Which Australian parent visa should you choose in 2026: 143, 173, 103 or 870?
A cost, speed and status comparison of Australian parent visa options 143, 173, 103 and 870 to help you choose in 2026.
Choosing between the Australian parent visa options in 2026 turns on three questions: do you need permanent residency now, how do you want to fund the contributory charges, and must you be in Australia when the visa is decided? According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) official page (as of the July 2026 version), the direct Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa is the permanent route costing from AUD49,900 for a single applicant; the Contributory Parent (Temporary) (subclass 173) visa followed by subclass 143 spreads that cost across two stages; the standard Parent visa (subclass 103) is cheaper but slower than the two-stage route; and the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa allows temporary stays of up to 3 or 5 years at a time for a maximum total of 10 years, while also blocking a later subclass 143 application if you already applied for or hold it. The regulatory criteria were cross-checked against the Migration Regulations 1994 (subclass 143). This article is general information only and is not personalised migration advice; rely on the official Home Affairs pages and any qualified professional advice for your own circumstances.
How do the four parent visa options compare on cost, speed and status?
| Dimension | Subclass 143 (direct) | Subclass 173 → subclass 143 | Subclass 103 | Subclass 870 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status outcome | Permanent; stay indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare, 5-year travel facility | Subclass 173 is temporary; the second-stage subclass 143 is permanent | Standard Parent visa (subclass 103); unlike 173 and 870, not labelled temporary in Home Affairs material, and cheaper and slower than the two-stage route | Temporary visa for visiting children in Australia |
| Cost | From AUD49,900 for a single applicant, paid in 2 instalments; extra charge for each family member; may be lower for subclass 173 holders | Higher total cost than direct subclass 143 and higher than subclass 103, but spread across the two visas over a longer period | Lower than the 173 → 143 two-stage route; check current visa pricing for the exact amount | Separate fees apply to subclass 870; check current visa pricing for that visa |
| Speed and processing | Demand for Parent visas exceeds available places, so long waits apply with capping and queueing; assessed in 2 stages (initial then final) | Home Affairs describes the two-stage process as faster than subclass 103 | Slower than the 173 → 143 route; also affected by high demand for Parent visa places | Temporary stays of up to 3 or 5 years at a time, maximum total 10 years; check current processing times for this visa |
| Location and lawful stay | Generally you must be outside Australia for the decision unless you applied as a retiree or you hold or held a subclass 173 or substituted Visitor (subclass 600) visa before applying; you are not entitled to a bridging visa unless you apply as a retiree, you held subclass 173 when you applied, or you are a family member of a subclass 173 holder | If you hold subclass 173 when you apply for 143, you can be in Australia for the decision and may have bridging visa access to stay lawful while the second stage is processed | Check the subclass 103 visa page for where you must be when the visa is decided | Temporary visa that allows parents to be in Australia to visit children |
| Hard rule | Cannot apply for this visa if you already applied for or hold subclass 870; balance of family test, sponsor and Assurance of Support required unless exempt | Must apply for 143 before subclass 173 expires; balance of family test already met if you apply before subclass 173 ceases | Compared as the lower-cost alternative to the two-stage route; check current official settings | Holding or having applied for 870 bars a later subclass 143 application |
When does a direct subclass 143 application make sense?
The direct 143 route suits families who want permanent residency and can fund the contributory charge now. It costs from AUD49,900 for a single applicant, paid in two instalments, with the second instalment due before grant and no refund if the application is refused; each additional family member adds to the cost, while concessions apply only in limited circumstances.
From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste pay a lower cost when lodging a valid application, based on the primary applicant holding a valid passport from a listed country such as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea or Vanuatu. In return, subclass 143 gives indefinite stay, work and study rights, access to Medicare, the ability to sponsor family members, and a 5-year travel facility.
You generally must be outside Australia for the grant unless you are a retiree applicant or you hold or held a subclass 173 or substituted Visitor (subclass 600) visa before applying. Most applicants still need an eligible sponsor, the balance of family test and an Assurance of Support, although retiree applicants who on 8 May 2018 held or had previously held an Investor Retirement (subclass 405) or Retirement (subclass 410) visa, have held no other substantive visa since, and are in Australia are exempt from those three requirements.
