Overview of Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173), is it for you?

The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) is a permanent visa that allows parents of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live temporarily in Australia. This visa is the first step in a two-stage process towards obtaining the permanent Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) visa. It allows you to spread the costs of the contributory parent visas over a longer period.
To be eligible, applicants must have an eligible sponsor (usually their child who is settled in Australia) and meet the Balance of Family test. This test is identical to the one required for the Subclass 143 visa. A significant first instalment of the visa application charge (contribution) is required for this temporary visa. An Assurance of Support (AoS) covering the visa period is also mandatory.
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for this visa. Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) also allows you to include eligible family members like spouse and dependent children in your application.
Stay:
This is a permanent visa, often granted for 2 years . So that means the parent (applicant) can permanently reside in Australia with you sponsor. Activities such as work and study are also allowed without having to hold any other Australian visa. Being a permanent resident of Australia later parent (applicant) can sponsor eligible family members for certain visas too. Plus, you may be able to enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare, but it’s best to confirm eligibility upon grant, as temporary visa holders can have different access conditions.
 (*Note:   Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date the visa is granted. After 5 years, you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa or another valid visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.)

Requirements to be eligible for Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143)

There are two different catagories of requirements for the applicant (the parent) and those for the sponsor (their child or other eligible sponsor).
Requirements for the Applicant (Parent):
1.    Location: You must be either outside or inside of Australia when you apply for this visa. If you are in Australia, you must hold an substantive visa or a bridging visa when you put your application forward for this visa.
2.    Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor. This is usually your child, but can also be your child’s partner, or in limited circumstances (if your child is under 18), an eligible relative or a community organisation. The sponsorship must be approved.
3.    Relationship to Sponsor’s Child: You must be the parent (biological, adoptive, or in some specific circumstances, a step-parent) of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is your sponsor’s child.
4. Balance of Family Test: You must meet the Balance of Family test. This means:
        At least half of your children (including step-children and adopted children) must be “eligible children” (Australian citizens, permanent residents usually living in Australia, or eligible New Zealand citizens usually living in Australia).
OR,
        More of your “eligible children” must live permanently in Australia than in any other single country. For example: if you have 3 children then 2 of them must be living in Australia permanently.
(*Note:  Certain children may not be counted in this test (e.g., deceased children, children removed from parental custody by law)
5.   Age: There is no specific age limit for you as the parent applicant for Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143).
6.   Assurance of Support (AoS): An AoS must be provided. This is a legal commitment from someone (usually your sponsor, but can be another person or an organisation) to provide you with financial support so you do not have to rely on social security payments from the Australian government for a certain period after your visa is granted. The Department will let you know when this is required.
7. Health Requirements: You (and any family members included in your application) must meet Australia’s health requirements. This involves undergoing medical examinations through Bupa Medical Visa Services in Australia if the applicant is in Australia. But, if the applicant is out of Australia, then booking medical examinations with a panel physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs in their country of residence must be done.
8.  Character Requirements: You (and any family members 16 years or older applying with you) must meet Australia’s character requirements. This involves providing police certificates.
9.   Debts to the Australian Government: If you or any family members included in your application owe the Australian Government money, it must have been paid back or an arrangement made to pay it back.
10.   Australian Values Statement: If you are 18 years of age or older, you must sign an Australian Values Statement.
11.    No Previous Visa Cancellation or Refusal: Previous Australian immigration history will be considered.
12.    Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870): You must not have already applied for or hold a Subclass 870 visa, unless you are a former Subclass 870 visa holder and meet specific criteria (e.g., you have left Australia).
Requirements for the Sponsor (Your Child or other eligible sponsor):
1.    Relationship to Applicant: The sponsor is usually your child (biological, adopted, or in some cases, step-child). If your child is under 18, their eligible partner who is 18 or over, or an eligible relative or community organisation, can sponsor you.
2.   Status in Australia: Your sponsoring child (or other individual sponsor) must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
3.   Settled in Australia: Your sponsoring child (or other individual sponsor) must be “settled” in Australia. This usually means they have been lawfully living in Australia for a reasonable period, typically at least 2 years.
4.    Age: Your sponsoring child (or other individual sponsor) must be 18 years of age or older.
5.   Provide Sponsorship: Your sponsor must formally agree to sponsor you (and your accompanying family members). This includes undertaking to provide support with accommodation and finances for the first two years you are in Australia.
6. Arrange Assurance of Support (AoS): Your sponsor will usually need to help arrange the AoS, even if they are not the assurer themselves. (For example: If the sponsor cannot act as the assurer, the Assurance of Support can be provided by another eligible Australian resident, by up to three individuals jointly who meet the requirements (often by combining their incomes), or, in certain less common situtation for parent visas, by a qualifying organisation.)
7.    Character: Your sponsor may also need to meet certain character requirements by Australian

