Visas and documents
Parents visiting Australia: a general guide for families
, 5 min read
Having parents come to stay is one of the most common reasons families in Sydney contact us. This guide gives a general overview of what to think about. It’s general information, not advice about anyone’s visa application.
General guidance only, not migration advice
We are not registered migration agents and can’t advise on, prepare or lodge Australian visa applications. Check current details with the Department of Home Affairs, and for advice use a registered migration agent from the OMARA register.
Visa types worth reading about
Most parents visiting for a holiday come on a visitor visa. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) has several streams, including Tourist and Sponsored Family. There are also separate parent visas for parents who want to live in Australia permanently.
Each has its own requirements, costs and processing times, and these change. Read the official information on the Department of Home Affairs website, and see our Australia visa guide for a plain-English overview.
We are not registered migration agents, so we can’t advise on which visa suits your parents or help prepare or lodge the application. For advice, use a registered migration agent from the OMARA register.
Health cover
Visitors from countries without a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia generally aren’t covered by Medicare. Many families arrange visitor health insurance for the length of the stay. Check any conditions attached to the visa that’s granted.
Booking the flights
Once a visa is granted, we can book the flights. For older travellers we usually:
- Choose routes with fewer connections and comfortable layover times
- Request wheelchair or mobility assistance at each airport
- Note meal requirements, such as vegetarian or diabetic meals
- Book one-way or flexible return tickets for longer stays
Before they travel
Make sure passports are valid for the whole stay, print the visa grant notice, and pack medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Start a flight request, and add the airport your parents are flying from in the From field.
Planning a trip?
Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we’ll come back with options.
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