Contributory Parent Visa (143) Glossary
If you're navigating the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) — whether as an applicant or a sponsor — you'll quickly encounter a wall of acronyms and bureaucratic terms. This glossary explains them in plain English so you can follow the process with confidence.
The Visas
Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
A permanent visa that allows the parents of eligible Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia indefinitely. It requires payment of a substantial "contribution charge" (on top of the standard visa application charge) and a mandatory Assurance of Support. Processing times are measured in years.
Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 884 / subclass 864)
Variants of the Contributory Parent visa for applicants who are already of age pension age at the time of application. Subclass 884 is the temporary stage; subclass 864 is the permanent stage. Eligibility and fee structures mirror those of subclasses 173 and 143.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)
An optional temporary visa that allows parents to begin living in Australia while waiting for their permanent subclass 143 visa to be processed. Applying for the 173 first means you pay the first instalment of the contribution charge upfront, then the second instalment when granted the 143. Many applicants apply directly for the 143 without going through the 173 first.
Stage 1 / Stage 2 application
The two-stage process used when an applicant applies for both the 173 (temporary) and 143 (permanent) visas. Stage 1 refers to the 173 application and grant; Stage 2 refers to the subsequent 143 application and grant. Applying for the 143 directly (without the 173) is a single-stage process.
People
Applicant
The parent or step-parent applying for the visa. The applicant must be outside Australia when the visa is granted (for the subclass 143 direct application pathway). Secondary applicants — such as a partner — can be included in the same application.
Sponsor
The child (or step-child) of the applicant who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, and who lodges a formal sponsorship for the parent's visa. The sponsor must be settled in Australia (ordinarily resident for at least two years) and agree to be legally responsible for the assurer's obligations during the Assurance of Support period.
Assurer
The person — usually the sponsor or another eligible Australian resident — who lodges the Assurance of Support with the Department of Social Services (DSS). The assurer commits to repaying any social security payments the visa holder receives during the AOS period.
Assuree
The visa holder who is covered by the Assurance of Support — i.e., the parent granted the visa (and any secondary applicants included in the same application).
Case Officer (CO)
The Department of Home Affairs officer assigned to assess a specific application. When the community says "I got a CO" or "CO contact received", it usually means the application is actively being reviewed — often a sign the final decision is approaching.
Key Tests and Requirements
Balance of Family Test
One of the core eligibility tests for all parent visas. The applicant must demonstrate that at least half of their children are lawfully and permanently settled in Australia, OR that more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country. All children (biological, adopted, and step-children) are counted. Children who are deceased or who cannot be located are generally excluded from the count.
Health Examination
All applicants must undergo a medical examination arranged through an approved panel physician or an eMedical-accredited clinic. The exam typically includes a chest X-ray (for applicants over 11) and a general physical. Results are submitted electronically to the Department. The exam must generally be completed after the visa application is lodged, when requested.
Character Requirement
All applicants aged 16 or over must demonstrate they meet the character requirement under the Migration Act. This primarily means providing police clearance certificates from every country where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years (and from their country of citizenship if different). Convictions, pending charges, or associations with criminal groups can affect character assessment.
Police Clearance Certificate
A document from the police authority of a country certifying an individual's criminal (or clear) record. Required for the character assessment. Different countries have different issuing bodies and timeframes; Australian applicants obtain an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check.
The Application Process
Queue Date (also: Application Lodgement Date)
The date the Department of Home Affairs officially registers a valid visa application. Because parent visas are subject to annual quota limits, applications are placed in a queue and processed in lodgement date order. A queue date does not mean active processing has begun — it simply marks your place in line. Wait times between queue date and visa grant can be many years.
Invitation to Apply
Under some parent visa programs, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive a formal invitation before lodging a full application. For the subclass 143, applicants generally lodge a direct application rather than going through an EOI round; however, this can be subject to policy changes. Always check the current process on the Department's website.
Lodgement
The act of formally submitting the visa application to the Department of Home Affairs, along with paying the required VAC. For the subclass 143, this is done through the ImmiAccount portal online.
ImmiAccount
The Department of Home Affairs' online portal where visa applications are lodged, documents are uploaded, and application status can be checked. Both the applicant and their migration agent (if any) need an ImmiAccount.
Form 40CH (sponsorship form)
The form the sponsor completes and submits to nominate themselves as sponsor for a parent visa application. It collects details about the sponsor's citizenship/residency status, settlement in Australia, and their relationship to the applicant.
