As the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen you may be eligible for a parent visa.

You must meet the “balance of family” test which means that at least 50% of your children must be Australian permanent residents or citizens and your sponsor should have lived in Australia for at least 2 years before lodging the sponsorship. Your sponsor should also be over the age of 18 years.

This particular programme includes categories for parent visas and contributory parent visas. Because the number of parent visas available each program year are severely restricted, the processing time on these visas can run into many, many years.

The Contributory Parent category was introduced in mid-2003 to allow the expansion of the Parent Migration program on the basis that applicants pay a higher visa application charge and a larger Assurance of Support (AoS) bond (with a longer AoS period). This visa category has recently been capped, but with more spaces available processing times on this visa category are not as long as those for the parent visa.

Once you have been granted a permanent residency visa you will be entitled to work and study in Australia, and to receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare. Subject to waiting periods you will also be able to access other social security payments and sponsor other family members. After living in Australia for 4 years you would be entitled to obtain Australian citizenship.