If you already hold a visa you can check your visa status and conditions using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
Below are a number of common questions and answers.
If you don’t find the answer to your question listed below, you can make an enquiry to the Parent visa processing centre using this online form by selecting next at the bottom of the page.
You can also use this form to submit documents to the Parent visa processing centre.
If the answer to your enquiry is included in the commonly asked questions or the information on our website, don’t use this form. You will not receive a response.
We don’t respond to individual status enquiries for cases that are in the queue.
After you or someone else has submitted your paper application, and you have received your acknowledgement letter, import it into your ImmiAccount.
Follow these steps:
You can Apply and Manage your application in ImmiAccount.
You can use our online services in ImmiAccount to:
If you applied for a Parent (subclass 103) visa before November 2018, this functionality will not be applicable to your application.
There is no service standard for processing Parent visa applications.
The demand for Parent visas is greater than the number of places available each year. As a result, processing times for these applications are lengthy.
Applications for Parent visas are subject to capping and queueing and are processed in the order we receive them.
We process Parent visa applications in two stages:
We assess applications on a case-by-case basis. The processing times may vary because of individual circumstances.
For more information see Parent visa queue release dates.
You must submit a complete application to avoid delays in processing. We have checklists for documents in all application forms. You can find more details of the documents required for each Parent visa at Visa list.
The Minister has the power to 'cap' or limit the number of visas which we can grant each year in each visa subclass. For more information see Capping and queueing.
For the current queue release dates for final processing, refer to Parent visa queue release dates.
We don’t provide pre-lodgement advice. To find information about eligibility or how to apply for a visa on our website, visit explore visa options.
You can also consider the available family visa options.
If you need help understanding our requirements, you may consider using a registered migration agent or legal practitioner. They can provide immigration advice and assistance.
You can't lodge a Parent visa application if you are in Australia and have an 8503 condition on your current visa.
For information on applying for a waiver of the 8503 condition check No further stay waiver.
If you have applied for or you hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary)(Subclass 870) visa you are not able to lodge a valid Parent visa application.
The Parent Visa Centre does not process or answer queries about applications for Sponsored Parent (Temporary)(Subclass 870) visa.
You must pay your 1st visa application charge (VAC1) before you submit your application.
See more about visa fees and charges.
Make your payment electronically through the ‘My Payments’ section of ImmiAccount. You can do so by selecting My Payments>Manage Payments>Pre-Pay Paper Service.
You will be requested to pay the 2nd visa application charge (VAC2) when your application is ready for grant of a visa.
A Parent visa pathway for eligible Retirement (Subclass 410) and Investor Retirement (Subclass 405) visa holders is available for retirees applying for a Parent (Subclass 103) or Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) visa.
To be eligible for the Pathway to Permanent Residence for Retirees, the main applicant (a ‘retiree’) and partner (if applicable) must:
For more information visit Pathway to Permanent Residence for Retirees.
We receive a large number of applications every week.
We will notify you in writing after we have assessed the validity of your application. We will send the notification to you or your authorised recipient. We will send the notification by email or the preferred method of communication indicated in your application.
Check your junk email folder for letters from the Department.
If you used registered mail or a courier, you can check the tracking number to see if we have received your application.
If more than 3 weeks have passed since we received your application, we can investigate. Include the following information below:
You should contact us if the following circumstances apply to you:
To contact us, see Status Resolution Service.
They may grant a Bridging visa E on the basis of an intended application. This will not prevent the grant of an associated Bridging visa A if you meet the eligibility requirements, including that you held a substantive visa at the time we received your application.
If you have imported your application into ImmiAccount, you can upload supporting documents there. Or, you can upload supporting documents through the online form below.
Ensure scans are in colour, readable and of high quality. If a document has more than one page, save them all as one file before you upload it.
We can't accept links to web PDF files such as Google Drive and One Drive.
Don't upload the same documents already included in your application. This will cause processing delays.
If you don't send us information in the timeframe we have given you, we can decide the application with the information we have at that time. We may not ask you for the information again.
We understand that there can be delays getting information from other organisations, such as government issued documents, biometrics and health examinations.
If you need to get the information from another organisation, you must:
When you get the information, provide it as soon as you can.
If you can't give us the information on time, contact us using this form before the time period ends.
To change or ‘switch’ Parent visa subclass you need to:
The fee for any previous application is not refundable or transferable.
