Subclass 103
The Subclass 103 visa is a permanent pathway for parents to reside in Australia with their Australian permanent resident, citizen, or ENZC children.
The 103 Parent Visa
The Subclass 103 is a permanent visa for parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It allows parents to live in Australia indefinitely, though applicants should be aware of significant processing times.
This visa is subject to Capping and Queueing, meaning that while it is a valid pathway, the current estimated processing timeframe for new applications as of 2026 is approximately 33 years.
Key Factors:
- Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by an eligible child (or their spouse) who is settled in Australia.
- Balance of Family (BoF) Test: You must meet the numerical requirement where at least half of your children are eligible children, or more of your eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): A legal commitment is required to provide financial support, ensuring you do not rely on government social security. A bond of AUD 5,000 is standard for the primary applicant.
- Health and Character: All applicants and non-migrating family unit members must satisfy mandatory Australian health and character standards.
The Parent Visa Requirements
Applicant Requirements
What it is for: Parents of settled Australians seeking to live permanently in Australia.
What it allows: Permanent stay; full work and study rights; access to Medicare; and a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Key Requirements:
- Must satisfy the Balance of Family test.
- Must have an eligible, settled sponsor.
- Must meet health and character standards.
Length of Stay: Permanent.
Work Rights: Unrestricted.
Sponsor Requirements
Eligibility: Must be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key Limitations:
- The sponsor must be settled (usually residing in Australia for at least 2 years).
- If the child is under 18, their spouse or a legal guardian over 18 may act as the sponsor.
- Sponsors must declare any criminal convictions; significantrecords may result in refusal.
Maintaining compliance
- RelationshipStability: You must remain a parent to the sponsoring child (unless specific exemptions for death or family violence apply).
- AoS Maintenance: The Assurance of Support remains in place for 2 years after your permanent visa is granted.
The 103 Application Process
Eligibility Audit
Verify the applicant satisfies the Balance of Family test and has an eligible, settled sponsoring child.
Sponsorship & Lodgement
Secure sponsorship and lodge the application either onshore or offshore with all required relationship documentation.
Queue Assessment
The Department performs an initial assessment against core criteria, including the BoF test, health, and character.
Queue Placement
Once core criteria are met, the application is assigned a "Queue Date" and placed in the official queue.
Final Assessment
When a place becomes available under the annual cap (based on the July 2013 queue release date), the visa is released for final decision.
For 103 Visa Applicants
The Subclass 103 requires strict adherence to the Balance of Family (BoF) test. At Immilex, we assess your family structure and the residency status of your children to ensure this numerical benchmark is logically documented and supported by verifiable evidence.
It is also important to plan for the 33-year processing queue. As this visa is subject to annual capping, applicants should evaluate whether the long wait aligns with their residency goals. If a faster outcome is required, we recommend evaluating the Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) stream, which significantly reduces wait times in exchange for higher costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Subclass 103 is a non-contributory visa with a lower application fee but a 33-year wait. The Subclass 143 is a contributory visa with a significantly higher fee (AUD 47,000+) but a shorter wait of approximately 7-15 years.
Yes. The test counts all biological, adopted, and step-children of both you and your current partner.
Yes, provided you do not have a "No Further Stay" condition on your current visa. However, applying onshore does not provide a Bridging Visa.
Manage Your Parent Visa with Care
The Parent visa involves complex requirements. Contact us at Immilex for an assessment of your evidence to ensure your application meets the Department's high standards.