Parent Visa Australia — How to Bring Your Indian Parents (2026)

Bringing parents to Australia permanently is one of the most common goals of Indian migrants who have settled here. The Australian parent visa system offers pathways, but they require significant patience — waiting times run into decades for most subclasses — and substantial financial commitment.

This guide explains your options clearly.

The Two Parent Visa Categories

Standard Parent Visa — Subclass 103

The cheapest parent visa, but the longest wait.

• Cost: Application fee is relatively low (verify at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — approximately $4,000–$5,000 for the primary applicant)
• Queue: Applications lodged now are not expected to be processed for 20+ years
• Assurance of Support: Required — a bond paid to the government to cover potential social security costs
• Best for: Families who are happy to wait decades and want the lowest cost option; parents must maintain health and character eligibility throughout the queue

Contributory Parent Visa — Subclass 143 (permanent) and 173 (temporary)

The faster, more expensive option.

• Cost: Approximately $47,000–$48,000 AUD for the primary applicant in 2026 (the "contributory" part — this is a visa application charge, not a refundable bond). Secondary applicants (the other parent) pay an additional fee. Verify exact current fees at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
• Processing time: Currently 3–5 years from lodgement (still long, but far shorter than the 103)
• How 173/143 works: You can lodge for the temporary 173 first (lower upfront fee), then transition to the permanent 143 after the 173 is granted
• Best for: Families who want their parents in Australia within their working lifetime and can afford the cost

Use the Visa Fee Calculator to see current parent visa fees: → Visa Fee Calculator

The Balance of Family Test

To be eligible for a parent visa, your parent must pass the balance of family test. This means:

• At least half of their children must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, OR
• More of their children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country

For Indian families: If both parents are applying and they have, say, 2 children — one in Australia (PR) and one in India — only the Australian-based child counts. In this case the test passes if more children are in Australia than in any other single country. If the child in Australia is the only child, the test passes automatically.

If a parent has 3 children — 1 in Australia, 2 in India — they may not pass the test. Consider this carefully before lodging.

Assurance of Support (AoS)

For most parent visas, the sponsoring child must pay an Assurance of Support (AoS) bond to the Australian government. This is a 10-year bond that covers the cost of any social security payments your parents might receive.

The AoS is returned (without interest) after 10 years if your parents have not claimed any means-tested social security payments.

For contributory parent visas, the AoS is separate from the large visa application charge.

What to Do While You Wait — Visitor Visas

Because the queue for parent visas is so long, many Indian families use visitor visas to bring parents for extended stays while waiting.

Subclass 600 Tourist visa (visitor stream):

• Can be granted for up to 12 months
• Typically allows stays of 3 or 6 months per visit
• Can be granted multiple-entry — parents can travel back to India and return
• Does not lead to PR
• Your parents must genuinely intend to visit (not stay permanently) — overstaying tourist visas is a serious issue that affects future visa applications

Stay duration on a tourist visa: Many Indian parents visit on 3-month tourist visas and then extend or reapply. The Department watches for patterns of extended continuous stay that suggest the intent is to live in Australia rather than visit.

If you need your parents here for an extended period, consult a migration agent about appropriate visa options — including the subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.

Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa — Subclass 870

The 870 is a newer option that allows parents to stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years at a time, with the option to renew, up to a maximum of 10 years total.

• Annual fee: Approximately $5,000 per year (paid upfront for the duration — so $15,000 for a 3-year visa or $25,000 for a 5-year visa). Verify current fees.
• Who can sponsor: An Australian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 and meets income and other requirements
• Work rights: None — parents on an 870 cannot work in Australia
• Medicare: Access to Medicare (bilateral healthcare agreement with India applies)
• Does it lead to PR? No — the 870 is temporary only. It does not count toward any permanent visa pathway
• Best for: Families who want parents in Australia for extended periods while waiting for the contributory parent visa to process, or as a long-term solution if the cost of the 143 is prohibitive

Medicare for Indian Parents on a Visitor Visa

India and Australia have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). Indian citizens visiting Australia on a tourist or eligible temporary visa are entitled to access Medicare for medically necessary treatment during their visit.

This means your parents can see a bulk-billing GP, receive emergency hospital treatment, and fill some PBS prescriptions at no cost. However:

• Complex planned procedures are not covered
• Dental is not covered
• The RHCA does not cover everything — private health insurance for visitors is strongly recommended

Practical Considerations for Indian Parents in Australia

Health: Australian winters and the change in diet and climate can affect elderly parents. Arrange GP registration early. AustraliaWasi lists Hindi-speaking doctors across all major cities.

Language: Many Indian parents speak limited English. Government services (Centrelink, Medicare) offer interpreter services. Community organisations run in-language support.

Community: Most Indian parents adjust better to cities with established Indian communities — Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane all have large communities with temples, cultural events, Indian grocers, and social groups for seniors.

Find Hindi-speaking doctors, Indian community groups, and senior services near you: → Browse Directory

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parents work in Australia on a visitor visa?

No. Visitor visa holders cannot work in Australia.

My parents want to stay for 6 months. Can they renew their visitor visa from inside Australia?

Yes — a subclass 600 tourist visa can be applied for from inside Australia. However, continuous long-term stays may raise concerns about the genuine visitor intent. A migration agent can advise on the right approach.

I am on a 482 temporary visa. Can I sponsor my parents for a parent visa?

No — only Australian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor parents for a permanent parent visa. For the 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary visa, you also need to be a citizen or permanent resident.

The contributory parent visa costs $47,000+ — are there any lower-cost options?

The standard subclass 103 is significantly cheaper, but comes with a 20+ year wait. The 870 Sponsored Parent visa offers extended stays at a lower but recurring cost. There is no low-cost, fast path to permanent PR for parents.

Can I include both parents in one application?

Yes — the sponsoring child can include both parents in a single application. Both parents pay the applicable secondary applicant fees.

Last verified: pending — verify current fees, processing times, and AoS requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.