Contributory Parent Visa – Subclass 173

The Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173) is a temporary two-year visa for the parent, step-parent or parent-in-law of an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Think of it as the temporary first step of the contributory pathway, sitting alongside the permanent subclass 143.

Who Can Apply

You'll generally need to:

• be the parent, step-parent or parent-in-law of an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
• be at least 18 years of age;
• have an approved sponsor, usually your child or another eligible relative;
• satisfy the Balance of Family test (this applies to all parent visas other than the subclass 870); and
• have no relevant unresolved visa refusals or cancellations.

What the Visa Allows

During its two-year validity, the subclass 173 generally lets you:

• live in Australia temporarily;
• work and study, without needing to rely on government support; and
• enrol in Medicare;

and it can include eligible family unit members in the application.

Where It Leads

The subclass 173 is generally a stepping stone — most people who hold it go on to apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) before their temporary visa expires. Compared with paying for the 143 outright, this route can spread out the total cost, but it does mean an extra application down the line and it's worth planning that transition early rather than leaving it until your 173 is close to expiring.

Costs

The 173 is described by the Department as involving faster processing than non-contributory parent visas in exchange for a higher application charge — broadly the same trade-off as the 143, spread across two applications instead of one. It's worth getting an up-to-date, itemised cost comparison between the 173-then-143 route and applying for the 143 directly before deciding which suits your family.

How I Can Help

I can assist with:

• assessing your eligibility, including the Balance of Family test;
• comparing the 173-then-143 route against applying for the 143 directly;
• preparing sponsorship and financial evidence; and
• preparing and lodging your paper application, and later your follow-on 143 application.

Important Information

The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute migration advice for your individual circumstances.

Visa requirements and application charges can change. Meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee that a visa application will be approved.

Professional advice should be obtained based on your individual circumstances before lodging an application.