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. 

What can you do with a Parent Visa 173?  

  • Stay Temporarily in Australia: You can stay up to 2 years in Australia with a 173 visa. The visa period will start from the date you arrive in Australia after your visa is granted.  
  • Work: You can work full-time in Australia during the validity of your Subclass 173 visa. 
  • Study: You are also permitted to undertake study in Australia while holding this visa. 
  • Travel: The Subclass 173 visa allows multiple entries into and exits from Australia during its validity period. This means you can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want. 
  • Access Medicare: As a holder of this visa, you may be eligible to access Australia’s public healthcare system, known as Medicare, which provides a range of free medical services. 
  • Transition to Permanent Visa: Before the 173 visa expiration, you can apply for a Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 143) to continue residing in Australia permanently. 

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:  

Base Application Charge   Additional Applicant Charge (18 and over)  Additional Applicant Charge (Under 18) 
3,210   1,605  805 

 

The second instalment:  

Base Application Charge   Additional Applicant Charge (18 and over)  Additional Applicant Charge (Under 18) 
29,130  29,130  2,095 

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

FAQs

How long is the validity period of the Subclass 173 visa?

Typically, the Subclass 173 visa has a validity period of up to two years. It is a temporary visa. 

Can I work in Australia on a Subclass 173 visa?

Yes, Subclass 173 visa holders are generally allowed to work in Australia without restrictions during the validity of their visa. 

Can I include my stepchildren in my Subclass 173 visa application?

Yes, stepchildren can be included in your Subclass 173 visa application if they meet the eligibility criteria. They should be under 18 years old at the date when the visa 173 is granted. If they are 18 years old or older, then they must depend on you to be eligible for this visa. 

What happens if I have more children after my Subclass 173 visa is granted?

Children born after the grant of your Subclass 173 visa are not automatically included in your visa. You will need to apply for their inclusion and meet the visa requirements. 

What happens after the Subclass 173 visa expires?

Before the Subclass 173 visa expires, you can apply for a Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 143) if you wish to continue residing in Australia permanently. 

What is the difference between 173 and 143 visa?

The Subclass 173 and Subclass 143 visas are related Australian parent visas, but they differ in their nature and purpose. Here are the key differences between the two: 

Subclass 173 Visa (Contributory Parent Visa – Temporary): This is a temporary visa that allows parents to stay in Australia with their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen children for 2 years only. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the temporary reunion of parents with their children. 

Subclass 143 Visa (Contributory Parent Visa – Permanent): This is a permanent visa that grants parents the right to live in Australia permanently with their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen children. Therefore, you can stay in Australia permanently and you can have the benefits of an Australian Permanent Resident.  

Can I get Medicare benefits with the visa 173?

Yes, you can apply for a Medicare if you are holding the visa 173.  

Can I get a bridging visa after I lodge a 173-visa application?

You have the option to apply for the Subclass 173 visa whether you are in Australia (onshore) or outside of Australia (offshore). However, it’s important to note that unlike some other visas, the Subclass 173 visa does not come with a bridging visa. Therefore, if you apply for it while you are in Australia, you must plan to leave the country before your current visa expires. 

How can SOL Migration assist you in gaining a Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 173?

SOL Migration has a strong team of 6 experienced Registered Migration Agents. Our Registered Migration Agents will assess your eligibility and guide you through the process of applying for the visas you require. We will assist you in preparing all the relevant documents for your application. 

Contact us today on 07 3003 1899 or fill out the enquiry form. Our team will contact you within 24 hours at the latest!  

Book a consultation to discuss your visa options

Get in touch with us today and lets us help you with your visa options

Book Now