Permanent Residency for Parents of Australian Residents

If you’re a parent and your child is living permanently in Australia, the Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa may allow you to join your family in Australia as a permanent resident.

Who Can Sponsor You?

To apply, you must be sponsored by:

• Your child; or

• Your child’s spouse or partner

Your sponsor must generally be:

• An Australian citizen

• An Australian permanent resident; or

• An eligible New Zealand citizen

Your sponsor must usually be settled in Australia and meet the relevant sponsorship requirements.

In some circumstances, an approved community organisation may also act as a sponsor.

Sponsors must also meet other requirements, including character requirements.

What Is the Balance of Family Test?

The Balance of Family Test is one of the key requirements for most parent visa applicants.

To meet this requirement:

• At least half of your children must be eligible children living permanently in Australia; or

• More of your children must live permanently in Australia than in any other single country

The test considers eligible children, including biological and adopted children, and may include stepchildren in certain circumstances.

This requirement can be complex. We can help assess whether you meet the Balance of Family Test as part of your visa assessment.

Visa Costs – What Does "Contributory" Mean?

The term “contributory” refers to the higher visa application charges paid by applicants in exchange for generally faster processing compared with non-contributory parent visa options.

The Subclass 143 visa involves significant government charges, which are paid in stages.

Visa fees change periodically, so applicants should confirm the current Department of Home Affairs charges at the time of application.

Want to spread the cost?

You may be able to apply for the temporary Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173) first and later apply for the Subclass 143 permanent visa.

This option allows payments to be spread over time, although the total cost is generally higher.

What Is an Assurance of Support?

An Assurance of Support is a financial undertaking provided by an eligible person or organisation to help ensure the visa applicant does not rely on certain government payments after arriving in Australia.

For Contributory Parent visas, the Assurance of Support period generally applies for 10 years.

Special Rules for Retirees

If you previously held a Subclass 405 Investor Retirement visa or Subclass 410 Retirement visa before 8 May 2018, you may have access to transitional arrangements.

These arrangements may allow eligible applicants to apply without meeting some standard parent visa requirements.

What You Get With a 143 Visa

Once granted, the Subclass 143 visa provides Australian permanent residency, including:

• The ability to live, work and study in Australia

• Access to Medicare, if eligible

• The ability to apply for Australian citizenship if you meet eligibility requirements

• The ability to include your partner in the same application (where eligible)

Do You Qualify?

Parent visas involve complex eligibility requirements, significant costs and lengthy processing periods.

We’ll help you understand:

• Your sponsorship options

• Balance of Family Test eligibility

• Visa costs and requirements

• Supporting documentation

• The application process

Take our free visa assessment today.

Let ThinkOz Migration’s MARA-registered migration agent guide you through every step of your parent visa journey.

Am I Eligible for a Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa?

You may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa if you meet the following requirements:

• You pass the balance of family test
  You must meet the Balance of Family Test by showing that:

  • At least half of your eligible children live permanently in Australia; or

  • More of your eligible children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country

  This requirement is complex, and the Department applies specific rules when determining which children are counted.

• You meet health and character requirements
  You and any family members included in your application must meet Australia's health and character requirements.

• You don’t owe money to the Australian Government
  You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.

  If you do have a debt, you may need to have an approved repayment arrangement in place before the visa can be granted.

• You have an eligible sponsor
  Your sponsor must generally be:

  • Your child or your child’s spouse/partner

  • An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

  • Settled in Australia and able to meet the sponsorship requirements

  Your sponsor must also meet other requirements, including character requirements.