Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa for Applicants
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Overview
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About this visa
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Eligibility
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Step by step
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When you have this visa
Stay
2 years
Cost
AUD32,340
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
For more information, see Parent visa queue.
With this visa you can
- live in Australia for up to 2 years
- work and study in Australia (you will not receive government support)
- apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) visa
See all conditions
Check your eligibility
You must
- 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
- meet all visa conditions and follow Australian law
- not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on who can help with your visa application.
With this visa you can
- live in Australia for up to 2 years
- work and study in Australia (you will not receive government support)
- enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- apply for a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
Apply for a Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa
You can spread the cost of the permanent visa over a number of years by applying in 2 steps:
- first, apply for the temporary Contributory Parent (Temporary) (subclass 173) visa, then
- apply for the permanent Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa
How long you can stay
This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 2 years.
The visa period starts on the date you enter Australia after you are granted the visa.
The visa is granted with multiple entry. You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want within two years.
Stay longer
You can't stay in Australia longer by extending or reapplying for this visa. You can apply for a different visa.
Explore your visa options.
Include family
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.
You will be required to include details of all your family members, whether they are migrating or not, when you fill out the application form.
If you have a partner, include their details in your application even if they are not applying for the visa with you.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet our health and character requirements. Family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health and character requirements.
Newborn child
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Cost
This visa costs AUD32,340. There is an additional charge for each family member who applies with you.
You pay for this visa in 2 parts called instalments.
Pay the first instalment when you apply. Pay the second instalment when we ask you to. See more about visa fees and charges.
You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.
Apply from
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa.
If you apply in Australia, any family members who apply with you must also be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply. If you apply outside Australia, any family members who apply with you must also be outside Australia when you apply.
If you apply for this visa in Australia while on a temporary visa with a no further stay condition, your application will be invalid, unless you apply for a waiver of this condition.
Processing times
The demand for these visas is greater than the number of places available each year. As a result, processing times for these applications can be lengthy.
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Your application might take longer to process if:
- you do not fill it in correctly
- you do not include all of the documents we need or we need more information from you and/or
- your information takes a long time to verify.
We cannot process your application if you do not pay the correct visa application charge. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application.
The Reports on Migration Programs have further information on Migration Program outcomes against planning for each migration program year.
Applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing.
Learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities.
Assessment
We assess applications for this visa in 2 stages:
- Check eligibility and either add the application to the queue or refuse it.
- Continue assessing the application when a place becomes available and make a decision.
Do not arrange to stay permanently in Australia until your visa is granted. We will let you know in writing if we grant you the visa.
Learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities.
Consider another visa
Other Parent visas available are:
- Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143). This is a permanent visa and costs more
- Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173), then a permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143). This is a 2-step visa process and costs more than the subclass 103 visa. It also costs more than applying directly for the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143), but the cost is spread across the 2 visas over a longer period and
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870). This is a temporary visa allowing parents to visit their children in Australia for up to three or five years at a time and a cumulative maximum 10 year period.
You can view all visa options on our Visa list page.
Assessment
We assess applications for this visa in 2 stages.
- Check eligibility and either add the application to the queue or refuse it.
- Continue assessing the application when a place becomes available and make a decision.
Don't arrange to move to Australia until we grant the visa. We will let you know in writing if we grant you the visa.
Learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities.
Your obligations
You must enter Australia before the date specified in your grant letter. The first entry date is generally set at 12 months from the date of visa grant.
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
See what conditions might be attached to this visa on our visa conditions page.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Not have this visa
You cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Have a sponsor
You must be sponsored for this visa.
Usually you would be sponsored by an eligible child. If your child is under 18, you can be sponsored by an eligible relative or community organisation.
We must approve the sponsorship.
Meet the balance-of-family test
You must meet the balance-of-family test. You meet the balance of family test if:
- at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
- there are more eligible children living in Australia than any other single country
See examples of how the balance-of-family test is applied.
Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
We might also ask that other non-migrating family members meet the requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
We might also ask that other family members meet the requirement.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or have an approved arrangement in place to pay it back.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia, see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Sign the Australian Values Statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must:
- have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia book
- sign the Australian Values Statement to confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Step 1
Before you apply
Check your passport. If you need help with your application, get someone to act on your behalf.
Check your passport
You and anyone who applies with you must have valid passports before we grant the visa.
We will only grant the visa if you have a valid passport.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
- a registered migration agent
- a legal practitioner, or
- an exempt person.
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
Step 2
Gather your documents
Gather all your documents, including for any partner or dependants who might be applying with you. You will also need your sponsor documents.
Provide accurate documents
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Identity documents
We need proof of your identity. If you cannot prove your identity:
- we will refuse your visa application
- we might not grant you another visa for 10 years
- we might not grant any family members you listed on your application a visa for 10 years
Provide the pages of your passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by
Sponsor documents
Your application must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor.
Your sponsor must complete Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia.
Balance-of-family documents
Show us that you meet the balance-of-family test by giving us:
- evidence of how you are related to each child
- evidence of each child's country of permanent residence
- evidence that your child should not be included in the balance-of-family test (for example, their death certificate)
Character documents
We might ask you for character documents, including police certificates. Don't arrange a police check until we ask you to.
Learn more about police certificates.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Send written notification or your forms with your paper application.
