CONTRIBUTORY PARENT (TEMPORARY) VISA (Subclass 173): EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!

The purpose of the 173 - Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa is to allow the parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to reside in Australia for up to two years. Contributory Parent visa applicants pay an additional charge to the Australian Government, in exchange for faster visa processing. The minimum requirements for this visa are as follows:

CONTRIBUTORY PARENT (TEMPORARY) VISA REQUIREMENTS

Applicant:

As an applicant, you must:

•Have a child who is an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen (see below).

• Meet the ‘balance of family’ test. This requires that at least half of your children reside in Australia, or that more of your children reside in Australia than in any other single country.

Note: You are not required to meet this test if you hold an eligible subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa.

• Pay an additional (‘contributory’) charge to the Australian Government immediately prior to the grant of your visa.

Australian Child:

Your Australian Child must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

• Be settled in Australia (generally this means that your child must have resided in Australia for at least two years).

• Be at least 18 years old, and willing to sponsor your application.

Note: You may instead be sponsored by your child’s spouse or de facto partner, provided that this person meets the above requirements. Alternatively, if your child is under 18, you may in some circumstances be sponsored by a relative or guardian of your child, or by a community organisation.

• Undertake to provide you with any necessary financial and accommodation support for the first two years after your arrival in Australia.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Your Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs (the DOHA) on your behalf. The main criterion is that you and your Australian child meet the requirements referred to above, including the balance of family test. In addition, you must meet the standard health and character checks.

When the DOHA is ready to approve your application and grant your visa, you will be asked to pay your second ‘contributory’ charge. You must be outside Australia at the time your visa is granted. This visa is valid for two years.

Next Steps

You may apply for further Contributory Parent (Temporary) visas, provided you continue to meet the relevant requirements. Alternatively, if eligible you may go on to apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa.

PLEASE NOTE: We estimate that it may take several weeks to prepare and lodge your application, with the time taken largely dependent on how promptly you (and your sponsor, if applicable) provide us with the necessary supporting information and documents.

The time that it takes the DOHA to process your application is dependent upon its processing time service standards, and may also vary due to a number of other factors, including the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors and processing priorities. Please contact us for current information regarding likely processing timeframes for this type of application.

This Dojo Legal Article contains general information only. We strongly recommend that you seek specific guidance from us that is relevant to your circumstances before taking any further action. 

Do you have additional questions regarding Parent Visas? Please feel free to contact us by email at support@dojolegal.com.au.

This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult us here for up to date information.

THANK YOU!

• Dojo Legal Australia.