Parent visa processing time and queue release dates, November 2026
New application: about 18 years for Contributory Parent visas and 42 years for Parent and Aged Parent visas, the Department's estimates. Queue release dates for all 6 subclasses below.
Parent visas, 6 subclasses
Years: the Department's estimate for a new application. Released to: queue dates released for final processing, as at 31 August 2026.
New parent visa applications: about 18 years contributory, 42 years non-contributory
Parent visa processing time, November 2026: the Department's estimates for a new application, and the queue dates it has released for final processing.
Official figures as at · Checked by us · Official parent visa page
Parent visa queue milestones, as at 31 August 2026
| Visa | Acknowledge new application | Queue assessment | Queue release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary to permanent (173 to 143, 884 to 864) | 4 weeks | N/A | May 2026 |
| 143 Contributory Parent | 4 weeks | Lodged Apr 2024 | Nov 20188.0 years behind today |
| 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) | 4 weeks | Lodged Apr 2024 | Nov 20188.0 years behind today |
| 864 Contributory Aged Parent | 4 weeks | Lodged Apr 2023 | Nov 20206.0 years behind today |
| 884 Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) | 4 weeks | Lodged Apr 2023 | Nov 20206.0 years behind today |
| 103 Parent | 4 weeks | Lodged Feb 2023 | Mar 201412.7 years behind today |
| 804 Aged Parent | 4 weeks | Lodged Jan 2023 | Oct 201412.1 years behind today |
Same rows as the official table. "Queue assessment" is the lodgement month reached in stage one; "queue release date" is the queue date released for final processing.
Estimate for a new application, 4 changes since June 2023
| Seen | Contributory | Parent, Aged Parent |
|---|---|---|
| recorded by us | 18 years | 42 years |
| web archive | 15 years | 33 years |
| web archive | 14 years | 31 years |
| web archive | 12 years | 29 years |
Processing time frame (estimate) as printed on the official page.
How fast are parent visa queues moving? 143 released to November 2018, 103 to March 2014
Queue dates released for final processing, from every copy of the official page we hold since July 2022. Before April 2025 the official table grouped the contributory visas in one column, and before September 2023 it gave one release date for 103 and 804.
| Seen | 143 released up to | 864 released up to | 103 released up to | 804 released up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| recorded by us | Nov 2018 | Nov 2020 | Mar 2014 | Oct 2014 |
| web archive | May 2018 | May 2018 | Jan 2013 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | Apr 2018 | May 2018 | Dec 2012 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | Feb 2018 | Feb 2018 | Dec 2012 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | Oct 2017 | Oct 2017 | Sep 2012 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | Oct 2017 | Oct 2017 | Aug 2012 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | Jun 2017 | Jun 2017 | May 2012 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | Jun 2017 | Jun 2017 | Apr 2012 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | Jun 2017 | Jun 2017 | Dec 2011 | Jan 2013 |
| web archive | May 2017 | May 2017 | Oct 2011 | Dec 2012 |
| web archive | May 2017 | May 2017 | Oct 2011 | Oct 2011 |
| web archive | Mar 2017 | Mar 2017 | Oct 2011 | Oct 2011 |
| web archive | Mar 2017 | Mar 2017 | Aug 2011 | Aug 2011 |
| web archive | Dec 2016 | Dec 2016 | Feb 2011 | Feb 2011 |
| web archive | Jul 2016 | Jul 2016 | Oct 2010 | Oct 2010 |
15 copies with a change, newest first.
How does the parent visa queue work? Capping, queue dates, release
Summarised from the official parent visa page.
- All Parent visa applications are capped and queued. Capping means a maximum number of visas can be granted each migration program year. Applications that miss out stay in the queue for a later year.
- Stage one is an initial assessment against core criteria, including health and character where applicable. Applications that meet them get a queue date, which the Department gives in writing. Those that do not are refused.
- For Contributory Parent applications lodged before 1 June 2018 the queue date is the lodgement date. For all others it is the date the application was assessed as meeting the core criteria.
- Stage two: the Department releases queued applications for final processing in queue date order through the year, until that year's places are used.
- The Department says it will not respond to individual status enquiries, and that it contacts applicants in writing when it releases a queued application.
What do the parent visa queue figures leave out? 4 things
- How many applications hold each queue date. Without that, a gap in months cannot be turned into a waiting time.
- When an individual application will be released. Nobody outside the Department can see individual cases.
- The estimate for a new application is updated about once a year, at the start of each program year.
- Dates before 13 Nov 2026 are when a web archive saved the official page, not the Department's own update date.
9 questions about parent visa processing times, answered from November 2026 figures
How long is the parent visa processing time in 2026?
For a new application the Department of Home Affairs estimates about 18 years for Contributory Parent visas (143, 173, 864, 884) and about 42 years for Parent and Aged Parent visas (103, 804).
What is the parent visa queue release date?
143 Contributory Parent: November 2018; 864 Contributory Aged Parent: November 2020; 103 Parent: March 2014; 804 Aged Parent: October 2014. These are the queue dates released for final processing, as at 31 August 2026.
How long does the contributory parent visa take?
About 18 years for a new application, by the Department's estimate, up from 12 years in June 2023. The 143 queue is released up to November 2018, the 864 queue up to November 2020.
How long does the non-contributory parent visa take?
About 42 years for a new Parent (103) or Aged Parent (804) application, by the Department's estimate, up from 29 years in June 2023. The 103 queue is released up to March 2014, the 804 queue up to October 2014.
Why has the parent visa waiting time gone up?
The Department estimates time frames from the current number of places available per year. It lists what can change processing times: planning levels, the number of applications lodged, withdrawals and refusals, tribunal outcomes, ministerial intervention and processing directions. It does not say which of these moved its estimate.
What is a parent visa queue date?
The date an application is placed in the queue after passing the initial assessment. For Contributory Parent applications lodged before 1 June 2018 it is the lodgement date. The Department gives it in writing.
Can I ask Home Affairs where my parent visa is in the queue?
The Department says it will not respond to individual status enquiries. It contacts applicants in writing when it releases a queued application for final processing.
Is the parent visa in the global visa processing times tool?
No. Parent visas are capped and queued, so the Department publishes queue release dates and an estimate for new applications instead of processing time percentiles.
Is this a government website?
No. Visa Processing Time is independent and is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs.