Parent Visas
Clear Legal Guidance for Reuniting Families in Australia
Bringing a parent to live with you in Australia is one of the most meaningful decisions a family can make — but the visa options are often complex, expensive, and emotionally taxing.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. There are multiple visa subclasses, lengthy waiting times, high government fees, and strict eligibility requirements. Many people feel overwhelmed trying to decide which visa is right, how much it will cost, and what the timeline really looks like.
At TranQuill Legal, we help families make informed, confident decisions about parent visas. Whether you’re looking for a permanent solution or a temporary visit with fewer restrictions, we provide clear legal advice that takes into account your goals, your budget, and your long-term plans.
Common Challenges We Help With
We know how emotionally loaded this process can be. That’s why we give you facts, not guesswork — and support you through each decision along the way.
Parent Visa Options
There are two main types of parent visas: contributory and non-contributory. The right option depends on your family structure, the age and location of your parent(s), and how soon you’d like them to be able to live in Australia.
Contributory Parent Visas (Faster, More Expensive)
Contributory visas allow for faster processing times (usually a few years), but the trade-off is cost — often over $45,000 AUD per applicant in government fees.
They are a popular option for families who want their parents to move sooner, and who can either pay upfront or stagger the cost by applying for a temporary contributory visa first, followed by a permanent one later.
These visas provide:
- Work and study rights
- Access to Medicare
- A five-year permanent stay (with ongoing residency pathways)
- A pathway to Australian citizenship
We help you plan the best approach for your situation, including whether a staged application is appropriate.
Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Lower Cost, Long Wait)
These visas have a much lower upfront cost — but wait times can be 20–30 years due to the government’s annual cap and queue system.
They may be suitable for families who cannot meet the financial requirements of contributory visas but are prepared for a long-term plan. Applicants will usually need to live outside Australia during the waiting period.
We’ll help you fully understand the trade-offs before committing to this path.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 870
The subclass 870 visa allows parents to stay in Australia temporarily without meeting the Balance of Family test — a major advantage for families who don’t meet that strict requirement.
Key features:
- Stay up to 3 years ($5,000) or 5 years ($10,000)
- Renewable up to a 10-year maximum
- More flexibility than a tourist visa — longer stay, fewer entry conditions
- No work rights while in Australia
- Must be sponsored by an eligible child who meets income and residency requirements
We can help you understand whether the 870 visa is a suitable temporary pathway, and whether it can work alongside your long-term plans for permanent migration.
Eligibility Criteria
Sometimes, the job you want to sponsor isn’t on the standard occupation list. That’s where Labour Agreements come in — negotiated pathways that allow businesses or industries to sponsor skilled workers under custom terms.
Balance of Family Test
To qualify for many permanent parent visas, at least half of your children must be living permanently in Australia, or you must have more children living in Australia than in any other single country.
This test can be complex depending on blended families, deceased children, or situations where children live in multiple countries. We’ll help you work through it carefully and explain which visas require it — and which don’t.
Note: The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent visa does not require the Balance of Family test.
Age Criteria
Some onshore parent visas are only available to “aged parents” — those old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension. This doesn’t mean you’ll receive the pension immediately, but it determines whether you can apply while in Australia.
Even if your parent doesn’t meet this age requirement, they may still qualify for offshore pathways. We’ll clarify this based on your parent’s date of birth and current visa status.
Onshore vs Offshore Applications
Whether you apply from inside or outside Australia can affect:
- The visa subclass you’re eligible for
- Whether you can include family members
- Your ability to remain in Australia during processing
- Bridging visa entitlements (if any)
We’ll help you determine the best strategy for your situation, including whether your parent should wait offshore or apply for a temporary visa in the meantime.
Why Families Choose TranQuill Legal
If you’re considering a parent visa for your mum, dad, or both, and don’t know where to start, we’re here to help you feel informed and in control.
At TranQuill Legal, we:
- We explain things clearly — no legal confusion
- We respect the emotional weight behind family reunification
- We help you plan ahead — including staged applications and timing strategies
- We tailor advice to your family structure, location, and goals
- We stay with you for the long term — from sponsor approval to final visa grant
We understand how high the stakes can feel – and we’ll help you make clear, legally sound decisions from the start.
📞 Call us on 02 6140 5311
📩 Email info@tranquill.com.au