Features
This visa allows parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily. If granted this visa, and you wish to stay permanently, you can apply for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143).
Applying for the temporary subclass 173 visa before the permanent subclass 143 visa allows you to spread the migration costs over several years.
Eligibility
- You must have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- At least half of your children must live in Australia, or more of your children must live in Australia than in any other country.
Length of Stay
- 2 years
Summary
The subclass 173 is a temporary visa with an initial government fee of $3,300, plus $1,650 for a spouse. Before the visa is granted, a second installment of $29,130 must be paid. Processing time is approximately 12+ years, after which a 2-year temporary visa is granted. Before the visa expires, an additional $19,420 must be paid to apply for the permanent subclass 143 visa.
The second installment is only required after passing health and character tests and lodging an Assurance of Support (AoS). The second installment is non-refundable but guarantees the visa will be granted once paid.
Fees for Subclass 173 > Subclass 143 Pathway
VisaEnvoy Professional Fees:
- Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary-SC173): $4,500
- Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent-SC143): $2,000
Application Fees (Subclass 173):
- Main Applicant: $3,300
- Dependent (Spouse): $1,650
- 2nd Visa Application Charge:
- Main Applicant: $29,130
- Spouse: $29,130
Application Fees (Subclass 143):
- Main Applicant: $430
- Dependent (Spouse): $220
- 2nd Visa Application Charge:
- Main Applicant: $19,420
- Spouse: $19,420
Note: A 1.4% credit card surcharge applies.
Process and Processing Time
There are no standard processing times for Contributory Parent and related visas, as applications are subject to capping and queuing. Current estimates suggest it will take at least 12 years for new applications to be processed.
Sponsor Requirements
You must be sponsored, typically by your child, who must be:
- At least 18 years old
- A settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Sponsors can sponsor multiple parents and have financial and other responsibilities.
Balance-of-Family Test
You must pass the balance-of-family test, meaning:
- At least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or
- More of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other country.
Health and Character Requirements
- You must meet the health and character requirements.
- You must have repaid, or arranged to repay, any outstanding debts to the Australian government.
- You may not be eligible if you’ve had a visa cancelled or refused in Australia.
Visa Benefits
With this visa, you can:
- Live in Australia for up to 2 years
- Work and study (without government support)
- Enroll in Medicare, Australia’s healthcare scheme
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want within 2 years
- Apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
This visa cannot be extended or reapplied for.
Location
You can apply for this visa from inside or outside Australia, but you must be outside Australia when the visa decision is made.
Family Inclusions
You can include your partner and your or your partner’s child or step-child in your application. Family members included in the application have the same rights and obligations as you.
Obligations
You and your family members must comply with Australian laws and your visa conditions, which can be checked in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online).
Medicare
You may enroll in Medicare if:
- You’ve applied for a contributory parent visa and hold a temporary 173 or 884 visa, or
- You hold a permanent contributory parent visa (subclass 143 or 864).
Visa Caps for 2023-2024
For the 2023-2024 financial year, a maximum of 6,800 family visas may be granted across these subclasses:
- Contributory Parent (Migrant) Subclass 143 (includes 112 visas under the Retiree Pathway)
- Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) Subclass 864
- Contributory Parent (Temporary) Subclass 173
- Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Subclass 884