Australia is a popular destination for many migrants who want to reunite with their families and enjoy a high quality of life. However, bringing your aged parents to Australia can be a complex and lengthy process that requires careful planning and preparation. In this article, we will explain the different visa options, eligibility criteria, and application steps for bringing your aged parents to Australia.
Visa Options
There are two main categories of visas that allow you to bring your aged parents to Australia: non-contributory and contributory. Non-contributory visas are cheaper but have very long waiting times (up to 30 years). Contributory visas are more expensive but have shorter waiting times (up to 5 years).
Non-contributory visas include:
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103): This is a permanent visa that allows your parents to live, work, and study in Australia. They can also access Medicare and apply for Australian citizenship. To be eligible, your parents must pass the balance of family test, which means that at least half of their children must live permanently in Australia or more children live in Australia than in any other country. They must also have a sponsor, meet health and character requirements, and pay a visa fee of $6,415.
- Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804): This is a permanent visa that has the same benefits and requirements as the Parent Visa, except that your parents must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia. They must also apply onshore, which means that they must be in Australia when they lodge their application and when it is granted. The visa fee is $4,155.
Contributory visas include:
- Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143): This is a permanent visa that has the same benefits and requirements as the Parent Visa, except that your parents must pay a higher visa fee of $47,755 and an assurance of support bond of $10,000 for the main applicant and $4,000 for each additional applicant. The assurance of support bond is a refundable deposit that guarantees that your parents will not rely on social welfare payments in Australia. It is usually paid by the sponsor or a third party and is held by the government for 10 years.
- Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864): This is a permanent visa that has the same benefits and requirements as the Aged Parent Visa Australia, except that your parents must pay the same fees and bond as the Contributory Parent Visa. They must also apply onshore.
- Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173): This is a temporary visa that allows your parents to live in Australia for up to two years. They can also work and study in Australia. To be eligible, they must meet the same requirements as the Contributory Parent Visa, except that they must pay a lower visa fee of $31,930 and a lower assurance of support bond of $7,500 for the main applicant and $3,000 for each additional applicant. They can then apply for the permanent Contributory Parent Visa within two years and pay the remaining fees and bond.
- Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884): This is a temporary visa that has the same benefits and requirements as the Contributory Aged Parent Visa, except that they must pay the same fees and bond as the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa. They must also apply onshore. They can then apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa within two years and pay the remaining fees and bond.
Application Steps
The general steps for applying for any of these visas are:
- Check your eligibility: You should make sure that you and your parents meet all the criteria for the visa you want to apply for. You should also consider the costs, waiting times, and processing times involved.
- Find a sponsor: You or another eligible person must agree to sponsor your parents for their visa application. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is at least 18 years old and has lived lawfully in Australia for at least two years before applying. The sponsor must also provide financial and moral support to your parents for up to 10 years.
- Lodge an expression of interest: For some visas, such as the Parent Visa or the Aged Parent Visa, you must first lodge an expression of interest (EOI) online through SkillSelect. This is a way of indicating your interest in applying for a visa without submitting a formal application. You will need to provide basic information about yourself and your parents, such as their names, dates of birth, countries of residence, and relationship to you. You will then be placed in a queue until a place becomes available.
- Lodge an application: Once you are invited to apply or if you do not need an EOI, you can lodge an application online or by post. You will need to fill out an application form, pay the visa fee, and provide supporting documents, such as identity documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, medical examinations, and proof of sponsorship. You may also need to provide biometrics, such as fingerprints and photos.
- Wait for a decision: The processing time for your application will depend on the visa type, the number of applications, and the complexity of your case. You can check the status of your application online or by contacting the Department of Home Affairs. You may also be asked to provide additional information or attend an interview.
- Receive your visa: If your application is approved, you will receive a visa grant letter that confirms your visa details, such as the visa subclass, the visa grant number, the date of grant, and the conditions of your visa. You should keep this letter for your records and follow the instructions on how to use your visa.
Conclusion
Bringing your aged parents to Australia can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for you and your family. However, it can also be a challenging and lengthy process that requires careful planning and preparation. You should consider the different visa options, eligibility criteria, and application steps for bringing your aged parents to Australia and choose the one that best suits your situation. You should also seek professional advice from a registered migration agent or lawyer if you have any questions or concerns about your visa application.
