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Many migrants in Australia dream of reuniting with both parents. But what happens if only one parent qualifies for a best parent visa australia, while the other doesn’t meet the requirements? Whether it's due to the balance of family test, health issues, or visa eligibility restrictions, this is a common challenge — but there are options.
In this article, we explore how to bring both parents to Australia when only one qualifies for a parent visa and how you can keep your family together.
To be eligible for a permanent parent visa (like Subclass 103 or 143), parents must meet certain criteria, including:
The Balance of Family Test – at least half of the parent's children must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Health and character checks
Financial and sponsorship requirements
Sometimes, only one parent meets these conditions — for example, if the other parent has more children overseas or has a health condition that may lead to a visa refusal.
If one parent qualifies, you can apply for a parent visa (such as the Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143) for them first. Once they are granted the visa and become a permanent resident, they can then sponsor their spouse or partner for a partner visa under the family stream.
Steps:
Lodge a parent visa application for the eligible parent.
Once granted, they become a permanent resident.
They can sponsor their spouse (the other parent) for a Partner Visa (Subclasses 820/801 or 309/100), depending on where the application is lodged.
This route can take time, especially with the wait involved in the parent visa process, but it provides a pathway for both parents to eventually gain permanent residency.
While waiting for the eligible parent’s visa to be processed or granted, the other parent may apply for a long-stay Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) to stay in Australia temporarily.
The Sponsored Family stream of the Visitor Visa allows longer stays and may be suitable for the non-qualifying parent.
Important Notes:
Visitor visas do not allow permanent residency.
The parent must maintain private health insurance.
The Department of Home Affairs may limit stay durations and impose no further stay conditions.
This is not a long-term solution but can help parents stay together during visa processing.
If your parents don’t qualify for a permanent parent visa, another option is the 870 Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa, which allows stays of 3 or 5 years, with a maximum of 10 years total in Australia.
This visa does not require the Balance of Family Test, so it may suit a parent who doesn’t meet that requirement.
Key Requirements:
The sponsor (you) must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
The parent must be outside Australia at the time of application and grant.
They must have private health insurance and be sponsored financially.
This visa doesn’t offer permanent residency, but it allows both parents to spend meaningful time in Australia together.
In some cases, you can split the applications:
Apply for a parent visa for the eligible parent onshore (like Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa) — they may get a bridging visa to stay during processing.
The other parent may remain overseas or visit temporarily on a visitor visa until further visa options become available.
While only one parent may qualify for a parent visa initially, there are creative legal pathways to bring both parents to Australia over time. Combining parent visas, partner visas, and visitor or temporary parent visas can help reunite families and keep parents close to their children and grandchildren.
Always seek advice from a registered migration agent to understand your family’s best options and ensure you follow all visa conditions and requirements. With the right strategy, you can build a plan that brings both parents to Australia — even if only one qualifies at the start.
