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For many migrants, bringing their parents to Australia is a major milestone. One of the first questions families ask is: how much does a Contributory Parent Visa cost? According to the Department of Home Affairs, the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) starts from AUD 48,640, while the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) starts from AUD 32,525 for a single applicant. Additional expenses such as health examinations, police certificates, and document translations may also apply. Recent attention has also focused on parent visa costs after the Australian Government Actuary set the Contributory Parent Visa Composite Index at 3.1% for 2026/27. While this does not automatically change visa fees, it highlights the importance of understanding current costs and future updates before applying.
What Is a Contributory Parent Visa?
A Contributory Parent Visa allows eligible parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia. Compared with non-contributory parent visas, these visa options involve higher government charges but generally offer shorter processing times.
There are four contributory parent visa categories available:
Before looking at each visa in detail, the table below provides an overview of Australia's contributory parent visa pathways and their current government charges.
For many families, the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is the most direct pathway to bringing parents to Australia permanently. However, it is also one of the most expensive parent visa options available.
The amount you pay will depend on your circumstances. Applicants applying directly for Subclass 143 are generally subject to the standard fee structure, while those who already hold a Subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa may qualify for reduced application charges when transitioning to permanent residency.
The first instalment is paid when the visa application is lodged, while the second instalment is generally payable before the visa is granted.
Parents who already hold a Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) generally pay lower application charges than applicants who apply directly for a Subclass 143 visa.
This is because a significant portion of the visa cost has already been paid during the temporary visa stage.
As a result, the transition from Subclass 173 to Subclass 143 is generally less expensive than applying directly for a permanent Subclass 143 visa.
Unlike non-contributory parent visas, contributory parent visas require applicants to pay higher government charges in exchange for access to a faster processing queue.
For many families, the higher fee is a trade-off for shorter processing times and a more direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
Important: Visa charges can vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and the pricing category that applies under the Department of Home Affairs fee schedule. Applicants should also budget for additional expenses such as the Assurance of Support (AoS) bond, health examinations, police certificates, and document translations.
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) allows eligible parents to live in Australia temporarily before applying for permanent residency through the Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa.
Many families choose this pathway because it spreads the overall visa cost across multiple stages rather than requiring the full permanent visa cost upfront.
The first instalment is paid when the visa application is lodged, while the second instalment is generally payable before the visa is granted. For most adult applicants, the second instalment is AUD 29,130, bringing the total visa cost to AUD 32,525.
If both parents apply together under Subclass 173, the government visa charges can increase significantly.
These figures represent government visa charges only and do not include additional expenses such as health examinations, police certificates, document translations, or other application-related costs.
The Subclass 173 visa is often chosen by families who prefer to spread the cost of migration over time. After meeting the relevant requirements, visa holders can later apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa and continue their pathway towards permanent residency in Australia.
However, applicants should remember that transitioning from Subclass 173 to Subclass 143 will involve additional visa charges at the permanent visa stage.
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is a permanent visa designed for eligible aged parents who are already in Australia and meet the age requirements for an Australian Age Pension.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the Subclass 864 visa currently starts from AUD 48,640 for a single applicant and is generally paid in two installments.
For most direct applicants, the current government charges include:
Applicants may also need to budget for additional costs such as health examinations, police certificates, document translations, and Assurance of Support requirements.
The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884) is a temporary onshore visa that allows eligible aged parents to remain in Australia before applying for permanent residency through the Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa.
According to current government pricing, the Subclass 884 visa starts from AUD 34,170 for a single applicant and is generally paid in two installments.
The first instalment is paid when the application is lodged, while the second instalment is generally payable before the visa is granted.
Note: Because Subclass 884 is an onshore visa, eligible applicants may be granted a Bridging Visa after lodging a valid application. This can allow them to remain lawfully in Australia while their visa application is being processed, which may be particularly beneficial given the long processing times associated with parent visa programs.
After meeting the relevant requirements, Subclass 884 visa holders may apply for the permanent Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa, which involves additional visa charges at the permanent stage.
Government visa charges are usually the largest expense, but they are not the only costs involved in a contributory parent visa application.
Most contributory parent visa applicants are required to satisfy the Assurance of Support (AoS) requirement before visa grant.
The AoS bond is generally refundable at the end of the assurance period, subject to the relevant government conditions being met.
Parent visa applicants are generally required to undergo health examinations as part of the visa assessment process.
For applicants completing their medical examinations in Australia, costs typically range from AUD 500 to AUD 700 per person, depending on the medical provider and any additional tests that may be required.
