Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173) is a popular pathway for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia for up to two years. Unlike the permanent subclass 143, this visa allows families to split the substantial "contributory" costs over two stages, making the transition to permanent residency more financially manageable.
Visa Overview
The Subclass 173 is a temporary visa that cannot be extended or renewed. It serves as the first step of a two-stage process. Before the two-year period expires, holders typically apply for the Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 143) to remain in Australia indefinitely.
Key Benefits
- Residency: Live in Australia for up to two years.
- Work & Study: Full rights to work and study in Australia (without government support).
- Medicare: Access to Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Travel: Multiple entry rights to travel to and from Australia.
- Pathway: A direct route to permanent residency via the Subclass 143 visa.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Subclass 173 visa in 2026, applicants must meet the following Department of Home Affairs requirements:
- Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. If the child is under 18, a relative or community organisation may act as a sponsor.
- Balance of Family Test: At least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, or more of your children must live permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): While a formal AoS bond is usually required for the permanent stage (143), you must still demonstrate the ability to support yourself.
- Health and Character: All applicants must meet strict health and character standards. This includes medical examinations and providing police clearances from every country lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.
2026 Fee Structure
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has updated the Base Application Charge and contributory installments for the 2026 program year. Fees are paid in two parts:
| Fee Category | Amount (AUD) |
| First Instalment: Base Application Charge | $3,395 |
| Additional Applicant (18 and over) | $1,700 |
| Additional Applicant (under 18) | $855 |
| Second Instalment (Per Applicant) | $29,130 |
Note: The second instalment is only requested shortly before the visa is granted. All fees must be paid via ImmiAccount or an authorised payment method.
Processing Times and Benchmarks
Parent visas are subject to "capping and queuing" due to the limited number of places allocated in the annual Migration Program. As of April 2026, the following benchmarks apply:
- 50% of Applications: Not published (Capped and Queued).
- 90% of Applications: Not published (Capped and Queued).
- Current Queue Release Date: The Department is currently releasing applications for final assessment that were lodged/queued up to November 2018.
- Estimated Wait Time: New applications lodged in 2026 face an estimated processing timeframe of 15 years.
Application Steps
- Preparation: Gather identity documents, sponsorship forms, and Balance of Family evidence.
- Lodgement: Submit the paper-based application to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth.
- First Instalment: Pay the base application charge to initiate processing.
- Queue Placement: Once initial criteria are met, the application is placed in the global queue.
- Final Assessment: When a place becomes available, the Department requests health/character checks and the Second Instalment.
- Visa Grant: Upon payment of the contributory fee, the temporary visa is granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include my partner in the application? Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children or family members when you lodge your application. They must also meet the health and character requirements.
Can I apply for this visa while I am in Australia? You can be in or outside Australia when you lodge the application. However, if you are in Australia, you must not have a "No Further Stay" condition (such as 8503) on your current visa unless a waiver is granted.
Does this visa lead directly to Citizenship? The 173 is a temporary visa. To become an Australian citizen, you must first transition to a permanent visa (Subclass 143) and then meet the standard residency requirements for citizenship.
Is there a "Mobile" app for tracking my application? While there is no dedicated mobile app, you can track your application status and update your contact details (including Mobile numbers) through the official ImmiAccount portal on any smartphone browser.
