Australia offers several parent visas that allow parents of Australian citizen, permanent resident (PR), or an eligible New Zealand citizen to reunite with their families. Understanding the differences between the non-contributory and contributory parent visas can help you make an informed decision to meet your visa objectives for your family reunion.

What are the Types of Parent Visas?

Australia has both permanent and temporary parent visas, which are:

What are the Differences between Contributory vs Non‑Contributory Visas?

	Non‑contributory visas	Contributory visas
Visa Subclasses	SC103 and 804	SC143, 173, 864 and 884
Cost vs Time	Cheaper but entail decades‑long queues	Cost significantly more but are processed faster
Visa Application Charges (VAC) as of October 2025	From AUD7,345.00 over 2 instalments for the main applicant.	SC143 & SC864 - From AUD48,640.00 over 2 instalments for the main applicant.
		SC173 - From AUD32,525.00 over 2 instalments for the main applicant.
		SC884 - From AUD34,170.00 over 2 instalments for the main applicant.
Processing Time	Very long – up to 20 – 30 years	Faster – around 6 – 12 years
Bridging Visas	Yes, for SC 804, if lodged onshore. No bridging visas for SC103.	Yes, if visa application is lodged onshore
Age requirement	SC804 must be aged. SC103 has no age requirement.	SC864/884 must be aged. SC143/173 have no age requirement.

Tips for a Successful Application

With processing times stretching into years and possibly decades, gather documents and plan well in advance to ensure a smooth process. Parent Visa 2025: Current Wait Times and What You Can Do. Consider seeking professional advice from an immigration lawyer for a suitable visa pathway.
Review all children’s residency statuses and gather evidence to demonstrate that at least half reside permanently in Australia to meet the Balance of Family Test.
Most Parent visas have significant second instalments. Be prepared to pay both the initial application fee and the subsequent instalment when requested.
Maintain health and character compliance. Failing to do so can delay or jeopardise your application.
Migration laws change frequently. Consult with an experienced immigration lawyer to assist in navigating requirements and avoid costly mistakes.

To have a smooth parent visa application process, careful planning is required. Consider professional guidance and schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer at Agape Henry Crux in Sydney to ensure you start on the right foot. Our team of immigration lawyers works closely together with two of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can book a consultation to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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