A pathway for parents to permanently reunite with their children who are settled in Australia. The Subclass 103 is the non-contributory parent visa — no large upfront fee, but it operates on a cap and queue system.
The Parent Visa Subclass 103 is a permanent residency visa designed for parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It allows parents to permanently reunite with their children living in Australia.
One of its key differentiators from other parent visa subclasses (such as the Subclass 143, Subclass 173, and Subclass 864) is that it does not require the large contributory fee. However, this comes with a significant trade-off — the Subclass 103 operates on a cap and queue system, meaning processing times can extend to many years.
Important: Due to the cap and queue system, the Subclass 103 processing time can be extremely long — in some cases up to 30 years. If reuniting with your parents sooner is a priority, consider the Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 which has significantly faster processing times.
Both the applicant (parent) and the sponsor (child) must meet separate sets of requirements:
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 applies per parent and is assessed at the time of decision.
Secure permanent residence in Australia and live alongside your children and grandchildren indefinitely.
Enjoy full rights to work and study anywhere in Australia without restrictions.
Travel freely in and out of Australia for 5 years from grant. After 5 years, a Resident Return Visa or citizenship is required to re-enter.
Eligible family members can lodge their visa applications alongside the primary applicant, keeping families together.
Once the visa is granted, enrol in Medicare — Australia’s universal health insurance scheme covering essential medical services.
After living in Australia as a permanent resident, you can apply for Australian citizenship and become fully settled.
Note on Medicare: While your 103 application is pending, you are not eligible to enrol in Medicare. Some applicants may have coverage under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with their home country. Medicare eligibility is restored only once the visa is granted.
The Subclass 103 is highly sought after. Due to the cap and queue system, the processing time can be extremely extensive — in some instances extending up to 30 years. Applicants are placed in a queue based on their application lodgement date.
Considering the wait? If you want your parents to join you sooner, the Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 has significantly shorter processing times, at the cost of a higher application fee. Our OMARA-registered migration agents in Perth can help you compare options based on your specific circumstances.
The Subclass 103 has a two-part fee structure — an initial application charge plus an additional charge payable upon approval:
Supplementary charges apply for dependants or additional applicants included in the application. Our migration agent fee is determined based on your specific situation — contact us for a transparent, obligation-free quote.
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