Australian Parent Visa Document Checklist: Subclass 143, 804 and 870 Guide for 2026

📋 Quick Overview

• 💰 Application Fee: Varies (143: AUD 47,825 first instalment; 870: AUD 5,735)
• 💼 Visa Type: Parent Visas (Subclass 143, 804, 870)
• ⏱️ Processing Time: Varies by subclass

• ✅Sponsorship by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• ✅Balance of Family Test (except Subclass 870) — at least half of your children must live in Australia, or more of your children must live in Australia than in any single other country
• ✅Health and character requirements for the applicant
• ✅Identity documents for the applicant and sponsor

• ✅Current valid passport
• ✅Birth certificate
• ✅Passport-sized photographs
• ✅National identity card (if applicable)

• ✅Birth certificates of all your children (to establish the parent-child relationship and for the Balance of Family Test)
• ✅Marriage certificates or divorce decrees (if applicable to establish relationship to children)
• ✅Adoption papers (if applicable)

• ✅Details of where all your children live — passports, residency documents, or statutory declarations confirming the country of residence for each child
• ✅The test requires that at least half your children are Australian citizens/PRs/eligible NZ citizens living in Australia, or more children live in Australia than in any other single country

• ✅Health examination results from a panel-approved physician (generate HAP ID in ImmiAccount)
• ✅These must be completed upfront

• ✅Police clearance certificates from every country where you lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years since turning 16
• ✅AFP check for any time spent in Australia

• ✅The AoS is a financial guarantee that the sponsor (or another assurer) provides to the Australian Government, ensuring the visa holder will not rely on government welfare for a specified period
• ✅The assurer must apply to Services Australia for the AoS
• ✅A bond of up to AUD 10,000 may be required (held for 10 years and refundable if no welfare claims are made)

• ✅Proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible NZ citizenship
• ✅Identity documents (passport, birth certificate)
• ✅Evidence of settled status — typically at least two years of lawful residence in Australia
• ✅Sponsor’s income and employment evidence (may be required for AoS)

• ✅You must have reached Age Pension age (currently 67) by the time the visa decision is made
• ✅Provide evidence of age — passport, birth certificate

• ✅You must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided
• ✅Include evidence of your current Australian address

• ✅An Assurance of Support is also required for the 804

• ✅Non-contributory aged parent visas can take 30+ years to process due to limited allocations
• ✅The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is the faster but more expensive alternative to the 804

• ✅Completed Sponsorship for a Family Member (870) form
• ✅Proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible NZ citizenship for at least four years
• ✅Evidence of taxable income of at least AUD 83,454.80 (can be combined income with partner)
• ✅Tax returns, notice of assessment, or employer payment summary
• ✅Sponsor application fee: approximately AUD 420

• ✅Current valid passport
• ✅Birth certificate
• ✅Passport-sized photographs

• ✅Birth certificate of the sponsoring child showing the parent-child relationship

• ✅Health examination results
• ✅Private health insurance covering the entire visa period — this is mandatory for the 870. The policy must cover hospital and general treatment.

• ✅Police clearance certificates from every country where you lived 12+ months in the past 10 years

• ✅Evidence that you can support yourself financially during your stay (the 870 does not include work rights)

• ✅If the parent is outside Australia, the visa application must be lodged within six months of sponsorship approval
• ✅If in Australia, within 60 days

• ✅3-year visa: approximately AUD 5,735
• ✅5-year visa: approximately AUD 11,470
• ✅The visa can be renewed once for a maximum total stay of 10 years

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Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements are subject to change. Always verify the latest requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website or consult a MARA-registered migration agent.