The applicant (parent)
Must be the parent of an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen. Must pass the Balance of Family test. Must meet health and character requirements. Must have an approved sponsor.
Non-Contributory Stream · Lower Fees, Much Longer Wait
The 103 gets you there eventually. Just not quickly.
Bringing your parents to Australia permanently is one of the most rewarding migration decisions a family can make. It is also, for the Subclass 103, one of the longest waits in the entire Australian migration system. This page tells you honestly what to expect, and what alternatives (like the Subclass 143 and the Subclass 870) might work better for your family.
What the Subclass 103 is
A permanent visa, with one big caveat.
The 103 is a permanent parent visa. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and must be the child of the applicant. The visa grants permanent residency on approval. The caveat is the wait.
The sponsor (child in Australia)
Must be an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen. Must usually be the parent's child (biological, step, or adopted). Usually settled in Australia for 2 years. Must commit to sponsor obligations.
The non-contributory difference
Called "non-contributory" because the application fee and Assurance of Support bond are much lower than for the Subclass 143. Real financial benefit, traded off against very long processing times.
The Balance of Family test
The single most important eligibility rule for every parent visa.
It determines whether you can apply at all. If you fail this test, no parent visa category is open to you. We assess it as the first thing at the consultation.
What the test requiresAt least half of your children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens usually living in Australia. OR more of your children must usually live in Australia than in any other single country.
Worked examples4 children, 1 in Australia: you fail. 3 children, 1 in Australia and 1 each in 2 other countries: you pass. Every child counts, including step-children, adopted children, and children from previous relationships.
How we assess itWe map your family tree, count children in Australia versus overseas, and tell you clearly whether you pass. If you do not, we discuss alternatives such as the remaining relative visa.
The long-wait reality
This is not a processing delay. It is the planning cap.
The 103 has historically had wait times of 30+ years. These are not processing delays. They reflect the annual planning cap on parent visa places set by the Government. The Department of Home Affairs publishes current wait estimates.
When the 103 still works
If both applicants are healthy middle-aged parents, the 103 may still be viable. The wait is long but the applicants will still be alive and well at the end of it.
When it does not work
If applicants are elderly or have health concerns, the 143 contributory stream (with its much shorter wait) is usually a better choice.
Why people still apply
The fees and AoS bond are significantly lower. For families where parents are relatively young and the child in Australia is not in a financial position for the 143, the 103 is sometimes the only realistic option.
Parent visas have the longest processing times of any Australian visa stream.
Often exceeding 20 to 30 years for the non-contributory pathways. This is not a processing failure. It is the result of an annual cap on how many parent visas can be granted each year, set by the Government's migration planning levels. The only way to significantly shorten the wait is to use the contributory stream (Subclass 143).
Sponsor obligations & health for elderly parents
Two areas where preparation changes outcomes.
The AoS bond and the health requirement are where parent visa applications often get stuck.
Assurance of Support (AoS)
The sponsor provides an AoS. Financial commitment backed by a bond. For the 103, the bond is lower than the 143. Ensures the parent will not rely on certain Australian social security payments.
Health waiver for elderly parents
For older applicants, health exams often turn up conditions that trigger the significant cost test. A health waiver may be needed. Handled by Prateek Maan.
Character & police clearances
Applicants aged 16+ need police clearances from every country lived in for 12+ months over the past 10 years. For older applicants who have lived in multiple countries, gathering these takes time.
Common parent visa questions
The questions we hear most.
For an honest assessment of your parent visa options, book with Neha Sharma.
What is the difference between the 103 and the 143?
The 103 is non-contributory with lower fees and a smaller AoS bond, but much longer wait times. The 143 is contributory with higher fees and a larger bond, but much shorter processing. Both lead to permanent residency.
Can my parent visit Australia while waiting for the 103?
Yes. Visitor visas (Subclass 600) and sponsored parent temporary visas (Subclass 870) are options for interim stays. These can bridge the long wait in useful ways.
My parents are elderly. Is the 103 still a good idea?
Probably not, because of the wait times. For elderly parents, the 143 contributory parent visa or the 870 sponsored parent temporary visa are usually more realistic. We assess this at the consultation.
Can I include my stepparent on the application?
Yes, stepparents qualify as parents under the Balance of Family test and as applicants for the parent visa, provided the relationship meets the Department's definition.
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.