Parent visas
Non-Contributory Parent (103/804)
The lower-cost parent pathway, explained honestly. The queue for new lodgements spans decades, so for most families this is not a realistic route.
Requirements
What the 103 and 804 ask of you.
The requirements are modest. The queue is not. We will tell you plainly when the contributory pathway or the 870 serves your family better.
Parent
The offshore non-contributory visa: you must be outside Australia when it is granted. It queues behind every earlier non-contributory application.
Aged Parent
The onshore equivalent for parents who have reached Australian age pension age. Lodging in Australia usually brings a bridging visa, which lets many applicants remain here through the long wait.
Settled sponsor and balance of family
A settled Australian child, or their partner, aged 18 or over sponsors you. At least half of your children must live in Australia, or more of them than in any other single country.
A lighter Assurance of Support
An Assurance of Support still applies before grant, but it is shorter and carries a smaller bond than the ten-year contributory assurance.
The pathway
How we run your 103 or 804.
An honest comparison
Before lodging anything, we weigh this queue against the contributory pathway and the 870, and tell you plainly which route fits your family and timeframe.
Lodgement
The 103 must be granted while you are outside Australia; the 804 is lodged onshore at age pension age. Your queue date is set once the application passes initial assessment.
The long wait
Non-contributory places are scarce each program year. We keep your details current so your place in the queue is protected as far as the rules allow.
Assurance of Support and grant
When your queue date is finally reached, the assurance is arranged and the application moves to decision.
General information only, not immigration advice. Your circumstances matter. Visa requirements, fees and processing times change regularly. Facts on this page last reviewed 15 July 2026. Check current details with the Department of Home Affairs , or speak with us for advice on your situation. Website terms.
Begin with a conversation.
Speak with a MARA-registered migration agent in Melbourne about your pathway. Book a time that suits you.