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Contributory Parent Visa
Migrate to Australia as a permanent resident with access to Medicare, work, and study rights, while benefiting from a quicker, more predictable pathway to citizenship.
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Contributory Parent Visa – Subclass 143
Permanent residency for parents of Australians
The Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143) is a permanent visa that allows eligible parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia indefinitely.
Designed for families committed to long-term settlement
Subclass 143 is best suited to families who are ready to make a long-term commitment, both emotionally and financially, to having parents settle in Australia permanently, share everyday life with their children and grandchildren, and benefit from Australia’s healthcare and lifestyle
Live, work, study and access Medicare
Once granted, you can live, work and study in Australia without restriction, enrol in Medicare and, when eligible, apply for Australian citizenship. It also allows you to sponsor certain family members in the future.
Cost :
AUD 445(if meet 19B condition), AUD 3,235(if meet 19C condition), AUD 5,040 (if meet 19D2 condition) & AUD 0 (if meet 19D condition) | for latest cost estimation
A faster pathway than standard Parent visas
This visa sits in the “contributory” parent category – you pay a higher government visa charge and provide an Assurance of Support, but in return you receive a priority place in the parent queue, generally with shorter waiting times than non-contributory Parent visa options such as Subclass 103.
Contributory Parent Visa – Subclass 143
ANY – applicants can be citizens of any country. You must be the parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, who is “settled” in Australia (generally living here lawfully for at least 2 years).
You must be formally sponsored by your eligible child (or, in some cases, your child’s partner, another eligible relative or an approved community organisation if your child is under 18). The sponsorship must be approved by the Department.
You must meet the Balance of Family Test – usually this means at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country. Step-children and adopted children are counted in this assessment.
You can lodge a Subclass 143 application either in Australia or outside Australia, provided your current visa allows you to apply for another visa onshore. If you are in Australia, you will not automatically receive a bridging visa, so you must keep another visa valid while you wait.
Before grant, an Assurance of Support is required. This is a financial commitment (bond) from an assurer in Australia to repay certain welfare costs and show you will not rely on government income support. The AoS is assessed and held by Services Australia for a set period.
All applicants must meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police checks, and must have complied with previous visa conditions. Significant issues such as unresolved visa cancellations, serious offences, or unpaid debts to the Australian Government can lead to refusal.
In most cases, you must be outside Australia when the Subclass 143 visa is granted, unless you already hold a related Contributory Parent (Temporary) Subclass 173 visa or an eligible bridging visa at the time of decision. If you are applying as a retiree, you must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply. You can be in or outside Australia when a decision is made on your application.
We’re in Our Clients’ Hearts
Excellence speaks for itself—our clients’ emotions tell the story.
Aleeha and Nirav at Knowbal Migration demonstrated outstanding guidance, persistence, and professionalism in securing a Visitor Visa Family Stream for a sister, successfully navigating earlier difficulties to achieve the outcome. Their dedication and genuine care throughout the process were truly appreciated.
Very good experience with Knowbal Migration. Nirav and Aleeha provided great support throughout my visa process and helped achieve a positive outcome. Thank you to the team for their assistance.
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
Frequently Asked Questions
You generally need to be “settled” in Australia as a PR or citizen before sponsoring, but you don’t have to wait years to plan. We usually suggest:
- lock in your own PR first,
- check that the Balance of Family Test will be met, and
- map out the costs and timing (visa charges + Assurance of Support).
A short strategy session soon after PR means you can decide whether to lodge early (to start the queue clock) or focus on your own career/points and do it a bit later.
Both paths lead to the same permanent outcome, but the experience is different:
- Direct 143 – one big fee, fewer applications, but heavier upfront cost.
- 173 → 143 – spreads government charges over two stages and lets parents “test” living here, but adds extra paperwork and some extra cost overall.
We compare both for you (fees, timing, Medicare access, cash flow) so you can choose the option that fits your family’s finances, age and health.
Often yes – many families combine a pending 143 with regular visitor stays. The key issues are:
- managing GTE (showing they’ll return after each visit),
- not overstaying or breaching conditions, and
- explaining clearly in future visitor applications that there is a long-term plan via 143.
We normally design a “visit + migration” pattern with you so your parents can see you and the grandkids without damaging their visitor history.
The Balance of Family Test is fixed at the time of decision, not just lodgement. If you still have siblings moving countries, marrying or getting PR elsewhere, it can change the calculation. Before spending money on a 143 we:
- map every child’s citizenship, visa and usual residence,
- flag any siblings who might move to Australia or another country, and
- recommend whether to lodge now or wait until the test is clearly satisfied.
This avoids the nightmare of a refusal years down the track because a sibling’s situation changed.
The AoS is more than just a form – it’s a long-term financial commitment. It can mean:
- a bond held by the government for up to 10 years,
- a requirement to maintain certain income levels, and
- potential liability if your parents claim some Centrelink payments.
We sit with you and, if needed, a co-assurer (e.g. sibling, relative) to check actual numbers so you’re comfortable you can afford the AoS before lodging.
Parent visas involve a strict health assessment, and major conditions can lead to refusal. Before you invest the full government fee, it can be wise to:
- get detailed reports from their specialists,
- look at likely treatment costs in Australia, and
- do a pre-assessment with a migration professional experienced in health cases.
We’ll be upfront if the risk is high, and talk through alternatives (such as structured visitor stays or other family options) so you’re not gambling with savings.
Contributory Parent cases can take several years, and life doesn’t stand still. You’ll need to keep the Department updated about:
- new passports, addresses or contact details,
- changes in marital status or household for you or your parents, and
- any serious health or legal issues.
We usually set up a simple check-in schedule with families (every 6–12 months) to keep documents current, track announcements on parent visa queues, and make sure nothing quietly derails the application while everyone is busy living their lives.
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