The Parent Visa is one of the few Australian visa applications that must still be lodged by paper — not online. This means posting physical documents to the Department of Home Affairs in Perth, which raises a number of practical questions about timing, acknowledgement, and bridging visas.
Here’s what you need to know about the parent visa lodgement process and what to expect after you send your application.
How to Lodge a Parent Visa Application
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Unlike most other visa applications which are submitted through ImmiAccount, parent visa applications (including Subclass 103, 143, 804, and 864) must be sent by post or courier to the Department’s processing centre in Perth.
There are two options for sending your application:
- Australia Post (Express Post recommended): Use the prepaid yellow A4-sized express post envelope to the Department’s Locked Bag address. This provides a tracking number so you can confirm delivery.
- Courier service: If you use a courier (anything other than Australia Post), you must use the Department’s physical street address in Perth, not the Locked Bag address.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you have tracking so you can confirm when the documents were received. This is important because the date the Department receives your application becomes your official application date.
How Long Until You Receive Acknowledgement?
After the Department receives your application, you can generally expect:
- Acknowledgement letter: Usually received within 1 to 3 weeks of the Department receiving the application.
- Bridging Visa grant notice: Typically issued around the same time as the acknowledgement letter.
Note that the Department sometimes scans documents in one location and redirects them to Perth for processing, which can occasionally cause slight delays.
When Does the Bridging Visa Start?
This is a common point of confusion. There are two important dates to understand:
- Application date: This is backdated to the date the Department received your postal application. This is the date that matters for eligibility and processing purposes.
- Bridging Visa grant date: This is the date the Bridging Visa is actually processed and granted — which may be days or weeks after the application was received. The BVA only comes into effect from this processing date, not the application receipt date.
This distinction is important: if the applicant’s current visa expires between the date the Department receives the application and the date the BVA is processed, there could be a gap in visa coverage.
Tips for a Smooth Lodgement
- Lodge early. If the applicant’s current visa is expiring, send the parent visa application at least a month in advance. Don’t risk timing issues with bridging visa processing.
- Use trackable delivery. Always use Express Post or a courier service with tracking so you can verify the delivery date.
- Keep copies of everything. Photocopy or scan all documents before sending them. Once posted, you won’t have access to the originals until the Department processes them.
- Include a cover letter. List all documents included in the application and note the applicant’s current visa details and expiry date.
- Check the correct address. Australia Post goes to the Locked Bag address; couriers go to the physical street address. Sending to the wrong address can cause significant delays.
- Monitor tracking closely. If the tracking shows the package bouncing between locations (this has happened), follow up with the postal service immediately.
Parent Visa Processing Times
It’s important to set realistic expectations about parent visa processing times. The non-contributory parent visa (Subclass 103) has a queue that can extend to 30+ years. The contributory parent visa (Subclass 143) is significantly faster but still takes several years and involves a substantial financial contribution.
During the waiting period, if the applicant is onshore, they will hold a Bridging Visa that allows them to remain lawfully in Australia.
Key Takeaways
- Parent visa applications must be lodged by post to the Department in Perth.
- Use Express Post or courier with tracking to confirm delivery.
- Acknowledgement and BVA grant typically arrive within 1-3 weeks.
- The application date is backdated to receipt, but the BVA grant date may be later.
- Lodge early to avoid any gap in visa coverage.
- Parent visa processing can take years to decades — plan accordingly.
Related Articles You May Find Useful
- Subclass 887/191 Visa: Understanding the Regional Residence and Work Requirements
- The BVB Switcheroo: How to Get Travel Rights When Stuck on a Bridging Visa C
- Switching from a Student Visa to a Partner Visa: Timing, Bridging Visas, and Work Rights
- Adding a Dependent Child to Your Partner Visa: The Subclass 445 Pathway Explained
- Received a Section 57 Natural Justice Letter? Here’s What It Means and How to Respond
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is current at the time of publishing. It is not intended as legal or migration advice specific to your situation. For personalised advice, please book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This article is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.
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