Australian Immigration Daily News

From 22 April 2026, the Migration (Arrangements for Parent Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 introduces changes to the way Parent visa applications are lodged in Australia.

The key development is the expansion of online lodgement options for several Parent visa subclasses. Applications for the following visas can now be made online (or, in limited circumstances, by paper):

• Parent (Migrant) (Class AX)
• Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP)
• Contributory Parent (Migrant) (Class CA)
• Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) (Class DG)

This reflects a broader administrative shift toward digital processing, aimed at improving efficiency, reducing reliance on postal or courier services, and streamlining application pathways.

However, not all Parent visa subclasses are included in this change. Applications for the following visas must still be lodged in paper form:

• Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Class UT)
• Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (Class UU)

Importantly, transitional provisions apply. Where an application was posted or couriered prior to 22 April 2026 but received after commencement, the previous instrument continues to apply. Timing of lodgement therefore remains a critical consideration.

While these amendments do not alter substantive visa criteria, they represent a practical improvement in how applications are made and processed. They also highlight the ongoing transition toward a more fully digitised migration system, albeit one that remains partially reliant on paper-based processes.

Source: Migration-Arrangements-for-Parent-Visa-Application-Instrument-2026.pdf and

Migration-Arrangements-for-Parent-Visa-Applications-Instrument-2026 EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM.pdf