Parents of Australians from New Zealand 2026: Parent Visa Subclass 103/143 and 804/864 options

If you're a New Zealand citizen with parents living across the Tasman, bringing them to Australia permanently might be within reach. Australia offers several parent visa options that allow eligible Kiwis to sponsor their parents for permanent residency, though the process involves strict eligibility tests, substantial costs, and lengthy processing times. Understanding the differences between contributory and non-contributory visas—and knowing which pathway suits your family's circumstances—is essential for making an informed decision.

Understanding Australia's Parent Visa Categories

Australia provides four main permanent parent visa pathways, divided into two categories: contributory visas (faster processing, higher costs) and non-contributory visas (lower costs, much longer waits).^[1]

Contributory Parent Visas: The Faster Route

The contributory pathway includes two permanent options:

• Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa: For parents of any age who meet the Balance of Family Test
• Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa: Specifically for parents who've reached pension age

Contributory visas grant permanent residency with full rights, including access to Medicare, work and study permissions, and the ability to sponsor other family members.^[1] However, they come with a substantial price tag—approximately AUD $50,000+ per parent in government fees alone, plus a mandatory Assurance of Support (AoS) bond of AUD $10,000.^[2]

There's also a temporary two-stage option (Subclass 173 and 884) that allows parents to enter Australia temporarily before transitioning to permanent residency, offering more flexibility with payment spread across two visas.^[1]

Non-Contributory Parent Visas: The Budget Option

If cost is your primary concern, non-contributory visas are significantly cheaper:

• Subclass 103 – Parent Visa: For parents of any age (approximately AUD $4,990 in government fees)
• Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa: For parents who've reached pension age

The trade-off is substantial: processing queues for non-contributory visas can stretch up to 30 years.^[2] These visas still grant permanent residency with the same rights as contributory visas, but the waiting period makes them impractical for many families.

The Critical Balance of Family Test

Before exploring visa costs and processing times, your parents must pass the Balance of Family Test^[1]—one of the most common reasons applications are rejected.

Your parents meet this test if either:

• At least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or
• More children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country^[3]

For example, if your parents have three children and two live in Australia while one remains in New Zealand, they'd pass the test. However, if they have four children split evenly between Australia and New Zealand, they wouldn't qualify.

Some applicants are exempt from this test—notably those who held a Subclass 173, 884, or substituted Subclass 600 visa at the time of application.^[1]

Sponsorship Requirements for Kiwis

As a New Zealand citizen sponsoring your parents, you must meet specific criteria. You need to be:

• An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen^[1]
• Settled in Australia (typically having lived there for at least 2 years)^[1]
• Willing to provide financial and moral support to your parents^[1]

Importantly, New Zealand citizens can sponsor parent visas, but you'll need to demonstrate your settled status in Australia. If you're still in New Zealand, you won't be able to sponsor your parents until you've established yourself as a resident.

The Assurance of Support: A Financial Commitment

All permanent parent visas—whether contributory or non-contributory—require an Assurance of Support (AoS).^[1] This is a financial bond that commits you to repay certain social security payments your parents might receive, ensuring they don't become a burden on government welfare.

The AoS bond is valid for 10 years and involves a significant financial commitment from you as the sponsor.^[1] You'll need to demonstrate sufficient income to meet these obligations, which adds another layer of financial planning to the sponsorship process.

Processing Times and Visa Quotas

Australia's parent visa program operates under a strict annual cap. The total Parent Migration Program quota is capped at 8,500 visas per year across all parent visa types.^[4] Of these, 6,800 places are allocated to contributory visas (Subclass 143, 864, 173, and 884 combined).^[4]

This quota system creates significant backlogs, particularly for non-contributory visas. Contributory visas process faster than non-contributory options, but "faster" is relative—you're still looking at multi-year waits rather than decades.^[4]

Costs Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay

Understanding the full cost picture is crucial for financial planning:

Visa Type	Government Fees (2026)	Additional Costs	Key Notes
Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent)	AUD $50,000+	AoS bond AUD $10,000	Fastest PR option; paid in instalments
Subclass 173 → 143 (Two-step)	Split across two visas	AoS bond required for 143	Flexible payment plan
Subclass 103 (Non-contributory Parent)	~AUD $4,990	AoS bond AUD $10,000	Budget option; 30-year queue
Subclass 804 (Aged Parent)	Lower than 103	AoS bond AUD $10,000	For pension-age parents

The two-step pathway (Subclass 173 then 143) can be attractive if you want to spread costs over time, allowing your parents to enter Australia temporarily while you save for the permanent transition.

The Application Process: Key Steps

Preparing a parent visa application requires careful organisation. You'll need to gather:

• Your parents' passports and identity documents
• Birth certificates or evidence of your relationship to them
• Your proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand status
• Evidence for the Balance of Family Test (addresses of all siblings to show where they live)
• Police certificates for character assessment (for your parents)
• Medical assessments and health checks
• Financial evidence and AoS documentation if applicable^[2]

Don't leave health checks to the last minute—medical examinations are requested during active assessment, and delays here can slow your entire application.^[1] Police certificates should also be prepared early, as expired certificates can cause complications.^[1]

Key Differences Between Visa Subclasses

Choosing between Subclass 103 and 143 (or 804 and 864 for aged parents) comes down to your circumstances:

Factor	Non-Contributory (103/804)	Contributory (143/864)
Cost	~AUD $4,990	AUD $50,000+
Processing Time	Up to 30 years	Several years (faster than non-contributory)
Outcome	Permanent residency	Permanent residency
Best For	Budget-conscious families with time	Families wanting faster reunification

Special Considerations for New Zealand Citizens

As a Kiwi sponsoring your parents, a few points are worth noting:

You're eligible to sponsor, but you must be settled in Australia—meaning you've established permanent residency or citizenship yourself. If you're still in New Zealand working or studying, you'll need to move to Australia first.

Your parents' location when applying matters. For most Subclass 143 applicants (non-Retirement Pathway), they must be outside Australia when the visa is granted, though they can visit on a temporary visa while waiting.^[1] However, if they're transitioning from a Subclass 173 temporary visa or Retirement Pathway, different rules apply.^[1]

Making Your Decision: Which Visa Is Right?

The choice between contributory and non-contributory parent visas ultimately depends on your family's priorities:

Choose Subclass 143/864 (Contributory) if: You want to bring your parents to Australia within a reasonable timeframe and can afford the substantial upfront costs. This is the practical choice for most families wanting to reunite within years rather than decades.

Choose Subclass 103/804 (Non-contributory) if: Cost is your primary concern and you're willing to wait an extended period. This might suit families where parents are younger and can wait, or where financial constraints make the contributory option impossible.

Consider the Two-Step Pathway (173/884 then 143) if: You want flexibility with costs. This allows your parents to enter Australia temporarily while you save for the permanent transition, though they'll eventually need to move to permanent residency through Subclass 143 or 864.

Next Steps: Getting Started

If you're serious about bringing your parents to Australia, start by:

1. Verify eligibility: Confirm you're settled in Australia and your parents pass the Balance of Family Test
2. Gather documentation: Collect all required documents early, particularly health checks and police certificates
3. Calculate costs: Determine whether contributory or non-contributory visas fit your budget
4. Seek professional advice: Consider consulting a migration lawyer or agent to ensure your application is error-free and optimised
5. Prepare your parents: Discuss the process, timeline, and expectations with them

Bringing your parents from New Zealand to Australia is achievable, but it requires careful planning, substantial financial commitment, and patience. The pathway you choose will shape how quickly you can reunite as a family, so take time to understand your options fully.