When is the two-step 173 → 143 route the better option?
The 173 → 143 route is designed to spread cost over several years and is described by Home Affairs as faster than subclass 103. You generally need to hold the subclass 173 visa when you apply for the second stage, have held it in the 28 days before applying, or demonstrate compelling and compassionate circumstances if more time has passed.
Applying for subclass 143 before the 173 visa expires keeps your balance of family test outcome valid, because subclass 173 holders normally do not need to meet that test again. If you hold subclass 173 when you apply, you may remain in Australia for the second-stage decision and may access a bridging visa to stay lawful while it is processed, which the direct 143 route does not normally allow.
The trade-off is cost: the two-stage process costs more overall than applying directly for subclass 143 and more than subclass 103, even though the charge for the subclass 143 second stage may be lower for subclass 173 holders.
Where does the standard Parent visa (subclass 103) fit?
Subclass 103 is the lower-cost comparison point in this group: Home Affairs describes the two-stage route as faster but more expensive than subclass 103, which makes 103 the cheaper and slower option relative to 173 → 143. It is a standard Parent visa (subclass 103) and, unlike subclass 173 and subclass 870, is not labelled temporary in Home Affairs material.
Subclass 103 sits at the lower-cost end of these options but is slower; check current Home Affairs visa pricing for the exact amount before you lodge. Whatever parent route you pick, demand for Parent visa places exceeds the number available each year, so capping and queueing apply and processing takes a long time.
What does the 870 temporary visa offer, and what is the catch?
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa lets parents visit their children in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, for a maximum total of 10 years. It is a genuine option for families who want lengthy, repeat visits now and do not require permanent residency in the short term.
The catch is sequencing: Home Affairs states you cannot apply for subclass 143 if you have already applied for or hold a subclass 870 visa. Because the 870 route closes the door to the contributory permanent 143 pathway, it suits families who accept a temporary outcome or who are certain they do not want the 143 route; families that may want permanent residency later should think carefully before starting with 870.
What requirements apply across most of these pathways?
For subclass 143, health and character requirements apply to you and any family members included in the application, and non-migrating family members might also be asked to meet them; the other parent visas covered here are assessed against their own criteria. For subclass 143 you generally need an approved sponsor, the balance of family test and an Assurance of Support unless an exemption applies, and any debt to the Australian Government must be repaid or have an approved repayment arrangement.
Accurate information matters: failing to provide correct or complete information can affect the application, and not paying the second instalment when asked means Home Affairs may refuse the application without refunding the fee. These are general settings rather than a personalised assessment, so check the official Home Affairs pages for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for subclass 143 if I already hold a subclass 870 visa?
No. The Australian Department of Home Affairs states you cannot apply for the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa. This cut-off runs one way, and it is the single most important sequencing rule in this comparison.
How much does the subclass 143 visa cost?
It costs from AUD49,900 for a single applicant and is paid in two instalments, with additional charges for each family member who applies. Costs may be lower for Contributory Parent (Temporary) (subclass 173) holders, and Home Affairs does not refund the fee if the application is refused.
Is the 173 → 143 route cheaper than applying directly for 143?
No. Home Affairs says the two-stage process costs more than applying directly for subclass 143 and more than subclass 103, even though the cost is spread across the two visas over a longer period. The trade-off is that it is faster than subclass 103 and helps some families manage cash flow.
Do I need to be outside Australia when my 143 visa is granted?
Generally yes; all other Contributory Parent applicants must be outside Australia for the decision unless they applied as a retiree or held a subclass 173 or substituted Visitor (subclass 600) visa before applying. Holding subclass 173 also opens access to a bridging visa so you can stay lawful in Australia while the second stage is processed.
What is the balance of family test and how does it affect the choice?
For subclass 143 you usually need to pass the balance of family test, meaning at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or more eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country. You do not need to meet it again if you hold a subclass 173 visa and apply for 143 before that temporary visa ceases, and retiree applicants are exempt.
Is subclass 103 cheaper or faster than the contributory routes?
Compared with the 173 → 143 two-stage route, Home Affairs describes subclass 103 as cheaper and slower. No fee figure is stated for subclass 103 in this comparison, so check current Home Affairs visa pricing before relying on an exact amount.