Subclass 103 (offshore)
Parent outside Australia at lodgement. Must remain offshore until grant. Long processing timeline measured in decades.
Lower Fees · Decades Queue · Subclass 103 & 804
The non-contributory parent visas cost less. But the queue is long.
The Subclass 103 (offshore) and 804 (aged parent onshore) are the lower-fee parent visas. Processing queues currently run into decades. Applicants must decide whether the fee saving is worth the timeline or whether the contributory pathway fits better.
How the two compare
Offshore vs onshore.
The 103 and 804 are non-contributory parent visas with similar criteria but different location.
Subclass 804 (onshore aged parent)
Parent inside Australia. Must meet Age Pension age. Bridging visa covers processing. Onshore stay throughout.
Balance of Family test
Both require at least half of children in Australia or at least as many in Australia as any other country.
PR outcome either way
Both result in permanent residency. Processing time is the main difference.
Queue realities
Very long.
Non-contributory parent queues currently measured in decades, not years.
Current Department estimatesDepartment publishes estimates of around 30 years for non-contributory parent visa processing.
Age of parents at applicationMost applicants are already in their 60s. 30-year queue may outlast realistic lifespan. Decision matters.
Why contributory existsThe contributory pathway specifically addresses the queue problem. Higher fees, much faster processing.
Sponsored parent 870 as alternativeSponsored parent 870 provides 3 or 5 year temporary stay without permanent residency. Alternative for long queue decisions.
When non-contributory still fits
Specific scenarios.
Despite the queue, non-contributory pathways make sense for some families.
Younger parents
Parents in their 50s with long life expectancy may still benefit from lodging non-contributory now. Maintains pathway.
Contribution genuinely unaffordable
If the $50,000+ contribution per parent is genuinely not possible, non-contributory is the only pathway to PR.
Strategic planning
Lodging non-contributory while also exploring 870 provides both permanent pathway (very long wait) and practical stay (shorter but temporary).
Applicants can be on bridging visa for extended periods.
Aged parent 804 applicants remain on bridging visa while their application is processed. Bridging visa covers onshore lawful status during the long processing period. Medicare access and other benefits available to bridging visa holders in specific circumstances.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For non-contributory parent visa advice, book with Pragya Gautam.
Should I lodge non-contributory or wait for contributory?
Depends on age, cash position, and family plans. Lodging non-contributory now preserves the pathway while planning contributory lodgement later.
Can I switch from non-contributory to contributory later?
Yes. Fresh contributory application possible at any time. Non-contributory lodgement does not prevent it.
What if my parent needs to be in Australia while we wait?
Sponsored parent 870 provides up to 5 years temporary stay. Not PR but practical for long waits.
Does age at lodgement matter?
Yes for 804 (must meet Age Pension age at lodgement). Not for 103 specifically but affects the 30-year wait calculus.
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.