Parent Visa Subclass 103 (Offshore)
Permanent residency for parents outside Australia – low cost with extended processing time
Key Benefits
Permanent Residency
Live in Australia indefinitely upon visa grant
Lowest Cost
Total fees ~$6,500 vs $40,000+ for contributory parent visas
Medicare Access
Full access to Australia’s public healthcare upon grant
Full Work Rights
Work and study freely in Australia as permanent resident
Path to Citizenship
Eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after residency requirements
Travel Freedom
5-year travel facility, sponsor other family members
Subclass 103 vs Other Parent Visas
Understanding offshore parent visa options
| Feature | Subclass 103 (Non-Contributory) |
Subclass 143/173 (Contributory) |
Subclass 804 (Onshore Non-Contributory) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Location | Offshore (outside Australia) | Offshore (outside Australia) | Onshore (in Australia) |
| Visa Type | Permanent | Temp (173)→Permanent (143) | Permanent |
| Age Requirement | No age requirement | No age requirement | 67+ years (pension age) |
| Processing Time | ~33 years | ~15 years | 20-30+ years |
| Total Government Fees | ~$6,500 per parent | ~$40,000+ per parent | ~$7,000 per parent |
| Stay During Processing | ❌ No (wait overseas) | ❌ No (wait overseas) | ✅ Yes (Bridging Visa) |
| AoS Bond | $5k + $2k (2-4 years) | $10k + $4k (10 years) | $10k + $4k (10 years) |
| Best For | Families prioritizing lowest cost | Families wanting faster PR offshore | Parents already in Australia |
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility requirements for parents and sponsors
👴 Parents (Any Age)
- No age requirement for 103 (unlike 804)
- Outside Australia when applying (offshore)
- Outside Australia when visa is decided
- Pass Balance of Family Test
- Meet health and character requirements
- Can apply onshore if no “No Further Stay” condition
👨👩👧 Eligible Sponsor
- Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
- Settled in Australia (2+ years)
- Adult child (18 years or older)
- Or child’s spouse/partner can sponsor
- Financial capacity for Assurance of Support
- Good character
📋 Key Requirements
- Balance of Family Test (50%+ children in Australia)
- Assurance of Support bond ($5,000 + $2,000)
- Health examinations (initial and final stage)
- Police clearances from all countries
- No outstanding government debts
- Cannot have applied for Subclass 870
Eligibility Checklist
Requirements you must meet
Outside Australia when applying and when visa is decided
Unlike 804, Subclass 103 has no minimum age requirement
At least 50% of children in Australia or more than any other country
Adult child who is citizen/PR settled 2+ years in Australia
Pass medical exams at initial stage and again at final processing
Police clearances from countries lived 12+ months
Sponsor provides $5k bond primary + $2k partner (2-4 year period)
Cannot have applied for/hold Temporary Sponsored Parent visa
Processing Timeline & Queue
Understanding the extended offshore wait
Eligibility Assessment
VisaTasker confirms parents pass Balance of Family Test, have eligible sponsor, meet health and character requirements. Parents must be outside Australia.
Document Preparation
Gather identity papers, relationship evidence, sponsor documents, Balance of Family proof. Complete initial health exams and police clearances.
Application Lodgement
Submit application via ImmiAccount. Pay first installment (~$4,435 per parent). Parents remain outside Australia after lodgement.
Initial Assessment & Queue Date
Department assesses core criteria including sponsorship, Balance of Family Test, health and character. If approved, assigns queue date and places in parent visa queue.
Queue Period (~33 years)
Application remains in queue due to annual program caps. Parents wait overseas (can visit Australia on tourist visas). Keep contact details updated. VisaTasker provides ongoing support.
Final Processing Begins
When queue position reaches front (~33 years later), Department requests updated health exams, police checks, and Assurance of Support from sponsor.
Assurance of Support
Sponsor lodges AoS with Services Australia including $5,000 bond (primary) + $2,000 (partner) held for 2-4 years. VisaTasker coordinates entire process.
Second Installment & Grant
Pay second installment (~$2,055 per parent). Permanent Subclass 103 visa granted! Parents can now migrate to Australia as permanent residents.
Why Choose VisaTasker?
