What is the contributory parent (temporary) visa (subclass 173)?
The Contributory Parent (temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) is designed for applicants who have children living in Australia as a permanent resident or Australian citizen. This visa is temporary and allows you to be onshore for two years while you apply for a Contributory Parent (permanent) Visa (subclass 143).
What can you do on the 173 visa?
- Stay in Australia for 2 years
- Find employment
- Study in Australia (at your own expense)
- Apply for the Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa (subclass 143)
- Travel to and from Australia as much as you want in the 2-year duration
- Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme (medicare)
Note: The Australian government will not compensate or loan any expense for education or work.
If you are working you are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
What is the eligibility for the 173 visa?
- Be the parent of a settled Australian citizen, Permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Settled means a person has lived in Australia for a reasonable period which in most circumstances under DOHA policy is 2 years
- Not have applied for or currently hold a sponsored parent (temporary) (subclass 870) visa
- Meet health and character requirements
- Meet the balance of family test
- You must be sponsored by an eligible person (usually your child)
- Must have Assurance of Support
What is the balance of family test?
In order to apply for this visa, the applicant must meet the requirements of the “balance of family test (BFT)” this assesses that the applicant/s must have at least half of their children living in Australia, settled as an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or that majority of your children live in Australia than any other country. This includes stepchildren and adopted children of both parents.
What is assurance of support?
An Assurance of Support is essentially a bond with the department of human services. It is an additional cost paid by the sponsor at the time of decision, for two applicants the bond is an estimated cost of $14,000, however, the assurer’s taxable income needs to be assessed. This is amount is an agreement that financial support will be provided to the applicant/s to settle down in Australia and in circumstances of financial hardship so that there isn’t a dependency on government income (Centrelink).
This amount is paid to the department of human services and is an agreement to re-pay the department for any income support provided. The amount is repaid (minus debt to the Australian government) two years after The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) is granted.
The assurer must:
- Give sufficient support so thatthe primary applicant or any accompanying family do not have to rely on any government support
- Pay a security bond before the visa isgranted
How much does the 173 visa cost?
From AUD 32,430 （Update date：2024.07）
How long does the 173 visa last?
This is a temporary visa; with this visa you can remain in Australia for 2 years.
What is the processing time of the 173 visa?
As at 31 October 2024, DHA has released the following applications for final processing:
- Contributory Parent visa applications with a queue date up to October 2017
- Parent visa applications with a queue date up to September 2012
- Aged Parent visa applications with a queue date up to January 2013.
What are my obligations if I’m granted the 173 visa?
- You must obey all Australian laws
- Inform the department if anything changes. This includes changes to the relationship status, the birth of a child and any changes to personal details such as phone number, email address or passport
- You cannot stay past the expiration of this visa so ensure you have applied for the 143 permanent visa before the expiration of your 173 visa
