Written by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent MARN 2619467
Checked against Department of Home Affairs guidance on 7 October 2026
Parent visa waiting time in Australia is long, and for most permanent parent visas it is measured in years, not months. Home Affairs currently estimates about 18 years for a new Contributory Parent visa application and about 42 years for a new Parent or Aged Parent visa application. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is the one parent option that is not capped and queued.
This guide explains why the waits are so long, what the parent visa queue release dates mean, how to read the 143 visa processing time and 103 visa processing time figures, and what families can do while they wait. It is written for adult children in Australia who are thinking about bringing their parents here, and for parents who have already applied.
Why are parent visa waiting times so long?
Most parent visas are subject to capping and queueing. Home Affairs says capping means there is a maximum number of visas it can grant each migration program year. Once that number is reached, no more visas in that group are granted until the next program year starts.
Every year, many more people apply than there are places. The applications that cannot be granted in a year do not get refused. They wait in a queue in date order. That is why the gap between applying and getting a decision keeps growing.
The capped and queued parent visas are:
- Parent visa (subclass 103)
- Aged Parent visa (subclass 804)
- Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) and the Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)
- Contributory Aged Parent visas (subclasses 864 and 884)
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is excluded from capping and queueing. For an overview of every option, see our parent visas page.
How does the parent visa queue work?
Home Affairs describes two stages:
- Initial assessment. The department checks whether the application meets the core visa criteria. If it does, the application is given a queue date and placed in the queue. Home Affairs acknowledges new applications in about 4 weeks.
- Final assessment. As places become available in later program years, applications are released from the queue in queue date order. Home Affairs then contacts the applicant in writing and finishes the assessment.
Your queue date is not always the day you lodged. Home Affairs says that for Contributory Parent visa applications lodged before 1 June 2018, the queue date is the lodgement date. For other applications, the queue date is assigned once the application is assessed as meeting the core visa criteria.
Home Affairs assesses all Parent visa applications in lodgement date order, so there is no way to move ahead in the queue by paying more or writing to the department.
What is the current parent visa processing time?
Home Affairs states that it cannot give exact processing timeframes for capped and queued parent visas. It does publish estimates for new applications and the queue dates it has reached. As at the page updated on 6 October 2026:
| Parent visa type | Estimated wait for a new application (Home Affairs) | Queue released up to (as at 31 August 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Contributory Parent (143 and 173) | About 18 years | Queue date up to November 2018 |
| Contributory Aged Parent (864 and 884) | Home Affairs does not publish a separate figure | Queue date up to November 2020 |
| Parent (103) | About 42 years | Queued up to March 2014 |
| Aged Parent (804) | About 42 years | Queued up to October 2014 |
| Temporary to permanent (173 to 143, 884 to 864) | Home Affairs does not publish a separate figure | Visa assessment date: May 2026 |
| Sponsored Parent (Temporary) 870 | Not capped and queued | Not applicable |
These figures change as the department works through the queue, so check the Home Affairs parent visa processing page before you make plans.
What is the 143 visa processing time?
The 143 visa processing time for a new application is estimated by Home Affairs at about 18 years. As at 31 August 2026, the department had released Contributory Parent applications with a queue date up to November 2018 for final processing, and was doing the queue assessment for 143 applications lodged in April 2024.
The contributory visas are much faster than the non-contributory ones in practice, and they cost much more. Fees are covered in a separate guide, and the exact amounts are listed on the Home Affairs visa pricing pages.
Some families split the cost by first applying for the temporary 173 visa and then moving to the 143. Home Affairs lists the temporary to permanent (173 to 143) visa assessment date as May 2026.
What is the 103 visa processing time?
The 103 visa processing time for a new application is estimated by Home Affairs at about 42 years. As at 31 August 2026, Parent visa applications queued up to March 2014 had been released for final processing, and queue assessment was being done for applications lodged in February 2023.
For many parents, a wait of that length means the 103 will not be a realistic way to live in Australia. That does not mean the 103 is never worth lodging, but it should be a decision made with the timeline in mind, not one made in the hope that things will speed up.
