Check Your Family Position
Review whether your parent-child relationship and family structure meet the relevant requirements before you proceed.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa · Subclass 173
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 173
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 173 allows eligible parents to live in Australia temporarily with their settled child for up to 2 years.
Applicants need to meet the relevant family, sponsorship, health and character requirements. Once granted, the visa provides work and study rights and allows multiple travel while it remains valid. Government support is not provided through this temporary pathway.
Stay periodUp to 2 years
Applications are subject to capping and queueing.
As at August 2026, Home Affairs estimates around 15 years for new contributory parent applications.
Parent Visa Support
How We Can Help
Review the Family Test
Assess your children and stepchildren against the mandatory Balance of Family Test.
Confirm the Sponsor
Check the proposed sponsor’s relationship, Australian status and settlement circumstances.
Prepare the Evidence
Organise the identity, relationship, sponsorship and family documents needed for your application.
Manage Paper Lodgement
Assist with the required forms, supporting documents and current paper application process.
Support During the Queue
Help with Home Affairs requests, application updates and changes that arise during processing.
Subclass 173
Key Visa Information
| Feature | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Temporary |
| Stay period | Up to 2 years |
| Work rights | Yes |
| Study rights | Yes |
| Multiple travel | Yes, while valid |
| Parent age requirement | No pension-age threshold |
| Sponsorship | Required |
| Balance of Family Test | Required |
| Assurance of Support | Not required for grant |
| Starting cost | Around AUD 33,375 for one applicant |
| Payment | Two instalments |
| Application method | Paper application |
| Current processing estimate | Around 15 years for new contributory parent applications |
Standard Pathway
Requirements
Under the standard pathway, you generally need to:
- Be the parent of a qualifying settled child in Australia
- Have an eligible sponsor approved by Home Affairs
- Pass the Balance of Family Test
- Meet health requirements
- Meet character requirements
- Address applicable Australian Government debt
- Meet relevant immigration-history requirements
- Sign the Australian Values Statement if required
Applicants under 18 must also satisfy the best-interests-of-the-child requirement.
There is no pension-age requirement for this temporary parent visa.
Sponsorship
Who Can Sponsor?
Settled Child
Usually the applicant’s settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen child.
Child’s Spouse or Partner
In eligible circumstances, the settled child’s spouse or de facto partner may sponsor the parent.
Eligible Relative or Guardian
Where the child is under 18, an eligible relative or guardian may be able to provide sponsorship.
Community Organisation
In limited circumstances involving a child under 18, an eligible community organisation may be able to sponsor the parent.
The sponsor must meet the applicable Home Affairs requirements and provide the required sponsorship documents.
Government Charge
Cost
As at August 2026, the government visa application charge starts at around AUD 33,375 for a single applicant.
The charge is paid in two instalments.
First Instalment
Paid when the application is submitted.
Second Instalment
Paid when requested by Home Affairs and before the visa can be finalised.
Including eligible family members may increase the overall charge. Other possible costs include:
Health checksPolice clearancesBiometricsTranslationsProfessional migration assistance
From 1 July 2026, lower charges may apply to eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.
Government charges can change. Check current Home Affairs pricing before lodging.
Capping & Queueing
Processing Time
Applications are subject to capping and queueing.
As at August 2026, Home Affairs estimates around 15 years for new contributory parent applications. This is a category estimate rather than a guaranteed timeframe for an individual case.
Eligible applications receive a queue date and move toward final assessment as places become available.
Queue dates and processing estimates can change.
Paper Application
How to Apply
Under the current Home Affairs process, new applications are submitted on paper by post or courier rather than online.
Check Eligibility
Confirm the parent relationship, sponsorship and Balance of Family Test.
Prepare Forms
Complete the current Form 47PA together with the required sponsorship and family forms.
Gather Documents
Prepare the identity, relationship, sponsor and family evidence relevant to your circumstances.
Lodge by Paper
Send the completed application, supporting evidence and proof of the first instalment payment by post or courier.
Queue Assessment
Home Affairs assesses the core requirements and may assign a queue date.
Complete Later Requirements
Provide health, character, biometrics or additional documents when requested.
Pay the Second Instalment
Home Affairs will issue an invoice when the second payment becomes due.
Visa Decision
A standard applicant must be outside Australia when Home Affairs decides the application.
After Lodgement
Using ImmiAccount After Lodgement
Although the initial application is paper-based, it can generally be imported into ImmiAccount after the Home Affairs acknowledgement letter is received.
Once imported, ImmiAccount can be used to:
Upload additional documents
View Home Affairs messages
Update personal details
Check application information and status
Applicants should follow the instructions provided in their acknowledgement correspondence because online processes can change.
Application Evidence
Document Checklist
You may need:
01Passport & ID
02Parent-Child Evidence
03Sponsor Documents
04Form 40
05Form 47PA
06Family Test Evidence
07Partner Documents
08Dependant Documents
09Form 47A
10Health Documents
11Character Documents
Exact documents depend on your family circumstances. Current Home Affairs forms and translation requirements should be followed when preparing the application.
Temporary Stay
How Long Can You Stay?
The visa allows a stay of up to 2 years.
For a standard visa holder, the two-year period begins when they enter Australia after grant.
During this period, you can:
Live in Australia
Work
Study
Leave and return multiple times while the visa remains valid
Government support is not provided through this temporary visa.
Think Higher Consultants
Why Choose Think Higher Consultants?
Registered Migration Agent
Guidance from Aneel Khowaja, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1571699.
11+ Years’ Experience
More than 11 years of experience providing Australian migration guidance.
Parent Visa Experience
Professional support with family, sponsorship and long-term parent migration matters.
Clear Guidance
Advice based on your individual circumstances and the requirements that apply to your application.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Apply From Australia?
Yes. You and eligible family members can generally be inside or outside Australia when the application is lodged, provided no migration restriction prevents a valid application. You cannot be in immigration clearance when applying. A No Further Stay condition may also prevent an onshore application unless successfully waived.
Does Lodging Give You a Bridging Visa?
No. Lodging this parent visa application does not provide an associated bridging visa. If you apply while in Australia, you need to maintain another valid visa or leave before your current visa expires. This is particularly important because of the lengthy parent visa queue.
Can the Visa Be Extended?
No. You cannot simply extend this visa or apply for another one of the same temporary subclass to continue your stay. You need to consider your lawful visa options before the two-year period ends if you intend to remain in Australia.
Can I Add a Family Member After Lodgement?
You may be able to add an eligible family member before Home Affairs makes a decision. The applicable Home Affairs process must be followed, together with the required relationship and identity evidence.
Do I Need to Report Changes?
Yes. Important changes should be reported while the application is being processed, including new passport, address, phone number, email, relationship status and family composition. Use the current Home Affairs notification process when reporting changes.
Parent Visa Enquiry
Get Help With Your Parent Visa
With a substantial government charge, mandatory family requirements and a lengthy queue, it is important to understand the pathway before lodging.
Think Higher Consultants can review your family circumstances, sponsorship, supporting evidence and application requirements and assist throughout the process.
Book a consultation with Think Higher Consultants to discuss your parent visa options.