Balance of Family test failure
The applicant does not have more children in Australia than in any other single country, and does not have at least half of their children usually resident in Australia. The most common refusal ground.
21 Days to Appeal · Health Waivers Often Critical
Parent visa refusals are especially difficult.
So much waiting and cost has usually gone into the application. Elderly parents, long processing times, large fees already paid. This page explains the most common parent visa refusal reasons and how appeals work at the ART. Our partner and family specialist Neha Sharma leads parent visa appeals.
Common refusal grounds
Five reasons parent visas get refused.
Understanding the refusal ground shapes the appeal strategy. The Balance of Family test is the most common.
Health requirement failure
Elderly applicants often have health conditions that fail the significant cost test. A health waiver (PIC 4005 or 4007) may be available but must be argued properly.
Assurance of Support problems
Sponsor's income falls below the required threshold, or the AoS bond cannot be provided as required.
Character issues
Past criminal records, association with organised groups, or other character concerns.
Sponsor character or residency
Sponsor is not usually resident in Australia, or has their own character problems that affect eligibility.
Appeals by visa type
Three parent visas. Same 21-day ART deadline.
Parent visa appeals are managed at the Administrative Review Tribunal. The 21-day deadline applies to all three subclasses.
Subclass 103 non-contributoryLong processing times mean appeals also take significant time. Most 103 refusals relate to the Balance of Family test or health requirements.
Subclass 143 contributoryBecause of the high cost and long wait that preceded the application, 143 refusals are particularly painful. Health waiver applications are especially important here.
Subclass 870 sponsored parent temporaryCommon refusal reasons relate to the sponsor's income threshold, sponsor's residence, or health requirements. See 870 guide.
ART appeal processFresh evidence admitted. Oral hearing possible. Documentary evidence often key. See ART process.
Health waivers
The single most important tool for elderly parent appeals.
The Subclass 143 and some other parent visa categories allow a health waiver under PIC 4007. Specialist preparation matters.
What a strong waiver includes
Medical reports detailing current condition and prognosis. Evidence of Australian healthcare costs attributable to the condition. Family context including the sponsor's capacity to contribute. Compelling and compassionate circumstances.
Settlement and community evidence
Evidence of settlement support and community connection. Impact on Australian family members, particularly children and grandchildren.
Specialist preparation
These are not routine applications. Evidence needs to be gathered from medical specialists, costed against published healthcare figures, and argued with reference to case law.
The Balance of Family test is one of the few visa tests where the outcome can change over time.
A child overseas moving to Australia, a child passing away, or a child marrying and becoming non-dependent can all alter the outcome. This means some parent visa refusals can be addressed by changes that happen naturally during the waiting period.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For parent visa appeals, book with Neha Sharma. For health waiver submissions, book with Prateek Maan.
My parent failed the health test. Is a waiver possible?
For the Subclass 143 and some other parent visa categories, yes. PIC 4007 waivers are available. Success requires specialist preparation including medical reports, cost evidence, and compelling circumstances. Not every case qualifies, but many do.
Can I add more children to the Balance of Family test on appeal?
The test is based on all of your children, not those you chose to include. Children in other countries must be declared. Sometimes children who became Australian residents during processing can help the test. We review the family tree carefully.
Can the 870 be appealed on similar grounds?
Yes. The 870 has the same ART appeal rights as permanent parent visas. 870 refusals usually relate to the sponsor's income or residence rather than Balance of Family, so the appeal evidence is different.
What if my sponsor's income dropped during processing?
Income is generally assessed at the time of sponsorship application, not throughout processing. Temporary drops during processing are usually not fatal, but permanent changes can affect the AoS. We assess this in the consultation.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.