To learn more visit Visa Application Charge.
You don’t need to provide copies of the supporting documents you gave us with the previous application unless the information contained in those documents has changed or expired.
The new application does not need to include all the applicants from the original application. One or more applicants can remain on the original application.
Switching refers specifically to changing your application from a Non-Contributory Parent visa (subclass 103 or 804) to a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143, 173, 864, or 884) prior to a decision being made on your application.
When you ‘switch’ applications, you can keep your original application lodgement and queue dates as the new application lodgement and queue dates.
Switching does not apply to the following circumstances:
All other new applications will receive a new lodgement date and queue date.
If you need assistance, contact Services Australia. We don’t have information about accessing Medicare.
We will not respond to individual status enquiries. This is due to the volume of applications we process.
After we have queued your application, we will not contact you again until we release the application from the queue.
For an indication of Parent visa processing times visit Parent visa queue release dates.
Once released from the queue, we will consider applications for final processing. This will occur as a place in the Migration Program becomes available. We will need more information and contact you with details.
Please note that we assess applications on a case-by-case basis. Actual processing times may vary due to individual circumstances.
The Department will contact you when we need more information regarding the continued processing of your visa applications.
We will send you a request to do character and visa medical examination (with the HAP ID). This will be when the Department reviews your application.
For information about the Assurance of Support (AoS), visit Services Australia.
We are aware of Services Australia's processing times. We will make allowances for this. Don’t ask them to send evidence to the Department that you have lodged your AoS, unless requested by your case officer. These requests affect the ability of Services Australia to process the large number of AoS applications they receive.
We generally process Parent visa applications in the order we receive them. We release queued Parent visa applications in queue date order for final processing. We do not prioritise applications, except in cases with exceptional circumstances. This acknowledges that many Parent visa applications involve compassionate circumstances and ensures that clients in similar circumstances are not disadvantaged.
Refer to our website to understand the current Family visa processing priorities.
The Government introduced a number of concessions for visa holders and applicants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular international travel restrictions.
The COVID-19 concessions for certain Parent visa applicants only applied during the COVID-19 concession period, from 1 February 2020 to 25 November 2023.
Parent and Contributory Parent visa applicants who were granted Bridging Visas under COVID-19 concessions will continue to hold those Bridging visas until the Bridging Visa ceases to be in effect because a certain event has occurred (for example, you are granted a substantive visa).
Holders of Bridging Visas granted under COVID-19 concessions will no longer be able to apply for a Bridging Visa B after 25 November 2023.
Only applicants for Aged Parent visas (subclass 804, 864, 884) are eligible for Bridging visas to remain in Australia while their application is considered. For more information, visit Bridging visa A (BVA).
If you lodged your application in Australia and you want to travel before we make a decision on your application, you need a visa that lets you return. If you are not sure what visa you are currently holding, then you can check with VEVO.
If you are holding a Bridging visa, make sure it allows you to leave and return to Australia. For more information see Travel on a bridging visa.
Information on how to apply is available on Bridging visa B (BVB).
If you are in Australia on a bridging visa, you might be able to work. This depends on the visa conditions that apply to your Bridging Visa.
For more information regarding working on a bridging visa, see the Working on a bridging visa section of Changing visas. This will help you understand the visa conditions and the requirements for work condition.
To change the visa conditions on your bridging visa, you need to complete Form 1005.
Mail your completed Form 1005 to the address below:
Parent Visa Centre Department of Home Affairs Locked Bag 7 Northbridge WA 6865
You may apply for any visa you think you are eligible for using Visa Finder. We cannot guarantee that we will grant your visa application. You may not be able to return to Australia to await finalisation of your onshore visa application.
You need to tell us about changes in your:
Changes to your situation may affect your visa application. See what to do if your situation changes.
To nominate someone to:
For more information visit help you with immigration assistance.
To withdraw an application, you should complete Form 1446 - Withdrawal of a visa application and then upload it below.
Everyone in the application who is 18 years or older must sign the form if they want to withdraw their visa application.
Before you travel, submit the travel facilitation letter request form.
For more information visit Getting a refund.
Once we have made a decision on an application, the department can’t review or change it. Refer to the decision letter for an explanation about the decision. All unsuccessful applicants will receive information about review rights.
You can provide the department your feedback by going to compliments, complaints or suggestions.
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