Overview
The Contributory Parent visas allow the parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to move to Australia. There are two types: a temporary visa (subclass 173) and a permanent visa (subclass 143).
Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa
This is a temporary visa that allows parents to stay in Australia while they await a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Meet the balance-of-family test, which assesses your family ties to Australia.
- Meet all visa conditions and follow Australian law.
- Not have applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870).
What You Can Do:
- Live in Australia for up to 2 years.
- Work and study in Australia (without receiving government support).
- Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143).
Important Notes:
- You must be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You must agree to provide accommodation and financial support for the sponsored applicants.
- You can apply to be a sponsor using Form 40 (Sponsorship for migration to Australia).
Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa
This is a permanent visa that allows parents to live indefinitely in Australia.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen (unless applying for the Retirement Pathway).
- Meet the balance-of-family test (unless applying for the Retirement Pathway or already holding a subclass 173 visa).
- Have an Assurance of Support, unless applying for the Retirement Pathway.
- Not have applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870).
What You Can Do:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely.
- Work and study in Australia.
- Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Sponsor family members to come to Australia.
- Travel to and enter Australia for 5 years.
- Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
Important Notes:
- You must be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You must agree to provide accommodation and financial support for sponsored applicants.
- You can apply to be a sponsor using Form 40 (Sponsorship for migration to Australia).
Scope of Sponsorship
- Sponsorship covers the main visa applicant and any accompanying family members.
- You can sponsor more than one parent to come to Australia under these visa subclasses.
These visas provide a pathway for parents of Australian citizens or residents to join their families in Australia, offering both temporary and permanent residency options.