The Contributory Parent Visa: A Comprehensive Guide (Subclass 143)
For many migrants in Australia, building a new life often involves the desire to reunite with family, especially aging parents. The Australian government offers various parent visa options, and one of the most popular options for parents seeking permanent residence is the 143 contributory parent visa.
The visa offers the Australian citizens, permanent residents or parents of New Zealand citizens permanently to live in Australia. In this blog, we will break 143 visas, its benefits, eligibility requirements, costs and application process.
What is the Subclass 143 contributing parents?
The contributor allows parents (permanent) visa -subclass 143 parents to migrate permanently in Australia to live with their children. This is called “contribution” because applicants require a significant financial contribution to help offset public health and welfare costs, which in turn leads to a faster processing time compared to non-odd parent visa.
This visa is ideal for parents who want to:
Live permanently in Australia
Work and study
Access Medicare (Australia’s Public Health System)
Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
Sponshes other family members to come to Australia
Who can apply for 143 visas?
To be eligible for subclass 143 visas, both parents and child sponsors of the parents have to meet certain criteria.
Applicant (parents) requirements:
There should be a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or character New Zealand citizen
Family testing balance must pass (at least half of children should live permanently in Australia, or more children should live in Australia compared to any other country)
The eligible child (or their spouse) should be sponsored
Must meet health and character requirements
Be willing to pay the significant visa charges
Agree to sign an Assurance of Support (see below)
Sponsor requirements:
Must be at least 18 years of age
An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or character should be a citizen of New Zealand who lives in Australia for a proper period
Must agree to financially support the parent for the first 2 years in Australia
Usually needs to provide an Assurance of Support (AoS), a legal commitment to repay any welfare the parent may access in their first 10 years in Australia
Cost of the Subclass 143 Visa
The Subclass 143 visa is expensive, but the higher cost results in shorter processing times compared to non-contributory parent visas.
By 2025, the cost is:
Primary Applicant: Aud $ 47,825
Secondary applicant (eg spouse): almost AUD $ 2,400
Second installment (Before Visa Grants): AUD $ 43,600 per applicant
This means that for a couple, the total cost can exceed $ 95,000. However, profit is a permanent visa with complete access to medicines and other services.
The Assurance of Support (AoS)
An Assurance of Support is a key part of the 143 visa process. It’s a legal commitment made by a person (usually the sponsor) or an organisation to financially support the parent after their arrival in Australia. This ensures that the visa holder does not rely on welfare payments.
The AoS is required for 10 years
A bond also requires: $ 10,000 for the main applicant, and $ 4,000 for each additional adult
These funds are conducted by centerlink and returned after the AOS period if no welfare payment was claimed.
Application Process: Step by step
The 143 visa application is a two-step process and must be done from outside Australia, until the applicant does not have a legitimate bizing visa through the temporary original visa (eg subcutaneous 173).
Step 1: Prepare application
Collect identification, relationship, financial and health documents
Check that the child sponsor meets eligibility
Complete required forms (paper-based for this visa)
Step 2: Submit the Application
Submit the application to the Parent Visa Centre (PVC) in Australia
Pay the initial visa charge
Step 3: Wait for processing
Processing time is long – often 6 to 8 years – for limited visa locations in high demand and annual migration program.
Tip: Some families first apply for subclass 173 (temporary) visas, then later infection in 143 visas.
This splits the cost over time.
Step 4: Pay Second Installment and Provide AoS
When the visa is ready to be granted:
Pay the second installment
Submit the Assurance of Support and AoS bond
Step 5: Visa Grants
Once approved, the applicant becomes a permanent resident with full rights to live in Australia, work and use services.
Benefits of subclass 143 visa
Permanent residency for parents
Access to Medicare
Eligibility for citizenship after fulfilling residency criteria
Right to live with children and grandchildren
Option to sponsor other family members
final thoughts
Subclass 143 contributing parents are one of the most reliable routes for the visa parents to be permanently involved in their families in Australia. While the process may be longer and the cost may be high, the reward is sufficient – permanent residence, reunion of the full family, and lifestyle access to Australia.
