Contributory Parent Temporary Visa Subclass 173
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) lets parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen live in Australia for up to 2 years. It’s a higher-cost “contributory” visa designed as a fast-tracked pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 143 visa.
Overview
Subclass 173 is a temporary, offshore/onshore pathway that grants up to 2 years of residence with the ability to live, work, and study in Australia (without government support). It cannot be extended or renewed before it expires you must apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143). Government charges start from AUD 32,525 (two instalments for a single applicant), with additional costs for family members, health, police, biometrics, and an Assurance of Support when invited. Due to capped places and high demand, processing is queued and can still be lengthy, though typically faster than non‑contributory parent visas. From 2 April 2025, paper applications can be imported into ImmiAccount for online management.
Do You Have What It Takes?
- ✔ Have a child who is a settled Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen.
- ✔ Be sponsored by your eligible child (sponsor must be settled).
- ✔ Meet all visa conditions and Australian law requirements.
- ✔ Satisfy health requirements (medical exams if requested).
- ✔ Satisfy character requirements (police certificates if requested).
- ✔ Meet Balance of Family test if directed for contributory streams’ assessment.
- ✔ Pay required visa application charges (contributory amounts).
- ✔ Provide Assurance of Support details if requested later.
- ✔ Not hold or have applied for a Subclass 870 at the time of 173 application.
- ✔ Lodge Subclass 143 before Subclass 173 expires to continue pathway.
Why Choose This Path?
- Live in Australia for up to 2 years.
- Work and study in Australia (no government support).
- Multiple-entry travel while the visa is valid.
- Direct pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 143.
- Generally faster than non contributory parent visas.
- Time in Australia to settle near family.
- Access to private health cover; Medicare once on 143 PR.
- Manage application steps via ImmiAccount (post April 2025 imports).
- Opportunity to plan finances before the 143 second VAC.
- Clear, staged route to permanent parent migration.
Your Roadmap to Success
- Confirm eligibility and secure a settled Australian sponsor (your child).
- Gather identity, relationship, and sponsor documents.
- Lodge Subclass 173 and pay the first VAC.
- Complete health checks and provide police certificates if requested.
- Provide biometrics and any additional evidence promptly.
- Monitor Parent visa queue updates and ImmiAccount messages.
- Pay the second VAC for 173 when invited.
- Receive decision; if granted, enter and live in Australia up to 2 years.
- Apply for Subclass 143 before your 173 expires.
- Finalise 143 (including Assurance of Support and second VAC) to obtain PR.
Visa Duration
Initial Duration
Temporary
Visa Pathways
Pathway to Permanent Residence
The primary intended pathway from the temporary Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 173 is to permanent residency through the Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143. Before your 2-year temporary visa expires you should apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa which requires additional application fee of AUD 19,420 for main applicant (no additional Assurance of Support bond required if you already lodged one for temporary visa) but allows you to remain in Australia indefinitely once granted.
Processing times
Costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main Applicant | AUD29,130.00 | Over 2 instalments for a single applicant. |
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