Overview
Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent) is the realistic permanent pathway for parents of settled Australians — a capped program where the family funds a substantial contributory charge in exchange for a queue measured in years rather than decades.
Defining features:
- Balance-of-family test gates eligibility before anything else.
- Two instalments: a standard first instalment, then a large second instalment (the defining cost) before grant.
- Two-step option: temporary subclass 173 first spreads the cost but raises the total; onshore aged parents may use 864/884.
- Permanent residence on grant.
Detailed legal content (current charges, assurance-of-support amounts, queue status) needs verification against current rules. Book a consultation to quote the full current cost for your family before committing.
Key eligibility
- Parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen who is settled in Australia
- Pass the balance-of-family test (at least half your children settled in Australia, or more in Australia than any other single country)
- An eligible sponsor (usually the child) + assurance of support
- Health and character requirements
Process
- 01
Confirm balance-of-family + sponsor
The balance-of-family test gates eligibility — count all children and where they are settled before anything else.
- 02
Lodge 143 (or 173 first)
Apply directly for the permanent 143, or split the cost via the temporary subclass 173 first (the two-step total exceeds applying directly). Aged parents onshore may use 864/884.
- 03
Pay the second instalment + grant
The large second instalment is requested before grant. Grant confers permanent residence (PR).
Estimated cost
| Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) | AUD 49,900+ total |
| VisaAffairs service fee | Quoted after initial consultation |
| Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) | Varies by case |
How VisaAffairs helps
Clear eligibility assessment
VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.
Document set reviewed item-by-item
Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.
Case officer tracking
VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.