Bring Your Parents to Australia Permanently with the 143 or 173 Visa

What Is the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143 and 173)?

Quick answer: The Contributory Parent visa lets the parent of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia. The subclass 143 is permanent; the subclass 173 is a two-year temporary visa that leads to the 143. Both require the balance of family test, a sponsor, a 10-year Assurance of Support and a large second instalment (the “contribution”). Home Affairs estimates about 18 years for a new contributory application.

The contributory parent visa Australia offers is the “pay more, wait less” option. If your parents have reached Age Pension age and are already in Australia, also look at the Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). All options are compared on our permanent parent visa Australia hub.

143 Visa Processing Time in 2026

The 143 visa processing time depends on how many parent visa places the government sets each year, not on how fast your file is checked. For 2026–27 the overall Parent programme has 7,060 places, down from 8,500 in 2025–26, so queue movement may slow.

Source: Home Affairs parent visa queue release dates, as at 31 August 2026.

In practice, a new contributory parent visa 143 application goes through two stages: an initial check that gives it a queue date (currently reaching applications lodged around April 2024), followed by a long wait until that queue date is released for final processing.

Visa 173 to 143 processing time

Applications from 173 holders moving to the permanent 143 are handled separately and much faster than new applications. As at 31 August 2026, Home Affairs was processing 173-to-143 applications lodged up to May 2026. The long wait happens before the 173 is granted; the move from 173 to 143 is usually a matter of months.

Is there a 143 visa tracker or queue calculator?

No. Home Affairs does not offer an official 143 visa tracker or parent visa queue calculator, and it does not answer individual status enquiries. Your queue date is given to you in writing, and you can compare it with the queue release dates Home Affairs publishes and updates during the year.

Difference Between Visa 143 and 173

The 173 route costs a few thousand dollars more in total, but it splits the contribution and gives your parents two years in Australia with Medicare while they move to permanent residence.

Contributory Parent Visa Cost (2026–27)

Direct 143 route

• First instalment (main applicant): AUD 6,300, paid at lodgement.
• Second instalment: AUD 43,600 per applicant, paid before grant.
• Total for one parent: from AUD 49,900.

173 to 143 route

• 173 first instalment: AUD 4,245; 173 second instalment: AUD 29,130 per applicant.
• 143 for 173 holders: first instalment AUD 555; second instalment AUD 19,420 per applicant.
• 173 to 143 visa cost for one parent: about AUD 53,350 across both stages.

Additional applicants such as a partner pay their own charges. On top of visa charges, budget for the Assurance of Support bond (AUD 10,000 for the main applicant plus AUD 4,000 for each extra adult), health checks, police certificates and translations. Fees change every 1 July, so confirm amounts with the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.

Eligibility for the 143 and 173 Visa

• Sponsor: your child (or their partner) must be 18+, an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, and settled – generally living lawfully in Australia for at least two years.
• Balance of family test: at least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, or more of your children must live in Australia than in any other single country.
• Health and character: all applicants must meet health requirements and provide police certificates.
• Assurance of Support: an assurer must commit to supporting you for 10 years and lodge a bond.
• No age limit: there is no minimum age, unlike the 864 and 804 aged parent visas.

Balance of family test examples

• Two children – one in Australia, one in the UK: passes – half of your children are in Australia.
• Three children – one in Australia, two in the UK: fails – more children live in the UK.
• Four children – two in Australia, one in India, one in Canada: passes – at least half are in Australia.

Can Subclass 143 Be Applied for Onshore? Bridging Visa Rules

A direct 143 can be lodged in or outside Australia, as long as your current visa allows another application (for example, no “No Further Stay” condition such as 8503). However:

• No bridging visa for a direct 143: since the COVID concession ended on 25 November 2023, direct 143 applicants in Australia do not get a bridging visa. Your parents must keep another valid visa, such as a visitor visa, while visiting.
• Outside Australia at grant: a direct 143 applicant is generally expected to be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
• 173 holders are different: a 173 holder lodges the 143 in Australia and can be granted a bridging visa while it is processed.

If your parents want to spend long periods in Australia during the wait, compare the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa – subclass 870, which allows stays of 3 or 5 years at a time, or an Australia visitor visa. UK passport holders can usually visit on the eVisitor visa (651). Learn more about Bridging Visa A and Bridging Visa B.

Medicare for 143 and 173 Applicants

According to Services Australia, holders of the temporary 173 visa can enrol in Medicare. Parents who apply directly for the 143 without a 173 are not eligible until the 143 is granted, although they may be covered under a reciprocal health care agreement if they meet its criteria. The UK has such an agreement with Australia, but it is limited to medically necessary care, so private health insurance is still recommended.

Contributory vs Non-Contributory Parent Visas

Home Affairs has a process for switching from a non-contributory parent visa (103 or 804) to a contributory one before a decision, which may let you keep your original queue date.

What Your Parents Can Do After the 143 Is Granted

• Live in Australia permanently with family.
• Work and study.
• Enrol in Medicare.
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from grant.
• Apply for Australian citizenship once they meet the residence requirements.

Read our guide to Australian permanent residency for the full list of rights.

How GIEC Global’s Parent Visa Consultants Help

A contributory parent visa is a long-term family investment, so the right route matters from day one. As an Australia immigration consultant supporting families in the UK and Australia, GIEC Global’s immigration consultants:

• check the balance of family test and your sponsor’s eligibility before you pay;
• compare the 143, 173, 864, 103 and 870 so you choose the right route and budget;
• prepare and lodge a complete application – online for the 143 or on paper for the 173;
• plan visits, visitor visa conditions and health cover during the wait; and
• guide your sponsor through the Assurance of Support and second instalment at final processing.

Explore more on our Migrate to Australia page or read our Australia immigration FAQs.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global Australia immigration team. Queue and processing data reflects Home Affairs figures as at 31 August 2026; Medicare information reflects Services Australia guidance. Last reviewed October 2026. Visa rules and charges change regularly – always confirm details on official government websites before applying.