Contributory Parent Visa - Subclass 173

Overview

The Subclass 173 visa, also known as the Contributory Parent Visa, is a temporary visa that allows parents of settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to temporarily reside in Australia. 

It’s important to note that while the Subclass 173 visa allows temporary residence in Australia, it is a pathway to the permanent Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143), which grants permanent residency and more extensive rights in Australia. The Subclass 143 visa application can be made after holding the Subclass 173 visa, but it involves additional processing and application fees. 

Who can apply for a Contributory Parent Visa 173?    

The Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary) Subclass 173 is designed for parents who wish to join their Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen children temporarily in Australia. To be eligible to apply for a Subclass 173 visa, you generally need to meet the following criteria: 

• Parental Relationship: You must be the parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This relationship must be proven through documentation, such as birth certificates. 
• Sponsorship: You must have an eligible sponsor in Australia. The sponsor is typically your child (the Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen). If your child is under 18 years old, your eligible relative or a community organisation can become your sponsor.  
• Meet the Balance of Family Test: To meet the Balance of Family Test, you must demonstrate that at least half of your children are living in Australia as Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, or that more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country. This can be a complex requirement, and it’s essential to understand and meet this test. 
• Meet Health and Character Requirements: You and your family members applying with you must meet health and character requirements. This may include providing police clearances and undergoing medical examinations. 
• No Prior Visa Cancellation or refusal: You might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused before.  
• No Outstanding Debts to the Australian Government: You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian government. 

Are you wondering if you are eligible for this visa? Contact our experienced Registered Migration Agents today to have free eligibility check!  

Who can be a sponsor for a Contributory Parent Visa 173?  

The child of the main applicant  

For a Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary) Subclass 173, the sponsor is typically the child of the parents who wish to migrate to Australia. However, the sponsor must meet certain eligibility criteria to be eligible to sponsor their parents for this visa. Here are the key requirements for a sponsor: 

• Be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Eligible New Zealand Citizen: The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Only individuals with one of these statuses can sponsor their parents for this visa. 
• Be settled and regularly live in Australia. 
• Age requirement: The sponsor must be 18 years old or above.  

The relative or eligible person 

If the child of the visa applicant is under 18 years old, then a relative or eligible person can sponsor the visa applicant on behalf of the child. In this case, the sponsor must:  

• be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. 
• residing in Australia and have established settled status. 
• 18 years of age or older. 

The 173-visa sponsor must also fall into one of the following categories: 

• is the child’s co-habiting spouse. 
• is a relative or guardian of the child. 
• is a relative or guardian of the child’s co-habiting spouse. 

The community organization  

Your community organization is eligible to sponsor a visa 173 applicant if the following conditions are met:  

• There is an established connection between the organization and the applicant’s child. 
• A senior representative of the organization is willing to act as the sponsor for the applicant. 
• The organization has been legally established and recognized within Australia. 
• The organization has been actively engaged in its activities within Australia for at least one year. 
• The organization possesses the capacity to meet its financial commitments. 

There is no cost to sponsor a visa subclass 173.  

If you have any questions about the visa 173 sponsorship, call us on 07 3003 1899 or fill in the enquiry form. Our experienced Registered Migration Agents are here to help!  

How to apply for a 173 visa?  

The process of applying for a contributory parent visa involves both the applicant’s and the sponsor’s responsibility.   

Step 1: You apply for a Visa 173 

You must apply for a visa 173 on paper, from in or outside Australia. You must fill out all forms and submit the below documentation:  

• Your identity document: For example, passport, national ID card, etc.  
• Sponsorship documents: It means your sponsor needs to apply for a sponsorship before you apply for this visa. 
• Balance of family documents: You must meet the “balance of family” test by providing (1) evidence of the relationship with your child, and (2) evidence of all your children’s country of permanent residences.  
• Character documents: police certificates for every country where you spent for 1 year or more. 
• Your dependents documents: If you have dependents applying with you, you must submit (1) their identify documents, (2) documents about your relationship with them, character documents, (3) documents of their other relationships if applicable, and (4) evidence of dependency if your they are over 18 years old.  
• Your partner documents, including the identity document, the character document and the relationship documents.  
• The case officer starts processing your application only when the first visa instalment fee is paid.   

Step 2: You wait for a Visa 173 

• You will be asked for organising health examinations and biometrics. The Department of Home Affairs will inform you when you need to organise.  
• You can also add family members to your application before your visa outcome is released.  
• You must pay the 2nd instalment fee and the Department of Home Affair will send you an invoice.  

How to include the family member into a 173 visa?  

To include family members (such as your spouse or dependent children) in a Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary) Subclass 173 application, you must include their details and relevant documentation when you submit your visa application. Here are the steps to include family members: 

• Complete the Application Form: When filling out the visa application form for the Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary) Subclass 173, make sure to include all family members who intend to accompany you to Australia. This typically includes your spouse and dependent children. 

• Provide Supporting Documents: Gather the necessary supporting documents for each family member you wish to include in your application. This may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, evidence of the family relationship, and the evidence of dependency if your they are over 18 years old. 
• Meet Health and Character Requirements: Ensure that all family members meet the health and character requirements as outlined by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. This may involve medical examinations and police clearances. 

Please note that there will be extra cost for each family member applying with you.  

How much does it cost to apply for a 173 parent visa?  

The visa fee will be paid into 2 times called instalments. The first instalment is when you lodge the visa application. The 2nd instalment is when the Department of Home Affairs ask you to do so. The actual fees for this visa vary, depending on your circumstances. Below is the most common fee applied.  

The first instalment:  

The second instalment:  

Please note that the fees applied for your application can differ from the above fees. Contact us to know more!  

FAQs