Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018N00066:body:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018N00066
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 2820–5710

under the proposed program. On 19 August 2002, the then Minister for Health and Ageing informed the Minister for Immigration of her support for the proposal and that temporary residents under this proposal could be made eligible for Medicare through a 6(1) order under the Health Insurance Act 1973.

Legislation commenced on 27 June 2003 for eligible parents to migrate to Australia. A total of 7,000 parent visa places were subsequently allocated in 2003-04, of which 5,500 places were for the new contributory parent visa category. The measures were designed to reduce queues for parent visas. The title of the new contributory parent visa category reflects the requirement of each applicant to pay a higher Visa Application Charge and Assurance of Support bond as a financial contribution towards their future health, welfare and other costs in Australia, including coverage under Medicare. These visas are currently being granted within 12 to 24 months of application.

All applicants must provide a $10,000 Assurance of Support bond (plus $4,000 for each dependent aged 18 or over) which is held for 10 years. The bond is refunded after 10 years minus any social security payments claimed. The Government has since responded to a growing demand for places in this category and the allocation for 2017-18 is 7,175, an increase of 500 places (or 7%) on 2013-14 planning levels. This compares to only 1,500 places for the Non-Contributory Parent visa category.

Offshore Contributory Parent (Permanent subclass 143, temporary subclass 173)

Parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who are outside Australia can apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) or a temporary Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173). As at 27 April 2017, there were two visa pathways for migration under the Offshore Contributory Parent stream – a one-stage Permanent Contributory Parent visa 143 or a two-stage temporary-to-permanent option – an initial grant of the temporary Contributory Parent visa 173 for two years and then the grant of the permanent Contributory Parent visa 143. Both pathways bear a significant cost. The total cost of the temporary-to-permanent pathway is slightly higher but enables the applicant to spread payments across two years, during which time they have work rights and access to Medicare.

Parents who are granted a permanent Contributory Parent (subclass 143) have full access to Medicare.

Onshore Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent subclass 864, temporary subclass 884)

Currently, only 'aged' parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen can apply for the onshore permanent Contributory Aged Parent 864 visa or temporary Contributory Aged Parent 884 visa if they are in Australia. As at 27 July 2017, there were two visa pathways for migration under the Contributory