Subclass 143: Contributory Parent (direct PR)
Single-stage visa. Full contribution paid at grant. Direct permanent residency.
Subclass 143 Direct PR · Subclass 173 Two-Stage · Faster Queue
The contributory parent visas are the faster pathway.
Much higher fees than non-contributory parent visas, but significantly shorter processing queues. For parents able to fund the pathway, contributory visas offer a realistic timeline measured in years rather than decades. Our family team Pragya Gautam and Neha Sharma manages these matters.
Subclass 143 vs 173
Direct PR or two-stage.
Two contributory subclasses serve different cash-flow situations.
Subclass 173: Contributory Parent (temporary, 2 years)
Two-stage. Half contribution at 173, balance when moving to 143 within two years. Spreads the financial load.
Same queue, same processing
Both visas sit in the same contributory parent queue. 173 applicants ultimately need to transition to 143 or another PR pathway.
Balance of Family test
Both require at least half of the parent's children to be Australian citizens, PRs, or eligible NZ citizens. Or at least as many in Australia as in any other country.
Core eligibility
Four tests.
Every contributory parent visa application is assessed against these four.
Parent of an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizenBiological, adopted, or stepparent of a sponsor meeting residency criteria.
Balance of Family testAt least half of children must be Australian residents, OR at least as many in Australia as any other country.
Assurance of SupportSponsor provides a financial assurance. Sponsor must not have received certain Centrelink benefits.
Cost and timing
High but realistic.
Contributory parent visas are expensive but the timeline is manageable.
Processing timeline
Currently around 4-8 years for contributory parent visas. Queue moves. Check current Department estimates.
Contribution amount
Second Visa Application Charge per parent is around AUD $50,000. Plus lodgement fees, medicals, other costs. Budget accordingly.
Assurance of Support
Sponsor gives financial assurance. Specific amounts vary; bank bond required for assurance period.
Contributory parent processing is much faster than non-contributory.
Non-contributory parent visas (103, 804) currently have processing queues measured in decades. Contributory pathways dramatically shorten this for applicants able to fund the contribution. For older parents, the difference in realistic pathway can be life-changing.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For contributory parent visa applications, book with Pragya Gautam or Neha Sharma.
Does my Australian child need to be working to sponsor me?
Sponsors cannot have received certain Centrelink benefits during the Assurance of Support period. Employment matters indirectly through capacity.
Can I include my spouse on the parent visa?
Yes. Both parents can be included on the same application. Second VAC applied to each parent.
What if I fail the Balance of Family test?
Pathway closed. Most parents with several children in one country fail. Partial children living in Australia can sometimes help.
Can I bring grandchildren too?
Not on the parent visa. Grandchildren need their own visa pathway.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.