Australia’s prolonged waiting times for parent migration visas have raised concerns among many families. According to the latest data from the Department of Home Affairs, 1,536 parent visa applicants died while waiting for their applications to be processed between July 2024 and the end of March 2026, highlighting the severity of the backlog.
Currently, non-contributory parent visas, which cost around AUD 9,000 to apply for, have an estimated waiting time of about 33 years. Contributory parent visas, with application fees close to AUD 50,000, still require a wait of around 15 years. By the end of the 2024–25 financial year, the parent visa backlog had exceeded 157,000 applications, while the annual parent visa allocation was reduced from 8,500 to 7,060 places this year.
Many applicants say the lengthy delays not only prevent family reunification but also create significant pressure when caring for elderly parents. A Sydney-based doctor said his parents have already waited more than three years, and under the current processing pace, they may not receive approval until 2038, when his grandchildren would be nearly 15 years old. He said grandparents often play an important role in helping new migrant families care for children and establish their careers.
Meanwhile, the Australian government is considering tighter family migration rules, including restrictions on parents, spouses and children of Australian citizens or permanent residents entering on visitor visas and applying for visas while already in Australia, in an effort to prevent people from using bridging visas to remain in the country long-term.
Migration policy experts say Australia’s parent visa system is among the strictest in comparable countries. A previous government-commissioned review of the migration system also found that waiting periods of 30 to 50 years effectively leave many applicants with little realistic chance of success, suggesting the system requires reform.
Commentary:
For many migrant families, parents are not only relatives but also provide essential childcare and emotional support. If Australia aims to attract and retain skilled migrants while making family reunification extremely difficult, it may reduce the country’s appeal to overseas talent.
At the same time, the government must balance public resources, healthcare costs and population policy considerations, as parent migration places pressure on government services. However, when some visa categories require decades of waiting and applicants may never receive a decision, questions arise over whether the current system creates unrealistic expectations.
Regardless of whether the government chooses to increase quotas, adjust fees or tighten eligibility requirements, it should establish a clearer and more predictable system. A transparent and reasonable migration framework would better balance national interests with the importance of family reunification.