Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143)

Overview

This visa allows you to:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely
• Work and study in Australia
• Enroll in Medicare, Australia’s health care program
• Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
• Travel to and from Australia for five years
• Apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the residency requirements

Main Criteria

The Australian Department of Home Affairs manages the Parent Visa system. Sponsors must be “settled,” which generally means they have been lawfully residing in Australia for at least two years. This period can include time spent on temporary visas.

To qualify for the visa, the applicant must pass the balance of family test. This test requires that at least half of the applicant’s children must live in Australia as Australian citizens or permanent residents, or that more of their children live in Australia than in any other country. The balance of family test includes all children, including stepchildren and adopted children from both parents.

Additionally, the applicant must be sponsored by an eligible person—usually their child—and must meet health and character requirements.

Visa Types

Subclass 143 – This is a permanent visa, also known as a “Contributory” visa due to its associated costs. The initial application fee is $4,895 for the primary applicant and $1,650 for a spouse. However, the second instalment for each applicant is $43,600. The processing time is approximately 12 years, and the visa is permanent from the date of approval. As of now, the Department of Home Affairs is processing Contributory Parent visa applications with queue dates up to July 2016.

The substantial second instalment fee is required to offset the benefits of permanent residency, such as healthcare, which the visa holder has not contributed towards through taxes like ordinary Australians.

Subclass 173 – This is a temporary visa with an initial government fee of $3,140 for the primary applicant and $1,570 for a spouse. Before the visa is granted, a second instalment of $29,130 must be paid. Processing takes approximately 12 years, and the visa is temporary for 2 years. Before it expires, the applicant must pay an additional $19,420 and apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa.

In all cases, the second instalment is required only after the applicant has passed health and character tests and the Assurance of Support (AoS) has been lodged with the Australian government. Second instalments are non-refundable, and a visa will not be granted if the second instalment is not paid.

Fees

The fees for Permanent Parent Visas are listed below. All fees are in AUD, and VisaEnvoy fees must be paid in full before lodging your visa application.

• VisaEnvoy Professional Fee – Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent- SC143): $4,500
• Application Fee – Main Applicant (at time of application): $4,895
• Dependant Application Fee (Spouse): $1,650
• 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision):
  • Main Applicant: $43,600
  • Spouse: $43,600

Note: A 1.4% credit card surcharge applies.

If you prefer to stagger the process, you can first apply for the Temporary Parent Visa (subclass 173), which is valid for 2 years. After that period, you can apply for the Permanent Visa. This approach offers a lower 2nd VAC fee of $29,130. At the permanent stage, 2 years later, a second payment of $19,420 is required. Once the first stage (SC143) is approved, the visa holder can live in Australia on the subclass 173 visa.

A 1.4% credit card surcharge applies.

If you wish to stagger the visa process, you can apply for the Temporary Parent Visa (subclass 173), which is valid for 2 years. After that period, you can apply for the Permanent Visa. This approach offers a lower second Visa Application Charge (VAC) of $29,130. When you apply for the permanent visa (subclass 143) two years later, you will need to pay an additional $19,420. Once your subclass 173 visa is approved, you can live in Australia while holding this temporary visa.

Fees for the subclass 173 > subclass 143 pathway are as follows:

Subclass 173 – Temporary Contributory Parent Visa

• VisaEnvoy Professional Fee: $4,500
• Application Fee (Main Applicant): $3,140
• Dependent Application Fee (Spouse): $1,570
• 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision, Main Applicant): $29,130
• 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision, Spouse): $29,130

Subclass 143 – Permanent Contributory Parent Visa

• VisaEnvoy Professional Fee: $2,000
• Application Fee (Main Applicant): $430
• Dependent Application Fee (Spouse): $220
• 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision, Main Applicant): $19,420
• 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision, Spouse): $19,420

A 1.4% credit card surcharge applies to all fees.

Assurance of Support (AoS) An Assurance of Support (AoS) is required at the time of decision. For two applicants, this is currently $14,000. The bond is refunded ten years after you enter Australia as a holder of the contributory parent visa, minus any debts owed to the Australian government.

Length of Stay
Permanent

Processing Times for the 143 Visa
If you are over 65 years old, the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) might be a better option, as it allows you to stay in Australia while your application is being processed.

Medicare
If you have applied for a Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143) and currently hold a temporary 173 or 884 visa, you can enroll in Medicare.

Visa Caps for the 2023-24 Financial Year
For the 2023-2024 financial year, the maximum number of family visas that may be granted for Contributory Parent visas is:

• 6,800 visas for the following subclasses:
  • Contributory Parent (Migrant) Subclass 143, which includes 112 visas under the Pathway to Permanent Residence for Retirees (Retiree Pathway)
  • Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) Subclass 864
  • Contributory Parent (Temporary) Subclass 173
  • Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Subclass 884