Ministerial Direction 117 Explained: Family Visa Processing Priorities and Parent Visa Waiting Times

Family migration is one of the most emotional parts of the Australian visa system. For many applicants, the goal is simple: to live closer to a spouse, child, parent or family member in Australia. But the processing of family visas is not always simple, especially when long queues, limited visa places and government processing priorities are involved. 

This is where Ministerial Direction 117 becomes important. 

Ministerial Direction 117 sets out the order in which certain family visa applications are considered and processed. It replaced Ministerial Direction 102 on 25 July 2026 and now guides decision makers on family visa processing priorities. The Direction gives the highest priority to family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia for a visa that can be granted while the applicant is in Australia. Lower priority is given to applications where the primary applicant is outside Australia at the time of application or must be outside Australia at the time of grant. 

For parents, the waiting time remains long. Home Affairs currently estimates 15 years for new Contributory Parent visa applications and 33 years for new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications. These are estimates, not fixed guarantees, and they can change depending on planning levels, application volumes, withdrawals, refusals, ART outcomes, ministerial intervention cases and processing directions. 

Aussizz Group has helped 200,000+ applicants to their Australian Dreams, and for family visa applicants, the key message is this: understand the priority order before building your family migration plan. 

Ministerial Direction 117 is About Processing Order, Not Automatic Approval

Ministerial Direction 117 does not create a new visa and does not guarantee that a family visa will be granted. It sets the processing priority for family visa applications that fall under the Direction. 

Applicants must still meet the legal requirements for their visa. A Partner visa still needs genuine relationship evidence. A Child visa still needs proper family and dependency documents. A Parent visa still needs to meet the relevant criteria, including sponsorship and balance of family requirements where applicable. 

This distinction matters because many applicants confuse “priority processing” with “visa grant.” A higher-priority family visa can still take time if documents are incomplete, checks are pending or further information is required. 

Onshore Family Visa Applications Now Receive Higher Priority in Some Cases

One of the major changes under Ministerial Direction 117 is the stronger priority given to certain onshore family visa applications. 

Home Affairs states that Ministerial Direction 117 gives the highest priority to family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted while the applicant is in Australia. Lower priority applies where the primary applicant was outside Australia at the time of application or must be outside Australia at the time of grant. 

This does not mean offshore family visas are stopped. It means the Department follows the published processing priority order when managing applications. 

Applicants should avoid making travel or lodgement decisions based only on general assumptions. The visa subclass, applicant location, grant conditions and family situation all matter. 

Family Visa Processing Priority Order Under Ministerial Direction 117

Within the broader onshore and offshore priority categories, Ministerial Direction 117 sets out the order in which family visa applications are prioritised. 

This table explains why different family visa applicants can experience very different waiting periods. A Partner visa and a Parent visa are both family visas, but they do not sit at the same priority level. 

Ministerial intervention cases sit at the top because they involve special circumstances where the Minister has intervened. Partner and dependent child applications are then prioritised before parent and other family visa categories. 

Parent Visas Are Subject to Capping and Queueing

Parent visa processing is different from many other visa types because Parent visa applications are subject to capping and queueing. 

Capping means there is a maximum number of visas that can be granted in a migration program year. Once that number is reached, no more visas in that capped category can be granted for that year. Queueing means remaining eligible applications wait until places become available in future program years. 

Home Affairs states that all Parent visa applications are subject to capping and queueing. This includes Parent subclass 103, Aged Parent subclass 804, Contributory Parent subclasses 143 and 173, and Contributory Aged Parent subclasses 864 and 884. 

This is why Parent visa applicants can wait many years even after lodging a valid application. 

Contributory Parent Visas are Estimated at 15 Years

For new applications, Home Affairs currently estimates the processing time for Contributory Parent visas at 15 years. 

Contributory Parent visas generally have higher visa application charges than non-contributory parent visas, but they have historically been processed faster than standard Parent and Aged Parent visas because of separate planning settings and the contributory structure. 

A 15-year estimate is still a very long time. Families should not treat a Contributory Parent visa as a fast option. It may be faster than non-contributory parent visas, but it is still a long-term migration plan. 

Applicants should also remember that these are estimated timeframes. Home Affairs says it cannot provide exact processing timeframes for Parent visas because they are subject to capping and queueing. 

Non-Contributory Parent and Aged Parent Visas are Estimated at 33 Years

For new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications, Home Affairs currently estimates a processing timeframe of 33 years. 

This includes non-contributory Parent visa pathways such as subclass 103 and Aged Parent subclass 804. These visas may have lower government charges than contributory options, but the queue is much longer. 

A 33-year timeframe can be difficult for families to accept. It may not be practical for every parent, especially older parents or families needing reunification sooner. 

This is why families should explore all available options before lodging a parent visa, including whether a visitor visa, sponsored family visitor pathway, temporary parent visa or other family strategy may be relevant. These alternatives do not replace permanent parent visas, but they may help families plan time together while waiting. 

