Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
The faster (but very expensive) permanent parent visa for parents of Australians willing to pay a large contribution.
Official Australia pageWho this route is for
Parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who can pay the substantial 'contribution' to obtain PR more quickly than the non-contributory queue.
Eligibility requirements
- Have a child who is a settled Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen acting as sponsor.
- Meet the 'balance of family' test (at least half your children live permanently in Australia, or more live in Australia than in any other single country).
- Provide an Assurance of Support (a financial bond) before the second instalment is called.
- Pass health and character checks (the second instalment is called only after these pass).
- Pay the full first and second Visa Application Charges.
Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
Parent visas are capped (around 8,500 places across all parent subclasses per year), which is why even the 'fast' contributory route takes well over a decade. An Assurance of Support bond is required. A temporary contributory option (173) and onshore variants (864/884) also exist.
Other Australia routes
Partner visa - onshore (subclass 820/801)
PathwayTwo-stage onshore route for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian, leading to permanent residence.
Partner visa - offshore (subclass 309/100)
PathwayThe offshore equivalent of the partner route: a provisional 309 first, then the permanent 100.
Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
TemporaryThe 'fiance(e)' visa: enter Australia to marry your intended Australian partner, then apply for a partner visa.
Parent visa (subclass 103, non-contributory)
PermanentThe low-cost permanent parent visa - cheap to apply for, but with an extraordinarily long queue.