Who is eligible for the Subclass 143 visa?
Your child must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. You must meet the Balance of Family Test — at least half of your children (or more of your children than any other single country) must reside in Australia. You must also meet health and character requirements and clear any debts to the Australian government.
What is the difference between the 143 and 173 parent visa?
The Subclass 173 is a temporary visa (minimum 2 years) that allows parents to live in Australia while waiting for their permanent Subclass 143 to be processed. The 173 provides Medicare access and is often used as a first step. Once you have lived in Australia for 2 years on the 173, you can transition to the permanent 143. Both visas have the same contributory fee structure.
How long does the 143 visa take to process?
A new Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 application may take approximately 12 years to process from lodgement. This is due to the annual cap on parent visas. While this is still a lengthy wait, it is significantly faster than the non-contributory Subclass 103 which can take up to 30 years.
How much does the Subclass 143 visa cost?
The Subclass 143 has a two-instalment fee structure: AUD $5,040 at lodgement (first instalment) and AUD $43,600 per applicant payable on request (second instalment — the contributory charge). The total for the main applicant is approximately AUD $48,640. Additional costs apply for health checks, police clearances, biometrics and dependants.
Can I get Medicare on the Subclass 143?
Yes — and this is a major advantage over the non-contributory Subclass 103. If you hold a temporary Subclass 173 visa as a stepping stone to the 143, you can enrol in Medicare during that temporary period. Full Medicare access continues once the permanent 143 is granted.
What is the balance-of-family test?
The balance-of-family test is satisfied if: (a) at least half of your children are Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible NZ citizens living in Australia, OR (b) more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country. This test is assessed per parent at the time of the visa decision.
Can I apply for the 143 inside or outside Australia?
Yes. Applicants can lodge the Subclass 143 visa application whether they are inside or outside Australia at the time of lodgement. If inside Australia, you may be granted a temporary Subclass 173 while your permanent application is processed.
What is the difference between the Subclass 103 and 143?
The key differences are: Fee — the 103 costs $5,280 + $2,640, while the 143 costs $5,040 + $43,600. Processing — the 103 can take up to 30 years; the 143 takes approximately 12 years. Medicare — the 103 only provides Medicare on grant; the 143 provides Medicare during the temporary 173 stage.