Fees and Financial Terms
VAC (Visa Application Charge)
The base fee paid to the Department of Home Affairs when lodging a visa application. For the subclass 143 (2024–25), the VAC for the primary applicant is approximately AUD 4,765, with additional charges for any secondary applicants included in the application. VAC amounts are indexed annually on 1 July. This fee is non-refundable once the application is lodged, regardless of outcome.
Contribution Charge
A large additional fee specific to Contributory Parent visas, collected in two instalments. It represents the applicant's "contribution" to the cost of the social services they are likely to use in Australia. The contribution charge is separate from, and on top of, the VAC.
- First Instalment: Paid at the time of visa grant for the subclass 143 (or at grant of the subclass 173 if using the two-stage pathway). As of 2024–25, approximately AUD 47,640 for the primary applicant, with a reduced amount for secondary applicants.
- Second Instalment: Paid when the subclass 143 visa is granted, if the applicant came through the 173 pathway. As of 2024–25, approximately AUD 43,600 for the primary applicant.
Note: These figures are indexed annually and can change on 1 July each year. Always verify current amounts on the Department of Home Affairs website before making financial plans.
Assurance of Support (AOS)
Assurance of Support (AOS)
A legal commitment lodged with the Department of Social Services (DSS) in which an assurer promises to repay the Australian Government for certain social security payments received by the visa holder during the AOS period. It is a mandatory requirement for the Contributory Parent visa. The AOS must be in place before the visa is granted.
AOS Period
The length of time the Assurance of Support obligation lasts. For the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143), the AOS period is 10 years from the date the visa is granted.
AOS Bond
A cash deposit lodged with the Department of Social Services as security for the AOS commitment. The bond is held for the duration of the AOS period and returned (with accrued interest, minus any deductions) at the end. As of 2024–25, the AOS bond for a Contributory Parent visa is approximately AUD 10,000 for a single assuree, or AUD 14,000 for two or more assurees.
DSS (Department of Social Services)
The Australian government department that administers the AOS scheme. The assurer deals with DSS (not the Department of Home Affairs) when lodging and managing the AOS.
Residency and Work Rights
NARWP (No-Access Residency Waiting Period)
A waiting period during which newly arrived permanent residents cannot access most Australian government welfare payments and concession cards. For Contributory Parent visa holders, the NARWP is 4 years from the date they first become an Australian permanent resident. During this period, the AOS is also in effect, providing a complementary layer of financial assurance for the government.
TUD (Time of Unlawful Departure)
Refers to time spent outside Australia unlawfully or in circumstances that may affect certain residency calculations or welfare entitlements. In the context of parent visa processing, TUD can sometimes affect queue assessments or calculations of periods of lawful residence.
Permanent Residence (PR)
The status granted upon visa approval, allowing the holder to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship (subject to residency requirements).
The Department
DOHA (Department of Home Affairs)
The Australian government department responsible for immigration, visas, border control, and citizenship. Also referred to informally as "the Department" or "Home Affairs". Previously known as DIBP (Department of Immigration and Border Protection) and DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship). The Department's immigration website is immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority)
The body that registers and regulates migration agents in Australia. If you use a migration agent, confirm they are a registered migration agent (RMA) by checking the MARA register at mara.com.au. Using an unregistered agent is illegal and risky.
Migration Agent (RMA)
A professional registered with MARA who is legally authorised to provide immigration advice and lodge visa applications on behalf of clients. Only an RMA or a practising Australian lawyer can legally charge for immigration advice in Australia.
Other Common Terms
FN (File Number)
The unique reference number assigned to a visa application by the Department of Home Affairs. Used in all correspondence with the Department. Sometimes called the "Transaction Reference Number" (TRN) when generated at the time of online lodgement.
BVA / BVB (Bridging Visa A / B)
If an applicant is already in Australia on a substantive visa and lodges a new visa application before that visa expires, they may be granted a Bridging Visa to remain in Australia lawfully while their new application is being processed. BVA allows the holder to stay in Australia; BVB also allows them to travel overseas and return.
EOI (Expression of Interest)
A preliminary registration of interest in applying for a visa. Not currently used for the subclass 143, but relevant for some other visa streams.
Reg 1.20J
A specific regulation under the Migration Regulations 1994 relating to the balance of family test for parent visas. You may see this cited in Department correspondence or migration agent advice.
Medicare
Australia's universal healthcare system. Permanent residents (including those on subclass 143) are eligible for Medicare coverage, which provides subsidised access to doctors, hospitals, and prescription medicines. Some waiting periods may apply for certain entitlements.
Centrelink
The Australian government agency that administers social security payments, including age pension, family payments, and other welfare benefits. Parent visa holders are generally not eligible for Centrelink payments during the NARWP and AOS period.