The main visa for parents visiting Australia is the visitor visa (subclass 600). Understanding the visa for parents visiting Australia can help you prepare the necessary documents, estimate the costs, and submit a complete application.
For a visit visa the applicants must demonstrate that their visit is temporary, meet the relevant visa requirements, and provide evidence of their financial circumstances and travel plans.
Table Of Content
1What Visa Do Parents Need to Visit Australia?2Australia Visitor Visa Requirements for Parents3Documents Required for Parents Visiting Australia4How to Apply for an Australia Visitor Visa for Parents5How Much Does an Australia Visitor Visa Cost for Parents?6How Much Bank Balance Is Required for Parents Visiting Australia?7How Long Can Parents Stay in Australia on a Visitor Visa?8Can You Sponsor Your Parents to Visit Australia?9Australia Visitor Visa Processing Time for Parents10FAQs
What Visa Do Parents Need to Visit Australia?
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is one of the most common options for parents who want to visit their children in Australia for a holiday or family visit.
The appropriate visa depends on the purpose of travel, the intended length of stay and the applicant’s circumstances.
Choosing a Stream
Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream
This is the most common option for parents applying from outside Australia. No sponsor is needed, and it can be used to visit family.
The Visitor visa allows eligible applicants to visit Australia temporarily for tourism or to see family and friends. Depending on the visa granted, parents may be permitted to stay for a specified period, such as three, six or twelve months. The visa’s actual validity, permitted stay and entry conditions depend on the individual grant.
Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored Family stream
Parents visiting a child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident may be eligible to apply through the Sponsored Family stream. The sponsor may need to provide supporting documents and, if requested by the Department of Home Affairs, a security bond. Sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval.
Other Visa Options for Parents
Parents who want to stay for a long period should consider other options rather than a standard visitor visa. One example is the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), which allows an extended stay of several years but has its own sponsorship requirements, costs and application limits. For permanent options, there are separate Parent visa categories.
For most short family visits, however, the standard Visitor visa is an appropriate starting point.
Australia Visitor Visa Requirements for Parents
To obtain an Australia visitor visa for parents, applicants must satisfy the requirements applicable to their chosen visa stream.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses each application individually. Meeting the basic requirements does not automatically guarantee approval.
The main requirements generally include:
Genuine temporary visit: Parents must demonstrate that they intend to visit Australia temporarily for an allowed purpose.
Valid passport: Each applicant must hold a valid passport and provide accurate personal information.
Financial capacity: Applicants must demonstrate that they can afford their trip or have adequate financial support from an eligible person.
Purpose of travel: Parents should explain why they are visiting, where they will stay and how long they intend to remain in Australia.
Reasons to return home: Evidence of family responsibilities, employment, property, financial commitments or other relevant circumstances may help establish the applicant’s circumstances and intentions.
Health and character requirements: Applicants must meet the applicable health and character requirements.
Compliance with visa conditions: Parents must intend to comply with the conditions of their visa, including any restrictions on work.
For applicants from India, providing consistent information about the visit, financial arrangements and personal circumstances can help the department assess the application.
Documents Required for Parents Visiting Australia
Preparing the correct documents is an important part of the application process. The documents required for parents visiting Australia may vary depending on their circumstances and the visa stream.
Documents from the parents
Parents applying for a Visitor visa may need to provide:
- A valid passport and identity details
- Completed visa application information
- Recent passport-style photographs, if requested
- Evidence of financial capacity, such as bank statements, pension statements or income records
- Travel plans and a proposed itinerary
- Details of accommodation in Australia
- Evidence of employment, retirement, property or family ties in India, where relevant
- Previous travel history, if applicable
- Supporting documents explaining the purpose of the visit
- Health or character documents, if requested
Documents from the child or host in Australia
If the parents are visiting their son or daughter, the host may provide:
- A letter of invitation explaining the purpose and duration of the visit
- Proof of the relationship, such as relevant birth certificates
- A copy of the host’s passport and evidence of their Australian visa or citizenship status
- Proof of Australian residential address
- Employment or income documents, if providing financial support
- Evidence of accommodation arrangements
- Sponsorship documents, if applying through the Sponsored Family stream
Important: An invitation letter or financial undertaking from a child does not automatically establish eligibility. Parents should provide evidence relevant to their own circumstances, even when their child is paying for the trip.
