Subclass 173 Parent Visa Australia 2025
Introduction
The Subclass 173 Contributing Parent (Temporary) visa is a special route for parents who wish to join their children in Australia. This visa allows parents of Australian citizens, residents, or parents of New Zealand citizens to live in Australia for two years. It is designed to help families stay together while working for permanent stays. The best part? This visa gives you time to prepare yourself financially for permanent original visas without heavy advance costs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Not meeting the Balance of Family Test requirements
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Using expired documents
- Not declaring all family members correctly
Overview of Subclass 173
What is the Subclass 173 Parent Visa?
The Subclass 173 is a temporary family visa that allows parents to live in Australia for up to two years. It’s part of the contributory parent visa program, which means you pay higher fees but get faster processing than non-contributory options like the Parent Visa Subclass 103.
Purpose and Benefits
This visa was created to help families reunite faster than waiting for the Parent Visa subclass 103, which can take decades. The Subclass 173 gives you several important benefits:
- Temporary residence for two years in Australia
- Work and study rights during your stay
- Multiple entry permission to travel in and out of Australia
- Pathway to permanent residency through theSubclass 143 visa
- Spread out costs instead of paying everything upfront
This visa is perfect for parents who want to be with their children in Australia but need time to save for the full permanent visa costs.
Eligibility Requirements
Basic Criteria
- Age requirements:
- No specific age limit, but you must be the parent of your sponsor
- Nationality Requirements:
- You can be from any country
- Your sponsoring child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Health and Character Requirements:
- Pass medical examinations
- Provide police clearance certificates from all countries you’ve lived in for 12+ months
- Meet Australia’s character requirements
Specific Requirements
- Sponsorship Details:
- Your child must sponsor you and be settled in Australia
- Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- The sponsor must have no outstanding debts to the Australian government
- Financial Requirements:
- You must prove you’re the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of your sponsor
- Meet the “Balance of Family Test” – at least half your children must live in Australia, or more children must live in Australia than in any other country
- Financial Criteria:
- Your sponsor must provide an Assurance of Support (AoS) when you apply for the permanent visa
- You’ll need to pay the contributory visa fees (around $32,340 for the temporary visa)
Application Process
Step-by-Step Overview
1
Preparation Phase
Start gathering all required documents. This includes identity papers, health checks, and family relationship proof. Make sure your sponsor has all their documents ready, too.
2
Online Application
Submit your application through ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. You’ll need to create an account and fill out Form 47PA.
3
Pay Application Fees:
Pay the base application charge ($3,210) and the second instalment ($29,130). The total cost is around $32,340 per person.
4
Health Examinations:
Complete required medical checks with approved doctors. You’ll get instructions after submitting your application.
5
Wait for Processing
Current processing times are 36-38 months for 75-90% of applications. Some cases may take up to 4 years.
6
Decision
Once approved, you’ll receive your visa grant letter with your visa conditions and entry date.
Key Tips for Success
Best Time to Apply
- Apply early – processing times are long, so start as soon as possible
- Double-check documents – missing papers cause delays
- Keep copies of everything you submit
Required Documents
Essential Documents:
- Identity and Travel Documents:
- Current passport with at least 6 months’ validity
- A birth certificate showing your parents’ names
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
- Character Documents:
- Police clearance certificates from all countries where you lived for 12+ months since age 16
- Military service records (if applicable)
Subclass-Specific Documents:
- Family Relationship Proof:
- Your child’s birth certificate shows you as the parent
- Adoption papers (if applicable)
- Evidence of an ongoing relationship with your sponsor
- Financial Support Documents:
- Evidence that you can support yourself during your stay
- Bank statements and income proof
- Assurance of Support documentation (required for permanent visa stage)
- Health Documentation:
- Medical examination results from approved doctors
- Chest X-rays and blood tests as required
Processing Time & Costs
Application Fee Structure
Base application charge
$3,210
Second instalment
$29,130
Total per person
$32,340
Additional Costs
Health examinations
$300-500 per person
Police clearances
$50-200 per country
Document translations
$50-100 per document
Migration agent fees
$3,000-8,000 (optional)
Processing Times
Current processing times for parent visa applications:
75% processed within
36 months
90% processed within
38 months
Some applications take
Up to 4 years
The long wait times are due to high demand and annual visa limits. In 2024-25, only 144 visas of Subclass 173 were granted compared to 5,600 permanent parent visas.
key Tips for fast processing:
- Submit complete applications with all required documents
- Respond quickly to any requests from immigration
- Use authorised migration agents for complex cases
- Keep your contact details updated
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The Subclass 173 is your stepping stone to permanent residency in Australia. Before your temporary visa expires, you must:
Apply for Subclass 173
(Contributory Parent Permanent visa)
Pay additional fees
Provide new Assurance of Support
Pass health and character checks again
This two-step process helps spread the total cost of around $51,760 over several years instead of paying everything upfront.
Comparison with Other Parent Visas
Contributory Parent Visas: Temporary vs Permanent
| Feature | Subclass 173 (Temporary) | Subclass 143 (Permanent) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost | $32,340 (then $19,420 for permanent) | $47,755 (all upfront) |
| Processing Time | 36-38 months | 36-38 months |
| Stay Duration | 2 years (then apply for permanent) | Permanent from day one |
| Payment Structure | Split payments over time | Full payment upfront |
Subclass 173 vs Other Parent Visas
Subclass 103 (Non-contributory):
- Much cheaper
- Processing time: 20-30 years
- Permanent visa from the start
- Very limited annual places
Subclass-Specific Documents:
- Higher cost
- Processing time 3-4 years
- Temporary first, then permanent
- More annual places are available
Subclass 173 vs Subclass 870
Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent Temporary):
- Longer temporary stay (3-5 years)
- No pathway to permanent residency
- Lower cost
- Cannot hold both visas
Choose Subclass 173 if permanent residency is your goal. Choose Subclass 870 for longer temporary stays without permanent plans.
Benefits for Your Family
The Subclass 173 parent visa brings many benefits:
For Parents:
- Live with your children and grandchildren in Australia
- Work and earn money during your stay
- Access to some healthcare services
- Freedom to travel in and out of Australia
- Pathway to permanent residency
For Families:
- Keep families together across generations
- Grandparents can help with childcare
- Cultural knowledge passes to new generations
- Emotional support for all family members
Next Steps
The Subclass 173 parent visa provides a valuable opportunity to reunite with the family in Australia, and constructs a 173 overall visa for permanent residence. Although the costs are important and the processing time is long, it allows parents to be permanently involved in their children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen can sponsor you. They must be settled in Australia and meet the balance of family test requirements.
If refused, you can apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review within 28 days. You might also be able to apply again if you can fix the refusal reasons.
Yes, you can include your spouse or de facto partner in the same application. Each person pays separate visa fees, but you submit one application together.
Yes, you have full work rights in Australia. You can work for any employer in any job without restrictions during your two-year stay.
Yes, the Subclass 173 is designed as a pathway to permanent residency. You must apply for the Subclass 143 permanent visa before your temporary visa expires.
Ready to start your parent visa journey?
Contact the SBS Consultant and our experienced migration team for personalised guidance. We’ll help you understand your options, prepare your application, and navigate the complex process from start to finish.
Don’t wait – processing times are long, so beginning early gives you the best chance of success.