Training manual · Australia · Family & Partner

Parent visa (non-contributory) (subclass 103)

Parents seeking PR at a far lower cost than the contributory stream - but with extremely long queues.

PermanentFamily & PartnerOnshore or offshore

Overview Process flow Eligibility checklist Document checklist Cost checklist Qualification checklist Eligible cases Refusal cases Self-exam

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. Permanent residence - but the queue is the defining issue; many applicants consider the contributory stream instead.

Visa typePermanent

LodgementOnshore or offshore

StayPermanent

Work rightsUnlimited

Study rightsYes

Government chargeLower upfront (second instalment ~$3,115)

Processing timeVery long - commonly many years to decades in the queue

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 103 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.
This stream's twist
Non-contributory: far cheaper, but the queue runs decades. Advise honestly - many clients should weigh the contributory stream or the 870 long-stay instead.
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 103 is viable.

Pass the balance-of-family testAn eligible sponsorAssurance of SupportHealth and character requirements

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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)

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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)	Lower upfront (second instalment ~$3,115)
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)
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

7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 103 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Rahul from Nepal

Background: Rahul, a small-business owner from Nepal. Parents seeking PR at a far lower cost than the contributory stream - but with extremely long queues.
Why it qualified: (1) Pass the balance-of-family test. (2) An eligible sponsor. (3) Assurance of Support.
What made the file strong: Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Very long - commonly many years to decades in the queue).

Grant: Isabella from Thailand

Background: Isabella, a primary teacher from Thailand. Parents seeking PR at a far lower cost than the contributory stream - but with extremely long queues.
Why it qualified: (1) Pass the balance-of-family test. (2) An eligible sponsor. (3) Assurance of Support.
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 (Very long - commonly many years to decades in the queue).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

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

Refusal: Wei from the Philippines

Background: Wei, a hospitality manager from the Philippines, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 103.
What went wrong: The processing queue can run for decades - plan around it
Outcome: The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent: Put this issue on the document checklist on day one and refuse to lodge until it is closed out.

Refusal: Elif from Turkey

Background: Elif, a retired shopkeeper from Turkey, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 103.
What went wrong: Balance-of-family test failures
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: Apply the decision-ready test: if you cannot evidence the claim today, the application is not ready to lodge.

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.

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