Expert guidance for your parent visa journey
MARA Registered
Licensed migration agents following professional standards (MARN 2318017)
Complete Service
From eligibility assessment through queue placement and final grant
Balance of Family Test
Expert verification of this critical requirement before lodgement
Fixed Fee
$2,500 one-time service fee covering entire application
Long-Term Support
Ongoing assistance throughout extended processing period
Family-Focused
Compassionate service understanding the importance of family reunion
Investment Required
Most affordable permanent parent visa option
Government Fees (Non-Contributory)
Total per parent (two installments)
- First installment: ~$4,435 at lodgement
- Second installment: ~$2,055 before grant
- AoS bond: $5k primary + $2k partner
- Bond held 2-4 years (refundable)
- Medical exams: ~$400-600
- Much lower than contributory ($40,000+)
Our Professional Service
Fixed one-time fee for complete service
- Comprehensive eligibility assessment
- Balance of Family Test verification
- Complete application preparation
- Online lodgement via ImmiAccount
- Queue placement assistance
- Ongoing support during wait period
- Final stage AoS coordination
- Support until visa grant
Total investment: ~$9,000 including service fee and government charges. Lower AoS bond than contributory visas with shorter bond period (2-4 years vs 10 years).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does Subclass 103 take approximately 33 years?
The Subclass 103 is a non-contributory parent visa subject to strict annual program caps. The Australian government prioritizes contributory parent visas (which generate higher revenue) and allocates only a small number of places to non-contributory visas each year.
Current situation:
- Tens of thousands of applications in queue
- Only 1,000-1,500 non-contributory parent visas granted annually
- Department currently processing applications from June 2013
- New applications lodged in 2025 estimated for processing around 2058
2. Can parents visit Australia while waiting?
Yes! Parents waiting offshore for Subclass 103 can visit Australia on tourist visas (Visitor visa Subclass 600) during the processing period.
Important considerations:
- Tourist visas are typically 3, 6, or 12 months
- Must maintain genuine visitor intent
- Cannot live permanently in Australia on tourist visas
- Must return overseas before tourist visa expires
- Having a 103 application in queue doesn’t guarantee tourist visa grants
VisaTasker can assist with visitor visa applications for parents waiting in the 103 queue.
3. What if we need parents to come sooner?
If you need parents in Australia sooner than 33 years, consider these alternatives:
Faster Options:
- Contributory Parent Visa (143/173): ~15 years processing, ~$40,000+ per parent
- Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (870): 6-12 months processing, temporary only (3-5 years), $5,000-20,000
- Multiple tourist visas: Regular visits while waiting for 103
4. What is the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test is the most critical eligibility requirement. It requires that at least half of your children are Australian citizens or permanent residents (usually living in Australia), OR you have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
How it’s calculated:
- All children counted (biological, step, adopted) of both parents
- Calculate total number of children
- Count how many are Australian citizens/PRs
- If 50% or more are Australian, you pass
- OR if more in Australia than any single other country, you pass
✅ Pass: 4 children, 2 in Australia, 1 in UK, 1 in Canada
❌ Fail: 4 children, 2 in Australia, 2 in China
✅ Pass: 3 children, 2 in Australia, 1 in India
This test CANNOT be waived under any circumstances. VisaTasker carefully verifies this before lodgement to avoid wasted application fees.
5. What happens if circumstances change during the 33-year wait?
During the extended processing period, you must notify the Department of certain changes:
Must notify:
- Change of address or contact details
- New passport details
- Change in sponsor circumstances
- Change in family composition
- If sponsor ceases to be citizen/PR (affects eligibility)
Will be reassessed at final stage:
- Health requirements (new medical exams required)
- Character requirements (new police checks required)
- Balance of Family Test (fixed at queue date – won’t change)
6. What is the Assurance of Support (AoS)?
The Assurance of Support is a financial commitment guaranteeing parents won’t need government welfare.
Subclass 103 AoS Details:
- Bond: $5,000 primary applicant + $2,000 for partner
- Held for 2-4 years (shorter than contributory visas’ 10 years)
- Lodged with Services Australia at final processing stage
- Refundable after period if no welfare claimed
- Sponsor must meet income requirements
When required: Not at application lodgement. Only required at final processing stage (33 years later). VisaTasker will guide sponsor through AoS process when the time comes.
7. Can I apply for 103 if I’m already in Australia?
Only in limited circumstances. Subclass 103 is primarily an offshore visa. However, you may apply onshore IF:
- You’re in Australia on a substantive visa (not a Bridging Visa)
- Your current visa does NOT have “No Further Stay” condition (Condition 8503)
- You meet all other eligibility requirements
If you apply onshore, you’ll receive a Bridging Visa A allowing you to stay in Australia during processing.
Secure Your Parents’ Australian Future
The Subclass 103 Parent visa offers the most affordable pathway to permanent residency. While processing takes time, securing a queue position now means building toward eventual family reunion. Let VisaTasker guide you through the application with expert MARA-registered support.
Book Your Consultation
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page 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.