Your Handbook on Subclass 173 of the Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa

Australia is the home of many migrants who have built successful life and strong family foundations. For these individuals, bringing parents to enjoy time together - and helping to increase the next generation - a deep important goal. Thankfully, many types of parent visa options are available in Australia, including the contributory parent visa 173, which offers a route for family reunion without long waiting time of standard parents visas.

In this article, we fit the subclass 173 visas, its benefits, eligibility requirements, and how it fits into a broad family migration journey.

What is the contributor parents Visa (subclass 173)?

Contributing parents (temporary) Visa subclass 173 allows the eligible parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia for two years. This visa is ideal for parents who want to spend meaningful time with their family in Australia and eventually apply for permanent residence through Subclass 143 visas.

While this visa is temporary, it provides significant flexibility and access to Australia's world-class lifestyle and services-without the extremely long processing time associated with standard parents visas (subclass 103).

Major features of the parent visa sub class 173
Stay period: up to 2 years in Australia

Work rights: You can work and earn income during your stay

Study rights: You can study, though you will not be eligible for government assistance

No access to Medicare: Private health insurance is necessary

Route for Permanent Residence: You can apply for a subclass 143 visa at any time during your 2 -year stay.

Family migration route: Great steps for parents who are not ready to apply directly to permanent residence

Why Choose the 173 Visa?

The Subclass 173 is part of the contributing parents visa stream, designed for parents who are able to pay a high visa application fee in exchange for rapid processing time.

Here’s why many families choose this route:

Low waiting time
Unlike non-odd parents' visas (eg subcutaneous 103), which may take up to 30 years, 173 visas have a very rapid processing, usually about 3 to 5 years depending on demand.

Flexibility
You can enter Australia, live temporarily, and decide later if you’d like to transition to permanent residency.

Split Costs
Since the 173 visa is a two-stage process (temporary followed by permanent via Subclass 143), families can spread out the financial burden rather than paying the full amount upfront.

Who is Eligible?

To apply for a subclass 173 visa, applicants must meet specific criteria:

1. Be Sponsored
You must be sponsored by an eligible child who is:

An Australian citizen

An Australian permanent resident

An eligible New Zealand citizen

Your child must be 18 years or older and usually "settled" in Australia, meaning they’ve lived there for at least two years.

2. Meet the Balance of Family Test
You need to show that:

At least half of your children live permanently in Australia, OR

You have more children living in Australia than in any other single country

3. Health and Character Requirements
You must:

Undergo medical checks

Provide police clearance certificates

Have no outstanding debts to the Australian government

How Much Does It Cost?
The visa involves two main payments:

First instalment (at lodgement): AUD $4,990

Second instalment (before visa grant): AUD $29,130

Total cost: Approximately AUD $34,120 per applicant
(Additional costs apply for secondary applicants, such as a spouse.)

While this is still a significant expense, it’s lower than the full amount required for the direct permanent Subclass 143 visa (around AUD $48,000+).

Application Process
Step 1: Prepare Documentation
You’ll need to provide:

Identity documents

Proof of relationship to the sponsor (your child)

Evidence your sponsor is settled in Australia

Health and character checks

Assurance of Support (may be required at 143 stage)

Step 2: Lodge Your Application
Applications can be lodged by paper form (not online). It must be sent to the Parent Visa processing centre in Australia.

Step 3: Wait for a Decision
Processing times for Subclass 173 can vary depending on the number of applications and government policy. You’ll be contacted for any additional documents or updates.

Step 4: Enter Australia

Once your visa is provided, you can enter Australia and stay up to 2 years. You can use this time for the preparation of your next phase: Applying for subclass 143 visa (permanent residence).

Infection for permanent residence: subclass 143
During your stay on a subclass 173 visa, you can apply for the contributing parents Visa subclass 143, which gives you a permanent residence.

Benefits of Subclass 143 include:

Full access to Medicare

Right to live, work and study indefinitely in Australia

Capacity to apply for Australian citizenship in future

It is important to apply for subclass 143 before the end of your 173 visa deadline to avoid leaving the country and re -starting the process.

Important idea

Private Health Insurance is essential, as you won’t be covered by Medicare on a 173 visa.

You must apply from outside Australia for the Subclass 173.

If applying for the Subclass 143 later, you can do so while in Australia.

No bridging visa is available during infection - teaming is important.

Consider working with a smooth-managed migration agent for a smooth process.

final thoughts

The contributor gives a realistic and flexible passage for the contributor parents (temporary) Visa Upclass 173 parents to live with their children in Australia. This is ideal for families who are ready for financial commitment and want to reunite soon instead of waiting for decades.