Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. This is permanent residence.

Visa typePermanent

LodgementOnshore or offshore

StayPermanent

Work rightsUnlimited

Study rightsYes

Government chargeTwo instalments; second instalment ~$48,640 per applicant

Processing timeSeveral years (faster than non-contributory)

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 143 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Balance-of-family test first
Count the sponsor's siblings: at least half the parent's children must live permanently in Australia (or more in Australia than any other single country). Fail this and no parent visa is possible - test it before taking a retainer.
Sponsorship and lodgement
The settled child sponsors; lodge and join the queue. Set honest expectations - even the contributory stream runs years.
Queue management
Keep contact details current and health stable; the Department will call the file up for final processing when the queue reaches it.
Assurance of Support and second instalment
At final stage: AoS bond lodged through Services Australia and the large second instalment (~$48,640 per applicant). Clients must plan finances years ahead for this.
Decision and briefing
PR on grant; brief on Medicare enrolment and the RRV travel facility.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 143 is viable.

Pass the balance-of-family testAn eligible sponsor (your settled child)An Assurance of Support (a refundable bond)Health and character requirements

Your ticks save in this browser so you can work through the manual across sessions.

4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentBalance-of-family evidence: citizenship/residence status of every child of the parentSponsor's status documents and relationship evidenceAssurance of Support arrangements (at the final stage)Funds plan for the second instalment (~$48,640 per applicant)

Your ticks save in this browser so you can work through the manual across sessions.

5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	Two instalments; second instalment ~$48,640 per applicant
Health examinations (per person)	~$300-500
Police certificates	~$42-150 each
Relationship registration (where used)	State fees vary
Assurance of Support bond (refundable after 10 years for permanent parent visas)	$10,000 primary applicant (indicative)
Second instalment before grant	~$48,640 per applicant
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

Your ticks save in this browser so you can work through the manual across sessions.

7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 143 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Amir from the Philippines

Background: Amir, a hospitality manager from the Philippines. Parents of a settled Australian citizen or PR child, paying the contributory charge for faster processing.
Why it qualified: (1) Pass the balance-of-family test. (2) An eligible sponsor (your settled child). (3) An Assurance of Support (a refundable bond).
What made the file strong: Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (faster than non-contributory)).

Grant: Ngoc from Turkey

Background: Ngoc, a retired shopkeeper from Turkey. Parents of a settled Australian citizen or PR child, paying the contributory charge for faster processing.
Why it qualified: (1) Pass the balance-of-family test. (2) An eligible sponsor (your settled child). (3) An Assurance of Support (a refundable bond).
What made the file strong: The file opened with a short submission mapping each criterion to its evidence, so the case officer never had to hunt.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (faster than non-contributory)).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Omar from Nepal

Background: Omar, a marketing coordinator from Nepal, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 143.
What went wrong: Failing the balance-of-family test
Outcome: The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent: Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.

Refusal: Priya from Thailand

Background: Priya, a small-business owner from Thailand, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 143.
What went wrong: Underestimating the very large second instalment
Outcome: The Department refused; the client lost the application charge, months of lead time, and in this subclass a refusal also complicates any onshore follow-up.
Lesson for the agent: Put this issue on the document checklist on day one and refuse to lodge until it is closed out.

9. Self-exam

10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

Back to all manuals