of-pocket costs that sit outside the VAC, which can include health examinations, police or character certificates from relevant countries, certified translations of documents not in English, and costs associated with the Assurance of Support (for example any bond-type arrangement, where one applies). A registered practitioner can help estimate the likely total for a given situation. Importantly, the VAC and any Assurance of Support obligations are government charges and undertakings connected to the Department of Home Affairs and any relevant government agency. They are entirely separate from any platform fee or from fees a registered practitioner charges for professional services. Those are always shown distinctly and are never part of the government charge. Treat any figure here as indicative only and confirm current amounts via the official page and estimator.

Common questions about the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)