Best Parent Visa Australia for 2026: Costs, Waiting Time & Which One to Choose
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, your biggest dream is likely to be to bring your parents to stay permanently with you in Australia. But the Australian Parent Visa system is well-known for being one of the most complex and expensive in Australian migration law. And amongst all Parent Visa options, which one is the best to get your parents to be in Australia as soon as possible?
In 2026, the rules have shifted. Whether you want a short-term visit or a permanent move for your parents, choosing the wrong visa subclass can lead to decades of waiting or thousands of dollars in lost fees.
Quick Answer
There is no single “best” Parent Visa in Australia. To get the best one, it entirely depends on your budget and patience.
- Do you prefer a Parent Visa with the quickest processing time? The subclass 870 visa is the best choice, but it is valid for a temporary stay only.
- Do you prefer a Permanent Parent Visa with the fastest processing time? The subclass 143 (offshore) and subclass 864 (onshore) Parent Visa is the way to go. However, the processing time still takes 15+ years, and the application fee is quite expensive.
- Do you need cheaper Parent Visa options? The subclass 103 (offshore) and subclass 804 (onshore) Parent Visa can be the best option, but be prepared for the 30+ years of processing time.
What is a Parent Visa Australia?
A Parent visa allows the parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.
To qualify for the Parent Visa, your parents must pass the Balance of Family test. This means that at least half of their children must live permanently in Australia, or more of their children live in Australia (as a PR or citizen) than in any other single country.
Balance of Family Test Calculation:
| Total number of Children | Children living permanently in Australia | Children in country A | Children in country B | Children in country C | Passess test? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | No |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | No |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | No |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| Total number of Children | Children living permanently in Australia | Children in country A | Children in country B | Children in country C | Passess test? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | No |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | No |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | No |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
The Balance of Family test requirement can be quite confusing, and failure in calculating this requirement can cost you a Parent Visa refusal. So, before submitting the “submit” button, it’s best to understand and learn this requirement further here: Everything You Need to Know About the Balance of Family Test for Australian Parent Visa.
Main Parent Visa Options Overview
1. The Temporary “Visitor” Parent Visa Option: Subclass 870 Visa
This is a popular sponsored visa that allows your parents to stay for 3 or 5 years at a time in Australia.
- Best for: Families who need their parents here immediately and don’t need a path to permanent residency.
- Pro: No Balance of Family test required, and this is the quickest Parent Visa in Australia (only several months of processing time).
You can find other benefits that the 870 visa offers here: 870 Visa Benefits Compared to Other Parent Visa
2. The “Staggered” Contributory Parent Visas: subclasses 173 and 884 Visa
These are 2-year temporary visas that act as a stepping stone to Permanent Residency. Instead of paying the full AUD 48,000 fee upfront, you pay in two stages with these options.
- Subclass 173 visa is for parents outside Australia
- Subclass 884 visa is for parents already in Australia who are over 67 years old.
- Why choose this: It helps your family manage cash flow. You pay roughly AUD 32,000 – AUD 34,000 now, and another fee of AUD 22,000 – AUD 24,000 when you apply for the permanent visa (143 or 864) two years later.
3. The Contributory Permanent Visas: subclasses 143 and 864 Visa
These visas are called “Contributory” because you pay a high fee to help cover future healthcare costs.
- Best for: Families who want PR and have the budget to pay the contribution fee.
- The reality: Even the fast visas now have processing times of 12+ years.
4. The Non-Contributory Visas: subclasses 103 and 804 Visa
These are the most affordable permanent Parent Visa options, but the quotas available are very small.
- Best for: Parents who can wait 30+ years. Usually, 804 Visa applicants can stay in Australia on a Bridging Visa while they wait.
- The reality: The queue is now so long that new applicants in 2026 may never see a grant in their lifetime.
Other than fees, processing time is the biggest concern when deciding the best Parent Visa option. We understand that waiting for decades only for a stay permit may not seem worth everything you’ve put together. So, let’s understand this pain point first before moving to any strategies.
Which Parent Visa Australia is Best for You?
Choosing the right parent visa is a balance between your family’s budget and how quickly you want to be together. To find the right path, ask yourself: What matters most to us?
