A significant step for most families in Australia is the ability to bring their parents over here. The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173) is a short-term yet helpful alternative in the Parent Visa Australia category and allows both parties to reunite for up to 2 years. This visa category is beneficial for families who wish to initiate their reunification process sooner rather than later but do not wish to make the financial commitment to a permanent visa at this point (eg. Subclass 143). Therefore, Subclass 173 provides parents with an opportunity to live in Australia and provides them with flexibility, comfort and time to develop a longer-term pathway towards permanent residency.
What Is the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173)?
The Parent Visa Subclass 173 is a temporary contributory visa that allows eligible parents to live in Australia for two years. One of the biggest advantages of this visa is that parents can enjoy most benefits similar to permanent residents during their stay, such as the ability to work, study, and access Medicare once enrolled.
While it does not grant permanent residency on its own, it plays an important role as a first step toward it. Many families apply for Subclass 143 during the two-year validity of the 173 visa, meaning they can spread out the financial commitments and manage the process at a comfortable pace.
Costs of the Subclass 173 Visa
To properly plan for processing a visa and understand the costs associated with that visa. The Subclass 173 visa’s Government fees are split into two payments. The first payment is made at the time of applying for the visa, and the second payment must be made prior to the approval of the visa. Therefore, having the ability to split the payments provides many families with more manageable payments for their visa than if they were to pay for a permanent resident visa.
In addition to the visa fee, families also have to take into account other costs associated with the visa. Medical exam, police clearance certificate, biometrics (if required), and translations of foreign language documents. If you work with an agency or the best migration agent in Adelaide, the fee associated with their services is also included in your overall budget.
As this visa is a contributory visa, the fees are higher than the non-contributory parent visas, but you are able to obtain the visa quickly than you would if you applied for a non-contributory parent visa.
Eligibility Requirements for Subclass 173
To apply for this visa, both the parent and the sponsoring child must meet specific requirements.
Parent Requirements
The parent must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of an eligible sponsor. They must also meet the Balance of Family Test, which examines how many of the parents’ children live permanently in Australia compared to other countries. Passing this test is crucial, as it demonstrates strong family ties within Australia.
Health and character requirements also apply. Medical examinations ensure that the applicant does not have conditions that would cause undue strain on Australia’s healthcare system. Police certificates are needed to prove good character.
Sponsor Requirements
To sponsor someone, a child must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible citizen of New Zealand. The child must have also resided in Australia for at least 18 years (the age necessary to support a parent), and be established in Australia. A proper establishment would mean the child has resided continuously in Australia for a certain amount of time and has developed some degree of stability and connections with the country.
Sponsoring a child also means that they must be willing to support, provide accommodation, and provide financial assistance to their sponsoring parent while in Australia.
Understanding the Balance of Family Test
The Balance of Family Test determines whether the parent has more children living in Australia than in any other single country, or at least half of their total children living permanently in Australia.
This test is non-negotiable. Even if you meet all other criteria perfectly, failing the Balance of Family Test means you cannot apply for Subclass 173. For many families, this requirement is the deciding factor in choosing which visa pathway to pursue.
Application Process for Subclass 173
In order to process the visa application, the first step is collecting your important documents such as Identity Documents, Proof of Relationship – Parent to Child, Sponsor Documents and Evidence of Child’s Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency. When you have collected all your required documents, applicants will complete and submit the visa form online with the first instalment of payment.
After submission, the Department of Home Affairs may ask for additional documents/information/request further medical checks, whether through the use of the Biometrics Program. This stage of processing can often take time, depending on how quickly the applicant can provide the required documents and how quickly they can satisfy any offers for additional documentation. Finally, when all is complete, an applicant will make their second instalment payment and receive their Temporary Visa valid for two years.
As the Temporary Visa expires, families who intend to make an application for permanent residency must lodge a Subclass 143 application before the expiration of the Temporary Visa. This transition is a relatively common practice that enables parents to remain in Australia throughout the duration of processing their application for Permanent Residency.
Useful Tips for a Smoother Application
One of the most important tips is to provide complete and accurate documentation from the beginning. Missing papers and incorrect details are the most common reasons for delays. Ensuring that all names, dates of birth, and relationship details match across all documents helps avoid confusion during assessment.
Preparing early for health and character checks helps, since arranging them can take time, especially when obtaining documents from overseas authorities. Another useful strategy is to keep copies of all communication and files submitted, as these records are helpful when applying for Subclass 143 later.
Many families choose to work with an experienced consultant or the best migration agent adelaide, especially if their case involves multiple children living in different countries, documents requiring translation, or previous visa refusals. Professional guidance ensures every detail is reviewed carefully and increases the chances of a smooth outcome.
Common Mistakes You Should Avoid
A common error among some applicants is a misunderstanding of the requirements of the Balance of Family Test. Some believe that having just one child in Australia meets the requirements. However, the rules surrounding the Balance of Family Test are very specific. Many applicants also make the mistake of providing conflicting or incomplete information, which could delay or result in a negative outcome regarding their application.
Most applicants underestimate how much their financial burden will be. In addition to the visa application fee, there are additional costs such as a medical examination, translation of documents, biometrics, and future costs relating to a Subclass 143. Failure to plan financially for these items will result in unnecessary stress later on in the process.
Many applicants delay applying for a Permanent Visa after receiving a Subclass 173 Visa, which only lasts two years, so they must plan their application strategically.
Conclusion
The Parent Visa Subclass 173 is an excellent option for Families to bring their parents to Australia, while giving parents a choice on when they want to move with them, and also giving them the option of continued flexibility in how much they want to spend on this transition to Permanent Residency. Quickly streamlining processing times will allow families to transition and/or reunite with Australia sooner than would normally take place through this program, and this particular Parent Visa has a clearer pathway to ongoing permanent residency available for families who do not want to undertake this process alone or without the assistance of a Professional Migration Agent based in Adelaide.