Documents that are not in English may need to be translated into English in accordance with the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements.
How to Apply for an Australia Visitor Visa for Parents
Parents can generally apply online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount system. The application should be completed accurately, with supporting documents uploaded as required.
Follow these steps to apply for an Australia visitor visa for parents from India.
Step 1: Choose the appropriate visa
Determine whether the Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream or Sponsored Family stream is appropriate for the proposed visit.
Consider the applicant’s relationship with the Australian host, the purpose of travel and the intended duration of stay.
Step 2: Create or access an ImmiAccount
Use the official Australian immigration website to access ImmiAccount and start the relevant visa application.
Each parent travelling should have the required application completed for their circumstances.
Step 3: Complete the application form
Enter accurate details about the applicant’s identity, travel history, finances, family circumstances and intended visit.
Ensure that the information matches the supporting documents.
Step 4: Upload the supporting documents
Attach the required passport details, financial evidence, invitation letter and other relevant supporting documents.
Additional information may be requested during assessment.
Step 5: Pay the visa application fee
Pay the applicable fee through the official application system. The amount depends on the visa category and applicable fee schedule.
Step 6: Complete biometrics or health checks, if required
Applicants may be asked to provide biometrics or undergo health examinations, depending on their circumstances and the department’s instructions.
Follow any instructions received after submitting the application.
Step 7: Track the application
Check ImmiAccount and the applicant’s registered email for updates, requests for additional documents and the final decision.
Avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements until the visa is granted.
How Much Does an Australia Visitor Visa Cost for Parents?
The Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600) application fee for parents applying from outside Australia is AUD 250 per applicant, according to the Department of Home Affairs’ published visa information. The Tourist stream and Sponsored Family stream currently list this charge, subject to applicable concessions and fee changes.
Australia visitor visa fees for parents
| Visa application | Base application charge |
|---|---|
| Tourist stream — applying from outside Australia | AUD 250 per applicant |
| Sponsored Family stream | AUD 250 per applicant |
| Tourist stream — applying from inside Australia | AUD 630 per applicant |
| Two parents applying from outside Australia | AUD 500 combined |
These are base application charges. Confirm the applicable fee through the official Australian Visa Pricing Estimator before submitting an application. The amount payable depends on the applicable fee schedule and the date the application is received.
Parents applying separately may need to pay an individual application charge for each applicant.
How Much Bank Balance Is Required for Parents Visiting Australia?
There is no officially prescribed minimum bank balance for an Australia Visitor visa (subclass 600) that applies to every applicant. Parents must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their intended visit or have reliable financial support from another person.
The financial evidence required for an Australia visitor visa for parents depends on the length of the stay, accommodation arrangements, travel expenses and the applicants’ personal circumstances.
What expenses should parents be able to cover?
Parents should demonstrate that adequate funds are available for the planned trip, including:
- Return flight tickets
- Accommodation expenses, if they are not staying with family
- Food, local transport and daily living expenses
- Travel insurance and other relevant travel costs
- Additional funds for unexpected expenses
A longer visit generally involves higher overall expenses. Therefore, the financial evidence should be consistent with the proposed itinerary and duration of stay.
Is AUD 5,000 enough for an Australia visitor visa?
Some migration advisers suggest AUD 5,000–10,000 as a general budgeting guideline for certain short visits. However, this is not an official minimum bank balance set by the Australian government and does not guarantee visa approval.
The appropriate amount depends on the individual circumstances. Parents staying with their children may have lower accommodation costs than those paying for hotels. Applicants planning longer visits may need to demonstrate access to substantially more funds.
