173 — Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa

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173 — Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

3–5 years

Estimated Cost

AUD $33,375

Stay Duration

2 years

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in Australia

Cost of Living

2% more than United States

Avg SalaryA$73,000

Quality of Life

187/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa.

The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) lets a parent of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying NZ citizen live in Australia for 2 years. Applicants must pass the balance-of-family test and pay fees in two instalments: a first charge at lodgement and AUD 29,130 before visa grant.

The visa includes full work rights and Medicare access. It cannot be renewed, but serves as a bridge to the permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143). Applications are subject to capping and queuing — current wait times exceed a decade for new applicants.

This visa is ideal for financially capable parents of Australians who want to reunite temporarily while awaiting a permanent parent visa decision.

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Cost Breakdown

First instalment (at time of application)AUD $4,245

Second instalment (before visa grant)AUD $29,130

TotalAUD $33,375

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Australia

143 — Contributory Parent Visa

ValidityPermanent

Processing0 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be the parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or qualifying New Zealand citizen.

Must have a qualifying sponsor (usually the child).

Must meet the Balance of Family Test (at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or more children live in Australia than in any other single country).

Must meet health and character requirements.

Must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.

Must not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.

Must not hold or have applied for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.

Must sign the Australian Values Statement.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Proof of identity (e.g., passport, national ID card).

Evidence of relationship to the sponsoring child (e.g., birth certificate).

Evidence of the child's Australian citizenship or permanent residency status.

Evidence of the Balance of Family Test (e.g., birth certificates of all children, proof of their residence).

Police certificates for character assessment.

Medical examination results for health assessment.

Sponsorship forms and evidence of the sponsor's qualification.

Photographs (45mm x 35mm).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows parents to live in Australia for 2 years
Pathway to permanent residency via the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
Allows for spreading the costs of permanent migration over a number of years
Includes work and study rights
Allows enrolment in Australia's Medicare public health scheme
Allows multiple entries and exits from Australia during the validity period

Worth Knowing

Very high total costs
Subject to strict capping and queuing, leading to long processing times
Cannot be extended or renewed
Requires significant financial contribution
Must be offshore for the final visa decision in many cases

Application Process

Check qualification

Gather necessary documentation (identity, relationship, sponsorship, health, and character)

Have the sponsor complete the required sponsorship form

Lodge the application (typically via paper/courier to the Parent Visa Centre)

Pay the first installment of the visa application charge

Complete health examinations and provide character evidence (e.g., police certificates)

Wait for the application to be assessed in the queue

Pay the second installment of the visa application charge when requested

Receive the visa grant

Application Forms

47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia	Fill online
40	—
47A Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over	Fill online
1229	—
956	—
956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient	Fill online
40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged parent or aged dependent relative)	—
40	Fill online
1229 Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18 years	—
956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person	—
956	Fill online
40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged parent or aged dependent relative)	—
40	Fill online
1229 Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18 years	—
956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person	—
956	Fill online
40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged parent or aged dependent relative)	—
40	Fill online
1229 Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18 years	—
956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person	—
956	Fill online