The Parent Visa (103): Lower Cost, but a Very Long Wait.
The 103 is the budget-friendly way to bring your parents to Australia permanently. The catch is honest and important: the wait currently runs into decades. For some families it's still the right call. We'll help you decide with the real numbers in front of you.
The budget route - and you need to hear this plainly.
The 103 is the non-contributory parent visa for parents overseas who want permanent residence in Australia. It leads to the same permanent outcome as the contributory visa, but at a fraction of the cost - because you don't pay the large contribution. The difference shows up entirely in the wait.
You need to hear this plainly before you do anything else. The wait for the 103 currently stretches across decades, because the number of places granted each year is small compared to the queue. For older parents in particular, that can mean the visa may not come through within their lifetime. We say this not to discourage you, but so you can make a real decision.
Is it ever worth it? Sometimes, yes. If your parents are relatively young, if cost is the deciding factor, and if you're comfortable treating it as a long-term plan, the 103 can make sense. Some families also lodge it as a backstop while using other options to spend time together in the meantime.
The core requirements.
- A sponsor in AustraliaUsually you, their child, settled here as a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
- The balance of family testAt least half of your parents' children must live in Australia, or more than in any other country.
- An assurance of supportA financial commitment from the family toward your parents' costs here.
- Parents outside Australia when the visa is grantedPlus health and character requirements.
What the 103 trades off.
The 103 swaps money for time. It avoids the large contribution that the contributory pathway charges, but you pay for that with a queue measured in decades. The figures below are a rough guide only - government charges change, and we never quote a fixed total without looking at your circumstances.
| How it compares | Subclass 103 | Contributory pathway (143/173) |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Permanent residence | Permanent residence |
| Where parents apply from | Offshore (outside Australia) | Offshore or onshore options exist |
| Indicative cost | Roughly AUD 3,000 in government charges, depending on your circumstances - far lower | Substantially higher, because of the large contribution charge |
| Typical wait | Currently runs into decades | Generally years, not decades |
| Balance of family test | Applies - generally at least half your parents' children in Australia | Applies - same test |
About these figures. The roughly AUD 3,000 above is an illustrative guide to government charges only and depends on your circumstances - it is not a fixed price and excludes our professional fee, which we quote in writing. The contributory comparison is a rough indication, not a quote. See how we quote for the way our fees work.
For families who can't face the wait.
The contributory parent pathway (Subclass 143 [Contributory Parent] visa and Subclass 173 [Contributory Parent (Temporary)] visa) costs more but generally processes in years rather than decades. The Subclass 870 [Sponsored Parent (Temporary)] visa brings parents here for long stays without permanent residence at all. If your parents are already in Australia and meet the aged requirement, the Subclass 804 Aged Parent visa is the onshore counterpart to the 103. We'll talk you through whether the 103 is genuinely right for your family, or whether one of these is better suited to your circumstances. You can compare every parent visa pathway in one place on our parent visas overview.
Common questions.
Where to from here.
Where to from here.
Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)
Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.
Thinking about the 103?
Let's look at it honestly - whether it's the right call for your family's situation and age of your parents.