What financial documents can parents provide?
Parents applying for an Australia visitor visa from India may provide the following documents, depending on their circumstances:
Bank statements: Recent statements showing genuine savings, regular income and available funds.
Income evidence: Salary slips, pension statements or other income records, where applicable.
Savings and investments: Fixed deposit certificates and other evidence of accessible financial resources.
Tax and asset documents: Relevant income tax returns or property records, where available.
Financial support from family: If their child in Australia will cover their expenses, the child can provide a support letter, bank statements, payslips and evidence of their immigration status.
The department may consider the source, accessibility and consistency of the funds. Any substantial recent deposits should be explainable and supported by appropriate evidence.
Can your child in Australia pay for the visit?
Yes. A child in Australia may provide financial support for their parents’ visit, including accommodation and daily expenses. The child can explain the arrangements in an invitation or financial support letter and provide relevant evidence of their ability to meet those costs.
However, financial support from a child does not automatically establish that the parents meet all visitor visa requirements. Parents should provide the relevant evidence of their own circumstances wherever possible.
How Long Can Parents Stay in Australia on a Visitor Visa?
The length of stay permitted under an Australia visitor visa for parents depends on the visa granted by the Department of Home Affairs. Parents may be granted permission to stay for three, six or twelve months, depending on their circumstances and the conditions attached to the visa.
It is important to understand the difference between the permitted stay period and the visa validity period.
Permitted stay period: How long your parents can remain in Australia during a visit.
Visa validity period: The period during which your parents can use the visa to travel to Australia, subject to its entry conditions.
For example, a visa may allow multiple entries over a longer validity period while limiting each visit to three months.
Can You Sponsor Your Parents to Visit Australia?
Yes, in certain circumstances, you may be able to sponsor your parents for a visit to Australia. However, the sponsorship requirements depend on the visa stream.
Sponsoring parents through the Sponsored Family stream
Eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents may be able to sponsor family members, including parents, under the Sponsored Family stream of the Visitor visa (subclass 600).
The sponsor must meet the applicable eligibility requirements and provide the required supporting documents. The Department of Home Affairs may request a security bond.
A sponsor may need to demonstrate their identity, immigration status, relationship with the applicant and ability to meet the relevant sponsorship obligations.
What if your parents want to stay longer?
If your parents wish to visit for an extended period, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) may be worth exploring. It has separate sponsorship, application and eligibility requirements and is not the same as a standard Visitor visa.
Choose the visa based on your parents’ circumstances and intended length of stay rather than assuming that every Australian resident can sponsor their parents under every visa category.
Australia Visitor Visa Processing Time for Parents
The Australia visitor visa processing time for parents depends on the visa stream, the completeness of the application and the individual circumstances of the applicants.
The Department of Home Affairs publishes global processing-time estimates for Visitor visa (subclass 600) applications. According to figures reported by the official Visa processing times guide as of 13 October 2026, the indicative processing times were:
| Visa stream | 50% of applications decided within | 90% of applications decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist stream | 21 days | 33 days |
| Sponsored Family stream | 40 days | 3 months |
These figures are indicative rather than guaranteed timelines. The 50% figure means half of the applications in the relevant group were decided within that period, while the 90% figure indicates that nine in ten were decided within the longer period.
Based on these reported figures, parents applying through the Tourist stream may receive a decision within approximately three to five weeks, while Sponsored Family stream applications may take longer.
How can parents avoid unnecessary delays?
The visa for parents visiting australia applying from India can take the following steps:
1. Complete the application carefully and accurately.
2. Upload clear copies of all required documents.
3. Provide consistent financial and personal information.
4. Explain the purpose and intended duration of the visit.
5. Respond promptly to requests from the Department of Home Affairs.
6. Monitor ImmiAccount and registered email for updates.
There is no guaranteed processing time for every applicant. Check the official Australian immigration processing-time guide for the latest indicative estimates, and avoid booking non-refundable flights before receiving a visa decision.
