Family visas
Many skilled migrants and permanent residents build their lives in Australia and later wish to reunite with their parents and close family members. Australia offers several family visa options, ranging from short-term visits to permanent residence. The right pathway depends on your family circumstances, longterm plans, and tolerance for cost and waiting times.
At Mark Sekerin Migration, we help families understand these options clearly and design lawful, practical strategies that work in real life.
Parent Visa Options (Permanent Residence)
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
This is the most common permanent visa for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Important note on processing times: Parent visas are subject to strict annual caps and queues. Processing times can change significantly and should never be relied upon for short-term planning.
• Permanent residence in Australia
• Higher government charges, but significantly shorter processing times than noncontributory options
• Requires sponsorship by the child in Australia
• Balanceoffamily test applies
This visa is often the preferred longterm solution for families who can manage the upfront cost in exchange for certainty and time.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
The Aged Parent Visa is available to parents who are already in Australia and meet the age requirement for the Age Pension.
• Permanent residence
• Extremely long processing queues (often decades)
• Applicants may remain in Australia on a bridging visa while waiting
This option is typically used as a lawful longterm stay strategy rather than a realistic expectation of early grant.
Bridging Visas While Waiting
Parents who lodge an onshore Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) are generally granted a bridging visa allowing them to remain lawfully in Australia while the application is pending.
Depending on individual circumstances, the bridging visa may:
• allow full work rights; and
• provide access to Medicare.
Careful planning is essential when transitioning from a visitor visa to a parent visa application to avoid unlawful stay or restrictive conditions.
Temporary Options for Parents and Relatives
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
Suitable for shortterm or repeat visits by parents, relatives, and friends.
• Tourist stream – flexible option for short visits
• Sponsored Family stream – may require an Australian sponsor and a security bond
• Parent visitor stream – longer validity (often up to 3 years) for parents who wish to visit regularly without migrating
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
Allows parents to live in Australia temporarily for extended periods.
• Stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time
• Maximum stay of up to 10 years (no permanent residence)
• No balanceoffamily test
• Sponsoring child must be approved and meet income requirements
This visa is commonly used to allow families time together while awaiting eligibility for, or outcomes of, permanent parent visa pathways.
Choosing the Right Path
Each family visa carries different costs, processing times, and longterm consequences. Combining temporary and permanent options — such as using a visitor or subclass 870 visa while planning for a subclass 143 or 804 — often provides the most balanced and lawful outcome.
We provide clear advice based on experience, not optimism, and focus on strategies that protect your family’s status while maximising time together in Australia.
Book a Consultation
Speak directly with Mark Sekerin, Registered Migration Agent, to discuss the most suitable parent or family visa pathway for your circumstances — and how to lawfully bring parents to Australia, whether temporarily or permanently.
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
This is the most common permanent visa for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Important note on processing times: Parent visas are subject to strict annual caps and queues. Processing times can change significantly and should never be relied upon for short-term planning.
• Permanent residence in Australia
• Higher government charges, but significantly shorter processing times than noncontributory options
• Requires sponsorship by the child in Australia
• Balanceoffamily test applies
This visa is often the preferred longterm solution for families who can manage the upfront cost in exchange for certainty and time.
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
The Aged Parent Visa is available to parents who are already in Australia and meet the age requirement for the Age Pension.
• Permanent residence
• Extremely long processing queues (often decades)
• Applicants may remain in Australia on a bridging visa while waiting
This option is typically used as a lawful longterm stay strategy rather than a realistic expectation of early grant.
Bridging Visas While Waiting
Parents who lodge an onshore Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) are generally granted a bridging visa allowing them to remain lawfully in Australia while the application is pending.
Depending on individual circumstances, the bridging visa may:
• allow full work rights; and
• provide access to Medicare.
Careful planning is essential when transitioning from a visitor visa to a parent visa application to avoid unlawful stay or restrictive conditions.
Temporary Options for Parents and Relatives
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
Suitable for shortterm or repeat visits by parents, relatives, and friends.
• Tourist stream – flexible option for short visits
• Sponsored Family stream – may require an Australian sponsor and a security bond
• Parent visitor stream – longer validity (often up to 3 years) for parents who wish to visit regularly without migrating
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
Allows parents to live in Australia temporarily for extended periods.
• Stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time
• Maximum stay of up to 10 years (no permanent residence)
• No balanceoffamily test
• Sponsoring child must be approved and meet income requirements
This visa is commonly used to allow families time together while awaiting eligibility for, or outcomes of, permanent parent visa pathways.
Choosing the Right Path
Each family visa carries different costs, processing times, and longterm consequences. Combining temporary and permanent options — such as using a visitor or subclass 870 visa while planning for a subclass 143 or 804 — often provides the most balanced and lawful outcome.
We provide clear advice based on experience, not optimism, and focus on strategies that protect your family’s status while maximising time together in Australia.
Book a Consultation
Speak directly with Mark Sekerin, Registered Migration Agent, to discuss the most suitable parent or family visa pathway for your circumstances — and how to lawfully bring parents to Australia, whether temporarily or permanently.
Let’s Discuss Your Visa Strategy
Every case starts with a conversation.
Contact me to arrange a confidential initial consultation — online or in person.
Contact me to arrange a confidential initial consultation — online or in person.
Let’s Discuss Your Visa Strategy
Every case starts with a conversation.
Contact me to arrange a confidential initial consultation — online or in person.
Contact me to arrange a confidential initial consultation — online or in person.
