Visa file / Partner and family visas
Parent visa 103
Permanent parent visa, applied for outside Australia. New applications face a queue estimated at about 42 years.
In force
Who it is for
Parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who meet the balance of family test, applying from outside Australia.
Published eligibility
- Balance of family test: at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more live in Australia than in any other single country.
- A sponsor, usually a settled child.
- An Assurance of Support, requested later in processing.
- Health (no health waiver) and character.
Where you apply from
Outside Australia.
Related
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
First enquiry
You tell the registered migration agent your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
Where a registered migration agent can helpIdentifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
- 02
Honest options
Compare queue times and costs with contributory and temporary parent options.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains queues and costs so the family can plan.
- 03
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 04
Balance of family evidence
Evidence for every child, including step-children.
Where a registered migration agent can helpCalculates the balance of family test carefully.
- 05
Lodge online
Applications are lodged online in ImmiAccount.
Where a registered migration agent can helpLodges a complete application.
- 06
Queue
After the core criteria are met you receive a queue date and wait for release.
Where a registered migration agent can helpKeeps the case ready for release.
- 07
Final processing
Health, police, Assurance of Support and second instalment.
Where a registered migration agent can helpCoordinates the final steps.
- 08
Grant
Permanent residence.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans settlement.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| First instalment, main applicant | A$6,600 |
| First instalment, family member 18 or over | A$3,300 |
| First instalment, family member under 18 | A$1,655 |
| Second instalment, each person | A$2,065 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated time for new applications | about 42 years | Not published |
Home Affairs parent visa queue release dates, as at 31 August 2026. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Balance of family test not met.
- Health or character.
- Sponsor not eligible.
- Assurance of Support or second instalment not provided.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Parent
Children
Sponsor
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
- Home Affairs: Parent visa (subclass 103)
- Home Affairs: balance of family test
- Home Affairs: parent visa queue release dates
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.