Family Visa
Family visa pathways allow eligible partners, parents, children, and fiancé(e)s of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia temporarily or permanently, depending on the visa subclass and their circumstances.
6. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 870
Why Apply for This Visa Instead of Other Parent Visas
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) is designed for parents who wish to stay in Australia for an extended period but do not intend to migrate permanently or do not wish to wait for the long processing times associated with permanent parent visas.
Compared with permanent Parent visas such as Subclass 103, 143, 804, or 864, the Subclass 870 visa usually has shorter processing times and significantly lower application costs. This visa is also suitable for those who cannot meet the Balance of Family Test.
This visa allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, and they may apply for additional visas to remain in Australia for a maximum cumulative period of up to 10 years.
However, it is important to note that this visa does not lead to permanent residency, and visa holders cannot work while in Australia.
The Subclass 870 visa is often suitable for families who want parents to spend extended time with their children in Australia without pursuing permanent migration, or while waiting for a permanent parent visa application to be processed.
Sponsor Requirements
To sponsor a parent for the Subclass 870 visa, the sponsor must:
•Be the child of the visa applicant (or the child’s partner)
•Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
•Usually have been resident in Australia for at least 4 years
•Be 18 years of age or older
•Be approved as a Parent Sponsor before the visa application is lodged
•Meet the minimum income requirement, which must be at least AUD 83,454.80 for the most recent taxable income year
•Agree to provide financial support and accommodation for the parent while they stay in Australia
•Agree to repay any outstanding public health debts incurred by the parent during their stay
Applicant Requirements
To be eligible for the Subclass 870 visa, the applicant must:
•Be the biological parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, or parent-in-law of the approved sponsor
•Be 18 years of age or older
•Have an approved Parent Sponsor before lodging the visa application
•Meet health and character requirements
•Have adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia
•Have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during the visit
•Have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily
•Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or have arranged repayment
•Comply with all previous visa conditions if they have previously visited Australia
There is no permanent pathway for this temporary parent visa Subclass 870.