Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)

Australia’s Subclass 143 Visa: Permanent Residency Pathway for Parents

Key Benefits of Subclass 143 Visa

• Live, work, and study in Australia permanently
• Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
• Apply for Australian citizenship (if you meet eligibility requirements)
• Sponsor other eligible family members for permanent residency
• Travel in and out of Australia freely for 5 years from the date the visa is granted

Eligibility Criteria

• Be sponsored by your child (who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen)
• Meet the Balance of Family Test (at least half of your children must live in Australia, or more of your children live in Australia than in any other country)
• Fulfill the health and character requirements set by the Australian Government
• Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or have arranged repayment

Who Can Sponsor You?

If your child is 18 years or older, they can directly sponsor you. If your child is under 18, the sponsor can be:

• The child’s partner/spouse (if they are a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen)
• A relative or guardian of the child
• A relative or guardian of the child’s partner
• A community organisation willing to provide sponsorship (with proper proof of relationship and financial support capacity)

Family Members You Can Include

• Your partner
• Your or your partner’s dependent children/stepchildren

Health and Character Requirements

• All applicants must undergo a medical examination within 12 months of lodging the visa application
• Police clearance certificates are required for every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (since turning 16)
• Applicants over 18 must sign the Australian Values Statement, confirming commitment to respect Australian laws and culture

Visa Costs (Subclass 143)

Application Process — Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)

Step 1 — Confirm Eligibility & Sponsor

• Ensure your child (or eligible sponsor if your child is under 18) is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
• Check Balance of Family, health, and character criteria.

Step 2 — Gather Evidence

• Identity: passports, birth certificates, name-change docs.
• Relationship: evidence your sponsor is your child (or approved alternative sponsor).
• Family composition: details of all children.
• Health insurance (until Medicare eligibility after grant).
• Police clearances (as required).
• Financials if requested and any prior visa history.

Step 3 — Assurance of Support (AoS) Preparation

• Your sponsor/assurer arranges an Assurance of Support and is ready to lodge the AoS when the Department requests it (usually later in processing).

Step 4 — Lodge Visa Application (Subclass 143)

• Submit the complete application with the first VAC (initial government charge).
• Include all dependants you wish to migrate with you—new additions after lodgement are limited.

Step 5 — Health, Character & Biometrics

• Complete medical examinations when instructed.
• Provide police certificates for countries lived in (as directed).
• Give biometrics if requested.

Step 6 — AoS & Second VAC

• When invited, your assurer lodges the Assurance of Support and any associated bond.
• Pay the second VAC (contributory charge) when requested to progress to decision.

Step 7 — Queue & Case Assessment

• The application may enter a queue due to annual places.
• Respond promptly to any requests for further information to avoid delays.

Step 8 — Decision & Grant

• If approved, you receive your permanent Subclass 143 visa grant with travel facility (generally 5 years from grant).
• If you are outside Australia, travel to Australia within the validity specified on the grant notice.

Step 9 — After Grant

• Enrol in Medicare.
• Keep records of time spent in Australia for future citizenship eligibility (if applicable).
• Renew travel facility in future (e.g., Resident Return Visa) if you plan to travel after the initial 5-year period.

Tips for a smooth process

• Lodge a decision-ready application (certified docs, accurate forms).
• Keep contact details updated and check correspondence regularly.
• Disclose all children/family members upfront to avoid complications later.

Why Apical Immigration Experts — Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)

• Specialists in Parent Migration: Deep experience with Subclass 143 pathways, Balance of Family tests, and policy nuances.
• Decision-Ready Applications: Meticulous document checklists, certified evidence, and clear forms to minimise back-and-forth.
• Assurance of Support (AoS) Guidance: Step-by-step support for the sponsor/assurer, including bond timing and Centrelink processes.
• Transparent, Fair Fees: Up-front scope, staged milestones, and no surprises.
• Seven-Day Client Support: Quick answers to case updates, requests for more info, and departmental notices.
• End-to-End Case Management: From eligibility and strategy to health/character, AoS, second VAC, and grant.
• High Success Mindset: We focus on complete, well-evidenced files that reduce delays and improve outcomes.

Book a consultation and let us take care of the paperwork so your family can focus on preparing for life in Australia.