How do I sponsor my parents to come to Australia?

Sponsoring Your Parents to Australia

To sponsor your parents to Australia, you'll need to understand the parent visa options and sponsorship requirements.

Main Parent Visa Options

• Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143) – Permanent visa where your parents pay a significant contribution fee
• Non-Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 142) – Permanent visa with no contribution fee, but longer waiting times (currently several years)
• Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804/864) – For parents aged 65+ in specific circumstances

Key Requirements

• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• You must meet the balance of family test – at least half your siblings must be in Australia, or you must be the main source of support for your parents
• Your parents must meet health and character requirements
• You must sign an Assurance of Support (financial commitment for 10 years)

The Process

• Lodge a sponsorship application first (Form 40-SP)
• Once approved, your parents apply for the visa
• Processing times vary: contributory visas take 6-12 months; non-contributory can take 5+ years
• Costs include visa fees, contribution fees (for subclass 143), and health/character checks

Important Notes

Parent visas are expensive and have long waiting periods. The contributory option is faster but costs significantly more. You'll need to demonstrate financial capacity to support your parents.

Check the Department of Home Affairs visa finder for current fees and processing times, and visit parent visa information for detailed requirements.

This is general information only. Check official sources before acting.