How does the 870 visa compare?
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) sits outside the parent visa queue. Home Affairs lists it as a temporary visa that lets a parent stay for up to 3 or 5 years. It does not lead to permanent residence on its own, but it is often the practical choice for families who want a parent here sooner and for longer than a visitor visa allows.
The 870 has its own sponsorship and eligibility rules, and it is not right for every family. Our 870 visa page explains how it works.
Who is eligible for a parent visa?
The main requirements for the permanent parent visas include:
- A sponsoring child in Australia. The parent is sponsored by their child, who must meet the sponsor rules for the subclass.
- The balance of family test. Home Affairs describes the 103 as a visa for a parent whose children live in Australia in greater numbers than in any other country. Our balance of family test guide shows how children are counted.
- An assurance of support. Home Affairs says an assurance of support is mandatory for some migrant visas and must be met before the visa is granted. For Contributory Parent and Contributory Aged Parent visas it lasts 10 years. For other visas it lasts up to 4 years. The assurer must also lodge a refundable bond. See our assurance of support page.
- Health, character and security checks. These are part of the final assessment.
The aged visas (804, 864 and 884) have their own age and location rules. Check the subclass page before choosing between the aged and non-aged options.
What happens when your application leaves the queue?
Home Affairs will contact you in writing when your application is released for final processing. At that point the department usually asks for up-to-date information, which can include:
- health examinations and police certificates
- the assurance of support and bond
- the second instalment of the visa application charge
- updated details about the family, the sponsor and the balance of family test
Families sometimes get caught out because years have passed since lodgement. A sponsor may have moved overseas, family numbers may have changed, or contact details are out of date. Keep your ImmiAccount details current so you do not miss the release letter.
What are common mistakes to avoid?
- Treating the estimate as a promise. Home Affairs says processing depends on how complete the application is, how quickly you respond, security checks and how many places are available.
- Choosing the 103 without looking at the timeline. A wait estimated at 42 years changes the decision for most families.
- Not planning for the assurance of support. The assurance of support and bond must be in place before grant, often many years after lodgement.
- Letting details go stale. Tell Home Affairs about changes of address, family changes and changes to the sponsor.
- Assuming the temporary to permanent step is automatic. Moving from a 173 to a 143, or a 884 to a 864, has its own criteria.
Who should consider which option?
There is no single right answer. Families who can afford the contributory charges and want permanent residence for a parent often look at the 143, or the 173 followed by the 143. Families who mainly want a parent here for long stays, without the contributory cost, often look at the 870. The 103 suits fewer families because of the wait.
The choice also depends on the parent's age, where they live now, the balance of family test and who can act as the assurer. If you are unsure, book your consultation and we can look at your family's situation and timeline.
Parent visa waiting time: common questions
Can I pay to speed up my parent visa?
No. Parent visa applications are assessed in date order. Choosing a contributory visa instead of a non-contributory one is the main way the expected wait changes.
Does the parent visa queue move every year?
Yes, it moves as places become available each migration program year. Home Affairs updates the queue release dates on its processing page.
Can a parent visit Australia while the application is in the queue?
A queued application does not give a right to stay in Australia. Parents who want to visit usually need a separate visa, such as a visitor visa or the 870.
How long is the parent visa processing time for an aged parent?
Home Affairs estimates about 42 years for a new Aged Parent (804) application and about 18 years for contributory parent visas. As at 31 August 2026, Contributory Aged Parent applications with a queue date up to November 2020 had been released.
Where can I check the latest parent visa queue release dates?
On the Home Affairs parent visas queue release dates page.
Next steps
Parent visa waiting times are long, but the right subclass and a well-prepared application can make a real difference to when your parents can join you. To talk through the 143, 173, 103, 804, 864 or 870 options, book your consultation with our team.
Sources: Home Affairs - About parent visas; Home Affairs - Assurance of support.
This article is general information only and is not migration advice for your circumstances. Visa rules, processing estimates and queue dates change. Book a consultation with a registered migration agent before you make a decision or lodge an application.