VisaChief Parent visa (subclass 103/143) — interview questions & preparation
Parent visas, whether the queued subclass 103 or contributory subclass 143, are generally decided on documents rather than a sit-down interview. The Department focuses on the balance-of-family test, your sponsor's eligibility, health and character, and the genuineness of your family relationships, and it may phone you or your sponsor to verify these. Because processing takes many years, officers often recheck your circumstances near the decision, so your answers must stay consistent with your original claims.
Common Parent visa interview questions
1. How many children do you have and where does each of them live?
How to answer: This is the core of the balance-of-family test, so be precise about every child's location and status, including step and adopted children.
2. Who is your sponsor and what is their relationship to you?
How to answer: Confirm your sponsoring child's identity, residency status and how they qualify to sponsor you, consistent with your forms.
3. Is your sponsor an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen?
How to answer: Sponsor eligibility is essential, so know their exact status and how long they have been settled in Australia.
4. Can you provide evidence of your relationship to your sponsoring child?
How to answer: Be ready to point to birth certificates and family records, since the parent-child relationship must be firmly documented.
5. Where do you currently live and what are your circumstances?
How to answer: Your current situation supports the balance-of-family calculation, so describe your household and dependants accurately.
6. Has your family situation changed since you lodged, such as new children or deaths?
How to answer: Long queues mean circumstances change; disclose any changes honestly because they can affect the balance-of-family result.
7. Who will support you financially and where will you live in Australia?
How to answer: An Assurance of Support is required, so know who is giving it and your intended living arrangements.
8. Have you completed your health examinations and character checks?
How to answer: Confirm your medicals and police certificates are current, as these are common hold-ups near decision time.
9. Do you understand the difference between the contributory and non-contributory streams?
How to answer: Know which stream you applied for and its cost and waiting time, so your expectations match the visa you chose.
10. Do any of your children live outside Australia, and where?
How to answer: For the balance-of-family test at least half your children (or more than in any other country) must be settled in Australia, so account for every child abroad.
11. Can your sponsor confirm the details of your application?
How to answer: The Department may call your sponsor separately, so ensure your child knows your history, dates and claims to keep answers consistent.
How to prepare
- List every child, including step, adopted and estranged, with their country of residence to prepare for the balance-of-family test.
- Keep documents proving each parent-child relationship and your sponsor's residency status ready.
- Tell the Department promptly about any change in your family circumstances during the long wait.
- Make sure your sponsor understands and can confirm the details of your application.
- Keep health examinations and police certificates valid, and renew them if requested near decision time.
- Know which stream you applied for and its costs, including any second instalment and Assurance of Support.
- Keep all answers consistent with your original application even years later.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an interview for a parent visa?
Usually not a formal one. Parent visas are largely decided on documents, though the Department may phone you or your sponsor to verify family details and the balance-of-family test.
What is the balance-of-family test?
It requires that at least half of your children, or more of them than in any single other country, are Australian citizens or permanent residents. It is the main threshold parent visa applicants must meet.
Will my sponsor be contacted separately?
They can be. The Department may verify sponsorship and relationship details directly with your sponsoring child, so it helps if they know your application details.
How can I check I meet the requirements before applying?
Because processing takes years, confirm eligibility first. VisaChief's free AI interview walks you through the balance-of-family and sponsorship questions in minutes.
See more visa interview guides, or browse all Australian visas and visa forms.