Additional requirements

There are some additional requirements that may apply depending on the visa you’re applying for. 

Non-contributory visas have far longer processing times than contributory visas.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection website lists the wait time for non-contributory parent and aged parent visas is approximately 10 – 30 years. There is also a chance that the government could potentially cancel all non contributory parent visas applications. (They did attempt to cancel parent visa applications in 2014, however this was never passed).

Contributory visa applicants can be expected to wait between 24 – 36 months for the visa to be processed. Upon grant of the visa application, the parent will become an Australian permanent resident.

Upon application for an onshore aged parent visa, the applicant would be granted a bridging visa allowing him to remain in Australia lawfully until the visa is granted. If the parent is from an RHCA country they may be able to enroll in Medicare, however I would always recommend that you check with Centrelink or Medicare about this. The application for a parents visa (for applicants under 65), there is no bridging visa granted. However parents may be eligible to obtain a long length sponsored visitor visa.

The other option is the contributory Aged Parent temporary visa. The benefit of this visa is that the second visa application charge is divided into two payments. This visa would grant you temporary residence in Australia for up to 2 years before you apply for the permanent contributory Aged Parent visa.

Applying for a visa in Australia from a tourist visa

Generally you can apply for both Parent (under 65 years old ) and Aged Parent Visa (over 65 years old) from inside or outside Australia. However, you are only granted a bridging visa if you have applied for an Aged Parent Visa (over 65 years old) contributory/non contributory from within Australia. If you apply for a Parent Visa (contributory or non contributory) from within Australia, you are not granted a bridging visa.

Application Provided that your parents come to Australia on a tourist visa, they may be able to apply for the contributory aged visa and aged parent visa from within Australia. If the applicant is under 65, they will apply for a parent visa, however on application of a parent visa, there is no bridging visa granted.