Contributory parent visas (143, 173, 864, 884)
A 143 applicant can be in or outside Australia when applying but must be outside Australia when the visa is decided and receives no bridging visa, unless the application was made while holding a 173 visa or under the Retirement pathway. An 864 or 884 applicant must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted, and is likely to receive a bridging visa to remain lawfully while the application is decided. Whether that bridging visa allows work depends on its conditions; a work-permitted bridging visa usually requires proof of financial hardship.
- Government charge
- From AUD49,900 for 143/864, in two instalments
- Lodgement
- 103, 143, 804 and 864 online from 22 April 2026
What we do
- 01Prepare the application, including the age pension age and onshore requirements for the aged parent visas.
- 02Arrange the assurance of support with Services Australia and advise the assurer on the bank guarantee.
- 03Deal with the Department during the queue: changes of address, health and character requests, and the second instalment.
When you need this
- One parent is already at Age Pension age and in Australia, and you want them to be able to stay while the application is decided.
- An earlier application was refused, or the second instalment invoice has arrived and you need advice before paying.
Who you will work with
Jing Sun
Principal Solicitor · Notary Public
Founder and Principal Solicitor with 16+ years across commercial, corporate, litigation and immigration law. Also a Notary Public.
ProfilePoints worth knowing
The contributory charge is paid in two instalments
For the 143 and 864 visas the government charge is from AUD49,900 for a single applicant over two instalments; the second instalment, AUD43,600, is invoiced before grant and the application is refused if it is not paid. The temporary 173 and 884 visas spread the cost: a 2 year temporary visa first, then a reduced second instalment when the permanent visa is applied for before the temporary visa expires. Charges are reviewed by the Department, usually in July.
Assurance of support
For the contributory visas an assurance of support stays in place for 10 years, with a bank guarantee from an individual assurer of AUD10,000 for one adult or AUD14,000 for two; for the other parent visas it lasts 4 years with a guarantee of AUD5,000 or AUD7,000. The assurer need not be the sponsor and can be more than one person or an organisation.
Aged parent means Age Pension age
The 864, 884 and 804 visas require the parent to be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension.
Online lodgement is now mandatory for the permanent visas
Applications for the 103, 143, 804 and 864 visas made on or after 22 April 2026 must be lodged online through ImmiAccount; the temporary 173 and 884 visas remain paper applications.
How we work
- 01A first conversation in English or Mandarin about your family: where each child lives, the parents' ages, health and visa history, and what the family can commit to.
- 02Before any work starts, we confirm the scope of work and our fees in writing, separately from the government charges.
- 03We lodge a complete application, arrange the assurance of support when the Department asks for it, and manage the file through the queue to grant.
Common questions
Should my parents apply for the 143 or the 864?
The 864 is for parents already at Age Pension age who are in Australia; they can wait here on a bridging visa. The 143 is for parents under that age or outside Australia; they must be outside Australia when it is granted. The charge for a single applicant is the same; additional applicant charges differ.
My parents are not at pension age but want to stay in Australia while they wait. What are the options?
A 143 applicant who does not hold a 173 visa cannot wait in Australia on a bridging visa. The usual options are the temporary 173 visa, which gives 2 years in Australia and a bridging visa when the 143 is lodged before it expires; visitor visas between trips; or the 870 visa for up to 10 years in total, bearing in mind that an 870 applicant cannot later apply for the 143 visa.
Can we pay the second instalment in parts?
The second instalment is invoiced by the Department before grant and must be paid in full for the visa to be granted. Families who want to spread the cost usually consider the temporary 173 or 884 route first.
This page is general information about Australian immigration law and is not legal advice. Please contact us about your own situation.
Last updated: October 2026