1. I want the Lower Cost
If your priority is saving money and you aren’t in a rush for permanent residency:
- The choice: Subclass 804 or subclass 103 visas
- Why: These are the most affordable permanent Parent Visa options.
- The reality: The wait times are over 30 years. However, if your parents are over 67 and apply for the 804 Visa while in Australia, they can stay with you on a Bridging Visa indefinitely while they wait.
2. I want the Faster Approval
If you need your parents here as soon as possible, for example, to help with a new baby or for a long family reunion:
- The choice: Subclass 870 Visa
- Why: This is the only parent visa with a processing time of just a few months.
- The reality: It does not lead to PR, and you must be approved as a sponsor first. It’s a “pay to stay” visitor option for up to 10 years.
3. I want my parents to stay in Australia with me Right Now
If your parents are already in Australia on a Visitor Visa, and you don’t want them to leave:
- The choice: Subclass 864 or 884 Visas
- Why: If your parents are 67 or older and their current visa doesn’t have an 8503 – No Further Stay condition, they can lodge these visa applications onshore.
- The reality: These visas allow them to transition to a Bridging Visa, meaning they don’t have to fly back home while the application is processed.
4. I want a long-term migration plan to manage the cost
If you want your parents to have a Permanent Residency permit, but the AUD 50,000+ upfront cost is too high:
- The choice: Apply for subclass 13 or subclass 884 visa first, then move to subclass 143 or 864 visa later.
- Why: These are “split-payment” visas. You pay about AUD 32,000-AUD 34,000 now for a 2-year visa, then pay the remaining balance to switch to permanent residency (subclass 143 or 864) later.
- The reality: It costs slightly more in total fees, but it gives your family time to save for the final instalment.
Choosing the wrong visa subclass can lead you to decades of waiting or losing thousands of dollars of the application fee, even your parents’ future. Don’t leave it to chance. If you’re unsure which visa you should apply for, always consider getting professional advice from a Registered Migration Agent. You can reach us by phone at 1300 827 159 or contact us here if you’re in this situation.
Strategy Guide: How to Succeed in Parent Visa Applications in 2026
As of 22 April 2026, the Department has moved the permanent Parent Visa applications to 100% online lodgment. This means decision-ready applications are mandatory:
- Check your parents’ age: For aged Parent Visas (804, 864), the parent must meet the Australian pension age, which currently sits at 67.
- The sponsorship first rule: For the 870 Visa, the child must be approved as a sponsor before the parent can apply for the visa.
- The Assurance of Support (AoS): For permanent Parent Visas, you must prove that you earn enough money to support your parents so they don’t rely on the Australian welfare system.
If you wish to check your parents’ eligibility, please contact us via email at [email protected] or phone at 1300 827 159.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for the wrong “Aged” category: If your parent isn’t 67 yet, an “Aged” application will be refused instantly.
- Ignoring the 870 visa “travel block”: If a parent is on an 870 visa, they generally cannot apply for the permanent Parent Visa while onshore.
- Not budgeting for the 2nd instalment: The AUD 43,000+ contribution fee is usually paid at the end of the process, but you must show you have access to those funds.
FAQ About Parent Visa in Australia
- Can my parents work on a Parent Visa?
- On permanent visas and the 870 visa, they generally have work rights, though most parents use these for retirement.
- What is the Balance of Family test?
- It’s like a math equation. If you have 3 siblings and 2 live in the UK and only 1 (you) lives in Australia, your parents fail the test for permanent visas. However, they can still get the 870 visa because it doesn’t have the Balance of Family test requirement.
- Are Parent Visas still moving to online lodgement?
- Yes, there are. As of late April 2026, all permanent Parent Visa applications must be submitted digitally through ImmiAccount.
Do You Need a Custom Migration Plan for Your Parents?
Every family is different, and the “cheapest” visa is often the most “expensive” in terms of time lost. Don’t leave your parents’ future to a guessing game.
At ONEderland Consulting, we specialise in complex Parent Visa cases with the best strategies to keep your family together while you wait.
Book a Parent Visa strategy session today. Let’s bring them home, the right and fastest way.
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