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47PA (Design date 01/19) - Page 4 © COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, 2019
If you are applying for a parent visa
(not as a retiree)
General information on parent visas
Detailed information on parent visas is available on the
Department’s website
www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/brin/pare
It is important that you thoroughly read the information so you
can decide whether or not you are eligible to apply and be
granted a parent visa. For example:
• you must be a parent of a child who is an Australian citizen,
Australia permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen;
• at the time your application is lodged your child must be
settled in Australia (in most cases, resident for at least 2 years)
and must sponsor you;
• you must pass the Balance of Family test (see page 5);
• you must meet health and character requirements;
• as well as providing evidence of paying the first instalment
of the VAC when you lodge your application and meeting
the requirements listed above, you will need to pay a second
instalment of the VAC (second VAC);
• if you are applying for any permanent parent visa, you will also
be required to provide an acceptable Assurance of Support
and provide evidence of payment of an Assurance of Support
bond before a visa can be granted;
• if you are applying for any parent visa that has the word
‘aged’ in the title, then the main applicant must meet the age
requirement (see page 5).
Parent visa options
The type of parent visa you apply for is an important choice for
you. Therefore, please ensure that you apply for the parent visa
that is most appropriate for your personal circumstances.
Parent visas are divided into 2 categories:
• Parent category (subclasses 103 and 804); and
• Contributory Parent category (subclasses 143, 173, 864 and 884).
The Australian Government allocates only a limited number of
parent visa places each year as part of the annual Migration Program.
All parent visa applicants will wait in a queue before a visa decision.
There are comparatively more places available in the Contributory
Parent category. Applicants can generally expect their applications
to be finalised in less time than a Parent category visa applicant.
Processing times for Parent category visas and Contributory
Parent category visas can vary depending on demand and annual
migration planning levels.
To avoid unnecessary delays you should ensure that your
application form is complete and all relevant supporting
documentation is submitted at the time of lodgement.
For information on current processing times see the Department’s
website www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Contributory Parent category visas have a substantially higher
second VAC and a higher Assurance of Support bond payment
and period.
To check the amount of the Contributory Parent Second VAC,
refer to the Department’s website
www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/fees or check with the
nearest office of the Department.
If you are applying for a parent visa as a retiree
General information on parent visas as a retiree
Detailed information on parent visas is available on the
Department’s website www.homeaffairs.gov.au
It is important that you thoroughly read the information so you can
decide whether you are eligible to apply and be granted a parent visa.
The Australian Government allocates only a limited number of
places to retirees as part of the annual Migration Program.
A ‘retiree’ is a person who:
• on 8 May 2018 either held an Investor Retirement (subclass 405)
visa or a Retirement (subclass 410) visa, or the last substantive
visa held was an Investor Retirement (subclass 405) visa or a
Retirement (subclass 410) visa; and
• has not held any other type of substantive visa since 8 May 2018
until the date of this application.
A ‘substantive’ visa is any visa that allows the visa holder to
remain temporarily in Australia other than a bridging visa, a
criminal justice or enforcement visa.
‘Partner’ means your spouse or de facto partner.
A retiree must be in Australia to apply for a Parent (subclass 103)
or Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa.
Parent visa options as a retiree
Parent
(Class AX – Migrant) (subclass 103)
Contributory Parent
(Class CA – Migrant) (subclass 143)
If you are applying for a parent visa as a retiree:
• you can include your partner, if you have one, in your parent
visa application, however that person must also be a retiree;
• your (and your partner’s) children cannot be included in your
parent visa application;
• you (and your partner) must be in Australia at time of
lodgement of a Parent (subclass 103) or Contributory Parent
(subclass 143) visa;
• you (and your partner) can be in or outside Australia, but not in
immigration clearance, when the parent visa is granted;
• you do not have to meet the Balance of Family test or have an
Assurance of Support or sponsor;
• you (and your partner) are expected to maintain adequate
arrangements for health insurance for the purpose of your stay
in Australia, until you are granted a parent visa.
Contributory Parent visas have a substantially higher second VAC
and a shorter processing time than a parent visa. To check the
amount of the Contributory Parent second VAC, refer to the
Department’s website www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/fees
or check with the nearest office of the Department.
Including family members in your application
In your visa application you will be asked for information about
each member of your family unit (such as your partner and your
children). Your children and your partner’s children are not
able to migrate with you, however you must complete
their details as applicable at Part G, Part H and Part J in
the application form.
You should ensure that you read and understand form 1496i
Including family members in your application, before completing
this form. Form 1496i is available from the Department’s website
www.homeaffairs.gov.au/allforms/ or offices of the Department.
Note: If you have members of your family unit who are 18 years
of age or over, please obtain form 47A Details of child or other
dependent family member aged 18 years or over. A form 47A
must be completed for each member of your family unit 18 years
of age or over, whether or not that person is migrating.