Permanent Parent Visas

Balance of Family Test

The “Balance of Family” test is a test that is used to determine the extent of the parent’s links to their children in Australia. It is designed to ensure that only those with close ties to Australia are eligible for parent visas. It applies to offshore or onshore parent visas.

If at least half of the parent’s children and step-children are “eligible children” or there are more “eligible children” than children living in any other single country, then the parent will meet the balance of family test. 

Eligible children includes the following:

• Australian citizens;

• Australian permanent residents usually resident in Australia; or

• eligible New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia​

For example:

1. If a parent and their partner have four children, of whom two are Australian citizens and two reside overseas as foreign nationals, the parent will satisfy the test.​

2. If a parent and their partner have 5 children, of whom two are Australian permanent residents, one is resident of India, one is resident of America and one is resident of South Africa, the parent still pass the balance of family test.

About all Parent visas

People who are parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen can apply for a permanent visa.

1. Parent category Visas

This category contains two visa options:

• Parent Visa (Subclass 103) visa

• Aged Parent (Subclass 804) visa

2. Contributory parent category visas

This category contains four visa options:

• Offshore Contributory Parent (Subclass143) visa

• Offshore Contributory Parent (Subclass173) visa

• Onshore Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 864) visa

• Onshore Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 884) visa​

Differences between Parent and Contributory Parent visas:

1. The Contributory Parent category visas are usually processed faster than Parent category visas because they have a higher processing priority and more visa places available.

2. People who apply for visas in the Contributory Parent category pay a higher second visa application charge (VAC) to contribute to their ongoing health costs.

3. Higher assurance of support bond and longer bond period is applied for contributory parent visas.

To apply for onshore parent visas, applicants must meet the age requirement. This means that they must be old enough to be granted an age pension which is around 65 - 67 years.