Aus Visa Library

Understanding Student Visas for Australia

Visas
Understanding Student Visas for Australia
The guide explains how Australian citizens and residents can sponsor their parents for visas, detailing temporary and permanent options, eligibility, costs, and the application process for each pathway.

Sponsoring a Parent to Visit or Migrate to Australia: The Complete Guide

Bringing your parents to Australia, whether for a visit or permanent migration, is a wish that many Australians share. Understanding how to navigate the complex Australian Visa and migration systems is key, not only for a successful sponsorship but also for ensuring your parents’ well-being. This comprehensive resource explains every aspect of sponsoring a parent—from temporary visits to permanent settlement.

What Does Sponsoring a Parent to Australia Mean?

Sponsoring a parent refers to a formal process where an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen supports their parent’s application for an Australian Visa, either for a temporary stay (visitor visa) or for migration (parent visa). Sponsorship is a central requirement, reflecting Australia’s commitment to family reunion, while managing migration risk and ensuring social support.

Why Is Parental Sponsorship Important?

  • Family Reunion: It enables families separated by borders to reunite, often after many years apart.
  • Community Wellbeing: Allowing parents to visit or live with their children can improve emotional well-being for migrants and carers alike.
  • Supports Diversity: Strengthens multicultural bonds and supports community cohesion.

Types of Parent Sponsorship: Visitor vs. Migration

Australian migration law offers several visa options, with sponsorship rules and processes differing vastly between short-term and permanent immigration.

1. Visitor Visas for Parents

Key Options

  • Subclass 600 Visitor Visa (Sponsored Family Stream):

    • Temporary visa for parents to visit Australia.
    • Maximum stay generally up to 12 months per visit, sometimes up to 3 or 5 years for parents of Australian citizens/Permanent Residents.
    • Sponsorship required from the Australian-based child.

  • Frequent Traveller Stream (for Chinese passport holders):

    • Longer-term multiple entry visa, up to 3 years.

Who Applies?

  • Parents wishing to visit their Australian children for holidays, births, care, or special occasions.

Key Features:

  • Multiple entries may be granted.
  • The visa holder cannot work.
  • Health and character checks required.
  • May require an approved sponsor and a security bond.

Application Process

  1. Receive invitation from your Australian sponsor (the child residing in Australia).
  2. Complete and lodge the correct visitor visa application online (ImmiAccount).
  3. Provide supporting documents (proof of relationship, reasons for visit, evidence of intent to return, financial details).
  4. The sponsor may be asked to provide a bond (usually AUD 5,000–15,000).
  5. Wait for processing and decision (3–6 months typical, varies by country).

2. Parent Visas (Migration)

Key Visa Pathways

  • Subclass 103 Parent Visa

    • Permanent residency pathway, long queue (up to 30+ years).
    • Substantial eligibility and balance of family test applies.
    • Application cost: Over AUD 6,000 (primary applicant), paid in stages.

  • Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa

    • Permanent residency, expedited processing (5–6 years).
    • High cost: Around AUD 48,365 (main applicant; as of 2024).
    • A two-stage process: Subclass 173 temporary (part-payment, 2 years), then Subclass 143 (rest of payment; permanent).

  • Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa

    • Stay up to 3 or 5 years, renewable (max 10 years).
    • Does not lead to PR, but allows longer stays.
    • Applying costs: AUD 5,735 for 3 years, AUD 11,470 for 5 years (payable in two installments).

Who is Eligible to Sponsor?

  • Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • 18 years or older.
  • Lawful resident in Australia for at least two years.
  • Pass income test (minimum taxable income threshold for Subclass 870).
  • Not have outstanding debts to the Australian government.
  • In some cases, only one sponsor per household is allowed at any given time.

Key Requirements

  • Balance of Family Test:

    • For permanent parent visas (Subclass 103 & 143), at least half of the applicant’s children must live lawfully and permanently in Australia.

  • Assurance of Support:

    • For permanent parent visas, an Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial commitment to support the parent(s) and repay any welfare costs.

Application Process

  1. Sponsor (the child) submits sponsorship application and documents.

  2. Parent applies for the chosen visa subclass.

  3. Health and police checks are conducted.

  4. Processing times (as of 2024):

    • Subclass 103: 30+ years
    • Subclass 143: 5–6 years
    • Subclass 870: 3–5 months

  5. On grant, permanent visas give full PR rights; Subclass 870 gives a temporary stay, with no access to Medicare or most welfare.

Costs

  • Application fees (see above; non-refundable if refused).
  • Assurance of Support bonds (AUD 10,000 for one parent, AUD 14,000 for two for AoS).
  • Medical and police certificate costs.
  • Additional costs for document certification, translation, migration agent/legal fees if used.

Key Benefits and Features

  • Family Reunion: Enables parents and children to reconnect.
  • Uplifted Social Support: Parents can live with or closer to their caretakers.
  • Visa Flexibility: Several options for short- and long-term stays.
  • Pathway to Citizenship: For permanent parent visas (Subclass 103, 143), eventual eligibility for citizenship (if conditions met).