PR Pathway via the Standard Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The standard Parent visa (subclass 103) is one of the direct pathways to permanent residence (PR) for the parent of an eligible citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen living in Australia. It is the non-contributory stream: the cost is considerably lower than the contributory stream (subclass 143), but in return the queue is very long. This article helps you picture the overall pathway before you invest time and money. To understand the bigger picture of parent visa options, read it alongside the parent visa overview.
Who is this pathway for?
- Parents who want to reunite long-term with a child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Families who prioritise a lower cost and accept a very long wait rather than paying the high charge of the contributory stream.
- People with long-term plans who do not need PR in the short term.
If you need a faster result and have the financial capacity, the contributory stream (143) is another direction — but that is a separate trade-off to weigh.
A note on where you lodge: subclass 103 is the non-contributory stream lodged outside Australia. If the parent is inside Australia and old enough to receive the age pension, the corresponding non-contributory stream is the Aged Parent (subclass 804) — with the same low-fee, very-long-queue nature as 103. Check the stream that matches your circumstances on Home Affairs.
Where it starts
This pathway usually starts when you confirm two things: (1) there is a child in Australia who is eligible to sponsor, and (2) you expect to meet the balance-of-family test — a rule that compares the number of children living in Australia with the number living elsewhere. This is a core condition of the parent visa, and many cases are ineligible right at this point.
The applicant may be inside or outside Australia when lodging 103, depending on circumstances; confirm the applicable conditions on the official page.
Steps to permanent residence
At a high level, the pathway usually involves:
- Check the core conditions: the parent–child relationship, the balance-of-family test, and a child eligible to sponsor.
- Arrange the sponsor and the financial assurer: the parent visa usually requires an assurance of support given by an eligible individual or organisation.
- Prepare the documents: evidence of the family relationship, identity, and supporting documents.
- Lodge the 103 application and receive confirmation that you have entered the queue.
- Wait for processing: this is the longest stage of the non-contributory stream.
- Meet the health and police requirements when asked, usually at the final stage.
- Visa is granted → you become a permanent resident.
The exact order and detail are set out on the official Home Affairs page.
Fees and figures to check
According to the official Home Affairs page, the total application charge for one main applicant of the Parent visa 103, paid in two instalments, is from 8,665 AUD. This figure applies to one applicant only; if there are dependants, the total will differ. Beyond the application charge, there may also be costs for the assurance of support, health examinations and documents.
The figures you must check yourself on the official source, because they change frequently:
- The queue and processing time: the non-contributory stream is well known for a very long queue due to the limit on visas granted each year. Compare the current estimate on Visa Processing Times rather than relying on a figure you have heard second-hand.
- Charges for cases with multiple people: use the Visa Pricing Estimator to calculate correctly for the number of dependants.
- The balance-of-family test: how children inside and outside Australia are counted is set out specifically; confirm on the official page.
Two official tools to use before lodging:
- Visa Pricing Estimator (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator): estimate the charge for your exact circumstances.
- Visa Processing Times (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times): updated monthly.
The deciding factors
- The balance-of-family test: usually decisive — if it is not met, the case is ineligible regardless of other factors.
- An eligible sponsor living in Australia.
- An assurance of support fully arranged.
- The ability to wait long-term: because the queue is very long, your living and financial plan during the wait is a practical factor to plan in advance.
Risks and common mistakes
- Underestimating the length of the queue and failing to make a long-term plan for the wait.
- Assuming that simply having a child in Australia is enough — forgetting the balance-of-family test.
- Confusing the non-contributory stream (103) with the contributory stream (143) on both cost and timing.
- Not arranging the assurance of support before it is needed.
- Letting health or police documents expire during the wait and having to redo them.
When to consult an RMA
Because the queue is very long and the balance-of-family test can rule out a case from the outset, checking eligibility before lodging is very important so you do not waste years of waiting. A Registered Migration Agent registered with OMARA can help assess the balance-of-family test, choose between the 103 and 143 streams, and plan for the assurance-of-support undertaking. This article is educational, not advice for your individual circumstances.
Learn more
- Parent visa overview and planning ahead
- Pathways to Australian permanent residence — the big picture
The Parent visa 103 is a more affordable pathway to PR but demands a great deal of patience. Confirm the balance-of-family condition and check the figures against the official source before you start, and consider professional advice for a long-term decision like this.
Last updated: 13/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check the official source.