Checklist for Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143)

(This is a general guide. The specific documents required will vary. Always refer to the document checklist provided by the Department of Home Affairs or our migration agent here when you apply.)
A. Applicant’s (Parent’s) Identity and Civil Documents:
  • Passport bio-data page (certified copy) for you and any migrating family members.
  • Recent passport-sized photographs (meeting specific requirements) for you and any migrating family members.
  • Original or certified copy of your full birth certificate showing both your parents’ names.
  • National ID card (if applicable).
  • Evidence of name change (if applicable, e.g., marriage certificate, deed poll).
  • If applicable, marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship if your partner is included in the application.
  • If widowed or divorced, relevant death or divorce certificates.
B. Relationship Documents (Parent to Sponsoring Child):
  • Certified copy of your full birth certificate showing your parents.
  • Certified copy of your sponsoring child’s full birth certificate showing you as their parent.
  • If adopted, certified copies of all adoption papers.
  • If a step-parent, documents evidencing the relationship to the step-child and, if applicable, evidence of legal responsibility.
C. Balance of Family Test Documents:
  • A list of ALL your children (biological, adopted, and relevant step-children), including their full names, dates of birth, and current country of permanent residence.
  • For each child:
    • Certified copy of their birth certificate.
    • Evidence of their Australian citizenship, permanent residency (and that they are usually resident in Australia), or eligible New Zealand citizen status (and that they are usually resident in Australia). This could include passports, citizenship certificates, or visa grant notices.
    • If a child is usually resident in Australia, proof of their residence (e.g., utility bills, employment records).
    • If any child is not to be included in the test (e.g., deceased), provide relevant evidence.
D. Sponsor’s Documents:
  • Evidence of their Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizen status (e.g., Australian birth certificate, citizenship certificate, passport, visa grant notice).
  • Evidence they are “settled” in Australia (e.g., documents showing residence in Australia for at least 2 years).
  • Proof of their current residential address in Australia.
  • Completed sponsorship form (Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia).
  • Passport-sized photograph for the sponsor.
  • Evidence of income/financial capacity (e.g., tax assessments, payslips) may be requested to show ability to meet initial sponsorship undertakings.
E. Assurance of Support (AoS) Documents:
  • These will be requested by the Department at a later stage if the visa application meets other criteria. Documents will relate to the sponsor’s financial capacity to provide support and pay the AoS bond.
F. Health Documents (Applicant and Migrating Family Members):
  • Evidence that you have made arrangements for health examinations with an approved panel physician (if offshore) or Bupa Medical Visa Services (if onshore and eligible for onshore grant). (Do not arrange these until instructed by the Department).
G. Character Documents (Applicant and Migrating Family Members 16+, and potentially Sponsor):
  • Police certificates from every country the applicant (and any migrating family members aged 16 or over) has lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
  • Australian police check if you/they have spent a cumulative total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years.
  • If applicable, military service records or discharge papers.
  • Form 80 – Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment (for applicant and migrating family members 16+).
  • The sponsor may also need to provide police certificates.
H. Documents for Accompanying Family Members (e.g., Applicant’s Partner, Dependent Children):
  • Identity documents for each family member as listed in Section A.
  • Evidence of their relationship to you (e.g., marriage certificate for partner, birth certificates for children).
  • Evidence of dependency for any dependent children (if over 18, usually must be under 23, a full-time student, and financially dependent, or over 18 with a disability and dependent).
  • If a child under 18 is migrating and only one parent (the main applicant) is applying with them, consent from the other parent or evidence of sole custody.
  • Health and character documents for each family member as required.
I. Other Forms:
  • Completed visa application form (Form 47PT Application for migration to Australia by a Contributory Parent or Contributory Aged Parent) for the main applicant and any accompanying family members.
  • Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient.
  • Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
  • Signed Australian Values Statement (for applicants 18 years or older).