Parent Visa (subclass 103)
A permanent parent visa with lower government charges than contributory options, but very long queues that require realistic long-term planning.
- Status
- Permanent
- Age
- No aged-parent threshold
- Balance of family
- Generally required; exemptions may apply
- Where to apply
- In or outside Australia to apply, subject to visa conditions and pathway-specific rules.
What this visa allows
- Live permanently in Australia after grant.
- Work and study in Australia after grant.
- Enrol in Medicare as an eligible permanent resident; citizenship requires a separate application and eligibility.
Eligibility at a glance
- An eligible settled child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and an eligible sponsor, subject to applicable exemptions.
- Meet the Balance of Family Test, unless a specific exemption applies.
- Be able to obtain an Assurance of Support where required; sponsorship and Assurance of Support are separate requirements.
- Meet health, character and other applicable visa requirements.
- Meet the criteria for a valid application, including any pathway-specific requirements.
Important limitations
- This visa is capped and queued. Lower charges do not remove the risk of a very long wait; check current official queue information.
- Lodging subclass 103 does not automatically give permission to stay in Australia. Any stay while waiting needs a lawful basis.
- You cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870). Seek advice before choosing the order of applications.
- Being in Australia does not itself make an application valid. Current visa conditions, including any No Further Stay condition, and immigration history need assessment.
Costs and waiting times
Lower government charges than contributory options, with very long processing queues.
Government charges are separate from professional fees; other costs may apply. Check current amounts on the official subclass page rather than relying on a fixed quote here.
Check the Department’s current parent visa queue information. It is not a promised decision date.
Related pathway
Compare subclass 103 with contributory subclass 143. The meaningful trade-off is not only charges: consider queue length, health, family plans and the ability to maintain lawful status.
This is general information, not an individual eligibility assessment. Requirements, charges and processing change. Check the current position on the Department of Home Affairs page for subclass 103 (opens in a new tab).
About the 103
Not simply because they lodged this application. Their ability to remain depends on their existing visa and any other lawful arrangements. Obtain individual advice before making plans.
Subclass 103 generally has lower government charges, but substantially longer queues. Subclass 143 has higher charges and still involves substantial waits. Neither has a guaranteed decision date.
Home Affairs currently requires new subclass 103 applications online through ImmiAccount. Special pathways and application circumstances should be checked against the official instructions.
Your matter:
Parent Visa (subclass 103).
Selected service · Parent Visa (subclass 103)
A consultation assesses your circumstances, discusses realistic options and outlines possible next steps. It is not a visa or review application and not a representation agreement. Any further work, its scope and fees are agreed separately.
- 01Book your appointment
Choose an available appointment time and check the details before confirming.
Book appointment (opens booking page in a new tab) - 02Complete the visitor registration form
After booking, add your details and circumstances for your parent visa (subclass 103) consultation.
Complete registration form (opens in a new tab) - 03Attend your consultation
Appointments are normally by phone, via Zoom, or in person at our Melbourne office. Follow your appointment confirmation for the arrangements.
Urgent matter or approaching deadline? Call our office on 03 9620 3195 or mobile +61 415 997 528.Message (SMS)WhatsAppA booking does not lodge anything, preserve rights or extend a deadline.