It is understood that this new visa will not replace the two permanent migration options but will sit alongside the current visa options. It will allow up to 15,000 people each year to come to Australia on a temporary parent visa.

Children/Sponsors will be responsible for the financial burden of providing healthcare to their parents – they will be put under a legal obligation to pay for their health insurance. Children/Sponsors will also need to act as financial guarantors for any extra healthcare costs their parents accrue while in Australia. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the government plan was to help reunite families without putting an extra cost on to the health system.

Children sponsoring their parents on the new visa will need to be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. Visa holders will not be allowed to work but will have limited study options as well as multiple re-entry rights. This visa will also offer no pathway to permanent residency.