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- proof of your relationship with them, like a birth or marriage certificate
- character documents, if applicable
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to visit Australia on this visa
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents if applicable
Dependants over 18 documents
To include your child who is over 18 years age in your visa application, they must be:
- under 18 years, or
- over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 years of age, unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner
For every dependant 18 years old or older who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
- proof of dependency
If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.
Provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
Proof of dependency
You need to prove that this person is dependent on you. Provide:
- a completed Form 47a - Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over
- proof of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:
- proof they live with you
- their tax records
- proof they are currently studying
Partner documents
For partners, provide identity and relationship documents.
Provide:
- identity documents
- character documents
- documents about other relationships, if applicable
Provide either:
- your current marriage certificate or
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply
Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show you have lived at the same address as your partner
Photographs
Provide 4 recent photos (45mm x 35mm) of anyone included in the application.
Photographs must be:
- 45mm x 35mm
- less than 6 months old
- good quality colour. We don't accept laser copies
- a full-face view of your head and shoulders
- taken against a plain light-coloured background
You can wear untinted prescription glasses. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, you can show only your face.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original copies and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia should be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Certify
Do not certify police certificates. You need to send us the originals.
Have all other documents certified copy. This includes:
- non-English documents
- English translations
Keep
Keep a copy of your completed application.
Send
Send us:
- original police certificates
- certified copies of all other documents
- as much relevant information as possible to help us make a decision on your application
- each document only once, even if you are using to show more than one thing
- all documents with your application, if you can
Step 3
Apply for the visa
You must apply for this visa on paper. You can apply from in, (but not in immigration clearance) or outside Australia when you submit your application.
Learn more about where you can be when we make a decision on your application by reading the “Visa Outcome” section on this web page. (Below)
You cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Apply on paper
Complete Form 47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia.
Your sponsor must also complete:
Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia.
Complete the form in English.
You must pay the first instalment when you apply. For payment options see how to pay.
You can't submit applications for this visa in person. Send your application by post or courier to the Parent Visa Processing Centre in Perth at the address on the form. Include all required documents, forms and evidence of payment of application charge with your application.
If any of the above steps are incomplete, your application may be invalid. We do not process invalid applications. We will notify you if this is the case, and if requested, return your application.
Do not send original documents with your application, only send certified copies. Keep a copy of your completed application for your own records, including any supporting documents.
If you have an existing Parent visa application
If you have applied for a different Parent visa but we have not made a decision on that application, you must withdraw that application at the same time that you apply for this visa.
Also complete Part B of Form 47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia.
Step 4
After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application and documents. There may be other things you need to know and might have to do.
Status updates
We can't provide updates on your application's progress within normal processing times. We will let you know if you need to provide anything further.
Learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities.
Travel
Do not arrange to travel to Australia until we let you know, in writing, that we have granted you the visa.
Health exams
We will let you know if you need health examinations
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Send more information
Send any documents you did not provide with your application to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth.
We might also ask you to provide more information.
Pay the second instalment
You must pay the second instalment before we will grant the visa. We will send you an invoice when it is due. If you do not pay the invoice, we will refuse your application.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Send written notification or your forms to the office your submitted your application.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your relationship status
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
Stay lawful
If your current temporary visa is about to expire, you should make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
Add family members
You might be able to add family members to your application before we make a decision.
Complete and send us Form 1436 Adding an additional applicant after lodgement.
You will also need to provide evidence of your relationship and the family member’s passport.
If you applied in Australia, any family member you add to your application must also be in Australia when you add them. If you applied outside Australia, any family members you add to your application must also be outside Australia when you add them.
Newborn child
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Step 5
Visa outcome
You must be outside Australia when we make a decision on your application.
We will let you know our decision in writing.
If we grant you the visa, we will let you know:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions.
We recommend you keep a copy of our decision.
If we refuse your visa we will let you know in writing. We will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
We will not refund the application fee if we refuse your application.
Coming to Australia
Before you travel
Check your travel documents
You must have:
- a valid visa to enter Australia
- a valid passport or other travel document.
Arrive before first entry arrival date
You must enter Australia before the date specified in your grant letter.
If your visa is still valid and the date specified in your visa grant letter has passed or will pass before you can travel to Australia, you must ensure that:
- you plan to travel to Australia within the next 12 months
- you submit the travel facilitation letter request form.
We may then send you a travel facilitation letter. This will state that we allow you to enter Australia after the first entry arrival date on your visa.
We will not issue a travel facilitation letter unless there is less than 3 months remaining on your first entry arrival date.
At the border
Complete an Incoming Passenger Card
All people arriving into Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card.
Use the SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
In Australia
What you must do when you have this visa
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
You can check visa details and conditions in VEVO.
Tell us if things change
Things you might need to let us know about include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your relationship status
- the birth of a child
See how to let us know if there is a change in your situation.
What you can do on your visa
Check your visa conditions and expiry
See your visa expiry, conditions and work and study entitlements in VEVO.
See how long you can stay
You can stay in Australia for 2 years.
To see when you must leave, use VEVO.
Staying longer
If you want to stay in Australia permanently, you can apply for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) before your subclass 173 visa expires. In exceptional circumstances we might allow you to apply for the subclass 143 visa after this. Contact the Parent Visa Centre at the Perth office in Western Australia at the address on the application form or by email.
Travelling on your visa
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while this visa is valid.
See your visa conditions.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
You can request your international movement records by completing Form 1359 - Request for international movement records.
Working
This visa enables you to work in Australia. You are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.
At the border
Departures SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
