How this Visa Works

Applicants for non-contributory parent visas may have to wait many years before being granted a visa, as the Government limits the number of places available each program year. To manage demand fairly, people who apply and meet core criteria for the grant of this visa, are placed in a global queue.

Because of long waiting periods, applicants may choose to apply for a Contributory parent visa where applicants (or their sponsor) pay a much larger visa application charge and Assurance of Support bond. Applicants (or their sponsor) are contributing to Government revenue and helping to offset some costs placed on the community by parent migration. The Government also limits the number of places available for Contributory parents each year, but there are more places available so the waiting period for grant of a Contributory parent visa is much shorter.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities for this visa are summarised in the table below.

Person	Responsibility
Sponsor	Must give a written undertaking to provide support, accommodation and financial assistance for the applicant, and the applicant's accompanying partner and dependent family members, for their first two (2) years of residency in Australia.
Applicant	Complete and lodge the application including the application charge and all supporting documentation.
Assurer of Support (can be the sponsor or another person)	Be prepared to: provide financial assistance to the applicant and the applicant's accompanying partner and dependent family members so they do not need to rely on any government forms of support for two (2) years of residency repay any recoverable social security payments made to the applicant or their accompanying partner and dependent family members in the first two (2) years of residency in Australia. Note: You must not lodge an Assurance of Support until it is asked for. Details on how to provide an Assurance of Support will be sent to the applicant after the visa application has been received. See: Assurance of Support

Government benefits

If you are granted this visa you will have a waiting period before you are eligible to receive most social security payments.

Waiting periods are generally two (2) years for most social security payments and ten (10) years for age and disability pension payments (exemptions may apply).
See: What support is there if I do not find work?

Parent visa definitions

The following terms are used for this visa.
See: Definitions