In late July, the Department of Home Affairs changed the order in which family visas are processed. Applications lodged inside Australia now move ahead of those sent from abroad.

Before this change, the Home Affairs website said parent visa applications lodged in 2023 were expected to take an average of 15 to 33 years to be processed. The same figures show that more than 1,500 parent‑visa applicants died before receiving visas during the 21 months to 31 March. These statistics highlight how extreme the backlog has become.

Diep’s mother’s contributory parent visa has been pending since 2019. Diep tells VnExpress International that she has already paid about A$5,000 in application fees and expects to pay roughly A$50,000 more when the visa is finally granted. The uncertainty leaves her family without the support they hoped for during a crucial time.

A Home Affairs spokesperson said the policy shift is meant to reduce net overseas migration and to shorten waiting times for applicants who are already living, working and contributing in Australia. However, by giving lower priority to overseas applications, the change is likely to extend delays for families like Diep’s, adding financial pressure and emotional strain.

The new priorities may help some residents, but they also lengthen the wait for many parents abroad, putting families under growing stress. Readers should remember that policy changes can have real‑world consequences for everyday people trying to be together.