The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) lets parents of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily.
If you are granted this visa and want to stay in Australia permanently, you can then 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 costs of your migration over a number of years.
Am I eligible for a Contributory Parent visa?
Subclass 173 Visa – Eligibility
To be eligible, you must have a child who is:
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
You must also meet the balance-of-family test. This means:
- At least half of your children must live in Australia, OR
- More of your children live in Australia than in any other country
Length of Stay
2 years
Subclass 173 Visa – Summary
Subclass 173 is a temporary visa with:
- An initial Australian government fee of $3,395 for the main applicant
- $1,700 for a spouse
Before the visa is granted, the second instalment of $29,130 must be paid.
This visa takes approximately 14+ years to process.
If approved, applicants are granted a 2-year temporary visa. Before this visa expires, they must:
- Pay an additional $19,420, and
- Apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
In all cases, the second instalment is only requested after each applicant has passed health and character tests and the Assurance of Support (AoS) has been lodged with the Australian government.
In no case will a second instalment be paid and a visa not granted.
Second instalments are non-refundable in all cases.
Fees (Subclass 173 to Subclass 143 Pathway)
Subclass 173 (Temporary Stage)
VisaEnvoy Professional Fee – Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary – SC173)
$4,500+
Application Fee (at time of application)*
- Main Applicant*: $3,395
- Dependent Application Fee (Spouse)*: $1,700
2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)*
- Main Applicant: $29,130
- Spouse: $29,130
*1.4% Credit card surcharge applies.
Subclass 143 (Permanent Stage After 173)
VisaEnvoy Professional Fee – Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent – SC143)
$2,000+
Application Fee (at time of application)*
- Main Applicant*: $445
- Dependent Application Fee (Spouse)*: $225
2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)*
- Main Applicant: $19,420
- Spouse: $19,420
*1.4% Credit card surcharge applies.
The Process
Processing Time
We don’t provide processing times for Contributory Parent, Parent, Contributory Aged Parent, and Aged Parent visa applications. Applications for these visas are subject to capping and queuing.
We estimate new Contributory Parent visa applications lodged that meet the criteria to be queued are likely to take at least 12 years to be released for final processing.
Sponsor
You must be sponsored.
Usually, your sponsor will be your child, who must be:
- 18 years old or older
- A settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
A sponsor can sponsor more than one parent for this visa.
Sponsors have financial and other responsibilities.
Balance-of-Family Test
You must meet the balance-of-family test. This means that:
- At least half of your children live permanently in Australia
or
- More of your children live permanently in Australia than in any one other country
Health Requirement
You must meet the health requirement.
Character Requirement
You must meet the character requirement.
Debts to the Australian Government
You must have repaid, or arranged to repay, any outstanding debts to the Australian government.
Cancelled Visas
You might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused while you were in Australia.
What You Can Do on a Subclass 173 Visa
This visa lets you:
- Live in Australia for up to two years
- Work and study in Australia (you will not receive government support)
- Enrol in Medicare (Australia’s healthcare scheme)
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for two years from the date the visa is granted
- Apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
You cannot extend or re-apply for this visa.
Location
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for this visa.
You must be outside Australia when the visa is decided.
How Long the Visa Lasts
The visa lasts two years.
The visa starts on the date you enter Australia on the visa.
Extending Your Stay
You cannot extend or re-apply for this visa.
If you want to stay in Australia permanently, you can apply for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) before your subclass 173 visa expires.
Family
You can include:
- Your partner
- Your child or step-child
- Your partner’s child or step-child
Family members who are granted this visa have the same rights and obligations as you.
Your Obligations
You and your family members must comply with Australian laws and your visa conditions.
You can find your visa conditions in VEVO.
Medicare
You can enrol if either:
- You’ve applied for a contributory parent visa and have a temporary 173 or 884 visa
- You have a permanent contributory parent visa subclass 143 or 864
You may be able to enrol if you have a temporary contributory parent visa (173 visa).
Visa Caps for 2024–25 Financial Year
The maximum number of family visas that may be granted for the 2024–25 financial year for Contributory Parent visas are:
- 6,800 Contributory Parent visas, including 112 Subclass 143 visas under the Retiree Pathway
- 1,700 Parent visas, including 13 Subclass 103 visas under the Retiree Pathway
- 500 Other Family visas