Ministerial Direction 103 Still Matters for Queued Family Visas

Ministerial Direction 117 sets the broader family visa priority order, but Home Affairs also refers to Ministerial Direction 103 for applications subject to capping and queueing. 

Ministerial Direction 103 specifies processing in queue date order for family visa applications that are subject to capping and queueing. 

This is important because Parent visa applicants may ask why their application is not simply processed faster due to urgency. For queued visas, the queue date and annual cap play a major role. 

Partner and Dependent Child Visas Sit Higher in the Family Priority Order 

Partner and dependent child applications sit higher than parent applications under the family visa priority order. This reflects the policy priority given to immediate family reunification involving partners and dependent children. 

This does not mean partner or child visas are always quick. Processing still depends on the application, evidence, health, character, checks and Department workload. But under Ministerial Direction 117, they sit above parent and other family categories in the family processing hierarchy. 

Compassionate and Compelling Circumstances May be Considered Case by Case

Home Affairs states that applications may be prioritised in limited circumstances where special compassionate circumstances exist and there are compelling reasons to depart from the usual priority order. 

This does not mean applicants can simply request priority because they feel the wait is long. The circumstances must be special and compelling, and decisions are made case by case. 

Families should seek advice before preparing a priority request. Weak or unsupported requests may not help and can create unrealistic expectations. 

Long Parent Visa Wait Times Need Practical Family Planning

For many families, the hardest part of Parent visa planning is accepting the timeline. A 15-year or 33-year estimate can affect health care, retirement planning, family support, travel, finances and emotional wellbeing. 

A Parent visa may still be the right choice for some families, but it should be understood as a long-term plan. Families should not assume that lodging a Parent visa will allow parents to settle in Australia soon. 

Common Mistakes Families Make With Parent and Family Visas

Family visa mistakes often happen because applicants rely on general advice or emotional urgency instead of checking the actual rules and processing priorities. 

The right pathway depends on the family’s goal. Some families want permanent settlement. Others need temporary visits, care arrangements or a staged plan. 

Final Advice for Families Planning Parent or Family Visas

Ministerial Direction 117 is now the key processing priority direction for family visa applications, replacing Ministerial Direction 102 from 25 July 2026. It gives higher priority to eligible onshore family visa applications and sets the family visa priority order from ministerial intervention cases through partner, child, orphan relative, contributory parent, carer and other parent or family visa categories. 

For parent visa applicants, the biggest issue remains the queue. New Contributory Parent visa applications are currently estimated at 15 years, while new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications are estimated at 33 years. These timeframes are not fixed guarantees, but they show how serious the backlog is. 

Families should not choose a Parent visa only by comparing government charges. They should compare waiting time, eligibility, long-term settlement needs, temporary visa options, parent age, health, finances and family priorities. 

Aussizz Group can help families understand Ministerial Direction 117, Parent visa queueing, Contributory Parent visa options, Partner and Child visa priorities, Carer visa options and temporary family visit strategies. 

Aussizz Group has helped 200,000+ applicants to their Australian Dreams, and the right advice can help families make informed decisions before entering a visa queue that may last many years. 

FAQs

Q1. What is Ministerial Direction 117?

Ministerial Direction 117 is the processing priority direction for Family visa applications. It replaced Ministerial Direction 102 on 25 July 2026 and tells decision makers the order in which family visa applications should be considered. 

Q2. Which family visa applications get the highest priority?

Family migration applications that have been subject to ministerial intervention receive the highest priority. Partner and dependent child applications are next in the listed priority order. 

Q3. Are Parent visas lower priority than Partner visas?

Yes. Under the family visa priority order, Partner and dependent child applications are prioritised above Contributory Parent, Parent, Aged Parent, Carer, Remaining Relative and Aged Dependent Relative applications. 

Q4. How long does a Contributory Parent visa take in Australia?

Home Affairs currently estimates that new Contributory Parent visa applications may take around 15 years to process. 

Q5. How long does a non-contributory Parent visa take in Australia?

Home Affairs currently estimates that new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications may take around 33 years to process. 

Q6. Why do Parent visas take so long?

Parent visas are subject to capping and queueing. This means only a limited number can be granted each program year, and remaining eligible applications must wait in the queue until places become available. 

Q7. What is a Parent visa queue date?

A queue date is assigned after the Department assesses that the application meets the core visa criteria for queueing. Applications are later released for final processing in queue date order. 

Q8. Can a Parent visa be prioritised for compassionate reasons?

In limited circumstances, an application may be prioritised if it involves special circumstances of a compassionate nature and compelling reasons to depart from the normal priority order. This is assessed case by case. 

Q9. Is a Contributory Parent visa better than a Parent visa?

It depends on the family’s situation. Contributory Parent visas have higher costs but shorter estimated processing times than non-contributory Parent visas. Families should compare cost, timing and long-term goals before deciding. 

Q10. Can Aussizz Group help with Parent and Family visa planning?

Yes. Aussizz Group can help families understand Partner, Child, Parent, Contributory Parent, Carer and other family visa options, including processing priorities and queue timelines.