In some cases, applicants may be asked to complete specialist examinations or provide further medical reports, which can increase the overall cost of the application.
Police clearances may be required from countries where the applicant has lived for a specified period. The number of certificates required and the associated costs will depend on the applicant's personal circumstances and immigration history.
Documents that are not in English may need to be translated by a NAATI-certified translator.
Common examples include:
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Identity documents
Family relationship documents
Translation costs typically range from AUD 30–60 per document, depending on the document type and translator.
When paying visa application charges through ImmiAccount, payment processing surcharges may apply depending on the payment method used.
For large visa payments, these charges can add several hundred dollars to the overall application cost. For example, paying a large second installment by card may attract additional processing fees.
In May 2026, the Australian Government Actuary announced that the Contributory Parent Visa Composite Index for 2026/27 had been set at 3.1%.
This announcement generated interest among many parent visa applicants because it relates to the framework used under Australian legislation to adjust contributory parent visa charge limits.
However, the index should not be confused with an automatic visa fee increase. A 3.1% index does not mean contributory parent visa charges have increased by 3.1%.
Instead, the index forms part of the methodology used to calculate future charge limits. Any actual changes to visa application charges are determined and published separately by the Australian Government.
For applicants, the key takeaway is simple: the 3.1% index is an indicator used in future calculations, not a direct increase in current visa fees.
One of the biggest concerns for applicants is whether parent visa costs will continue to rise.
In May 2026, the Australian Government Actuary announced that the Contributory Parent Visa Composite Index for 2026/27 was set at 3.1%. This index forms part of the framework used under Australian legislation to adjust contributory parent visa charge limits.
However, applicants should understand an important distinction:
A 3.1% index does not automatically mean that visa fees have increased by 3.1%.
The index is used in calculating future charge limits, but actual visa charges are determined and published separately by the Australian Government.
For this reason, applicants should avoid relying on speculation and instead monitor official Department of Home Affairs updates when planning their applications.
The latest indexation update highlights an important reality: parent visa costs can change over time.
Families considering a contributory parent visa often ask whether they should apply sooner rather than later.
While every situation is different, delaying an application may expose applicants to future policy or pricing changes that are outside their control.
For many families, understanding current costs and planning early can provide greater certainty.
For many families, the visa application charge is only one part of the overall financial commitment. During the planning stage, it is easy to overlook expenses that arise later in the process.
One of the most common mistakes is focusing solely on the published visa fee. In reality, additional costs such as health examinations, police certificates, document translations, Assurance of Support requirements, and travel expenses can add significantly to the overall budget.
The Subclass 173 pathway can make the initial cost more manageable, but it is important to remember that additional charges apply when transitioning to the permanent Subclass 143 visa. Planning only for the temporary visa stage can lead to unexpected expenses later.
Parent visa applications often involve lengthy processing periods. During that time, government charges, personal circumstances, and financial commitments can change. Building some flexibility into your budget can help avoid future financial pressure.
Parent visa fees, sponsorship requirements, and migration policies can change over time. Before making financial decisions, it is worth checking the latest information published by the Department of Home Affairs and other relevant government agencies.
According to current published government charges, the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) starts from AUD 48,640 for a single applicant.
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) currently starts from AUD 32,525 for a single applicant.
Subclass 143 is a permanent visa, while Subclass 173 is a temporary visa that provides a pathway to permanent residency.
Yes. Visa charges can change over time. Applicants should always check current government pricing before lodging an application.
No. The 3.1% Contributory Parent Visa Composite Index is part of the framework used to adjust charge limits. It does not automatically mean visa fees increased by 3.1%.
No. Health examinations are generally separate from government visa application charges.
Many applicants will need to provide police clearances as part of the visa assessment process.
The initial cost is lower, but applicants should also consider future costs associated with transitioning to permanent residency.
Yes. However, additional applicant charges and other expenses will increase the overall cost.
The most reliable source is the Department of Home Affairs website, which publishes current visa pricing and charge information.
A contributory parent visa can involve a significant financial commitment, with the Subclass 143 visa starting from AUD 48,640 and the Subclass 173 visa starting from AUD 32,525. Beyond government charges, families should also consider costs such as the Assurance of Support, health examinations, and document preparation.
While the 3.1% Contributory Parent Visa Composite Index has attracted attention, it does not automatically mean visa fees have increased. Understanding the available visa pathways and associated costs can help families plan more effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.
