Australian Immigration Article

For many Australian citizens and residents, having parents live on the other side of the world means missing out on the small, priceless moments, watching grandchildren grow up, celebrating holidays together, or simply having them close for support. While permanent parent visas exist, they often involve long waiting periods and strict requirements that not every family can meet. This is where a different kind of pathway can be invaluable.

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) offers a unique solution. It’s designed to allow parents to stay in Australia for a much longer, continuous period than a standard visitor visa would permit, reuniting families for a significant chapter of their lives. Navigating this visa involves understanding a two-step process and specific obligations for both the parent and the sponsoring child. This guide is designed to walk you through the landscape of the Subclass 870 visa, providing a comprehensive overview of the process, requirements, and costs to help you understand this pathway to bringing your parents closer.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Australian immigration law is intricate and subject to change. For advice tailored to your personal circumstances, you should consult with an experienced Australian immigration lawyer.

What is the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)?

The Subclass 870 visa is a temporary visa that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to visit and stay in Australia for a period of up to three or five years at a time. It can be renewed from outside Australia, allowing for a total cumulative stay of up to 10 years.

Its primary purpose is to facilitate longer family reunions without the complexities and long queues associated with permanent parent visas.

Key Advantages of the Subclass 870 Visa:

• No Balance of Family Test: Unlike most permanent parent visas, this visa does not require applicants to have at least half of their children living in Australia. This opens the door for many families who are otherwise ineligible for permanent options.
• Longer Stays: It provides a much longer continuous stay than a visitor visa, allowing parents to truly settle in and be a part of their family’s daily life.

It is important to remember that this is a temporary visa. It does not lead to permanent residency and does not provide access to Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare.

The Two-Step Application Process

Applying for the Subclass 870 visa is a two-part journey. The child in Australia must first become an approved sponsor before the parent can apply for the visa itself.

Step 1: Apply to be a Parent Sponsor

Before your parent can apply for the visa, you (the child) must apply to the Department of Home Affairs to become an approved Parent Sponsor. This involves a separate application and fee. To be approved, you must:

• Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have lived in Australia for at least 4 years.
• Meet a specific income test, demonstrating you can financially support your parents.
• Meet character requirements and have no outstanding public health or Commonwealth debts.

Only once your sponsorship application is approved can your parent proceed to the next step.

Step 2: The Parent Lodges the Visa Application

After you have been approved as a sponsor, your parent can then lodge their Subclass 870 visa application. This is where they will need to demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the visa itself.

Key Eligibility Criteria

A successful application rests on meeting the requirements for both the sponsor and the parent applicant.

For the Parent (The Applicant):

• Relationship: Must be the biological parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent of the sponsor.
• Sponsorship: Must have an approved Parent Sponsor before they can lodge their application.
• Location: The visa application must generally be lodged while the parent is outside of Australia.
• Health and Character: The parent must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
• No Outstanding Debts: They must have no outstanding public health debts in Australia.
• Health Insurance: The parent must have and maintain adequate private health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Australia. This is a mandatory condition of the visa.
• Intention to Stay Temporarily: They must genuinely intend to stay in Australia only temporarily.

Visa Duration, Conditions and Costs

Visa Grant Period:

When applying, your parent can choose a visa period of either:

• Three years
• Five years

The Visa Application Charge (VAC) is different for each period. A person can hold Subclass 870 visas for a total cumulative period of up to 10 years. After reaching this limit, they must depart Australia and cannot apply for this visa again.

Key Visa Conditions:

• No Work: This is a strict condition. Parents on this visa are not permitted to work in Australia.
• Must Maintain Health Insurance: Continuous private health insurance from an Australian provider is mandatory.

Application Costs:

• Sponsorship Application Fee: A fee is payable when you apply to become a sponsor.
• Visa Application Charge (VAC): A much larger fee is payable when your parent lodges their visa application. As of mid-2025, the fee is over $6,000 AUD for a 3-year visa and over $12,000 AUD for a 5-year visa. These fees are subject to change.
• Other Costs: Factor in costs for health insurance, medicals, and police checks.

Case Study: Bringing Grandparents Closer to Their Family

(Creating memories that span generations. The Sponsored Parent Visa 870 is designed to make moments like this possible, offering parents a way to stay in Australia for longer periods to be part of their children’s and grandchildren’s lives.)

Let’s consider a practical scenario.

• The Situation: Michael, an Australian citizen, and his wife live in Brisbane with their two young children. Michael’s parents, who are in their late 60s, live in Canada. They are healthy and retired but do not meet the Balance of Family test for a permanent parent visa as their other child lives in the USA. The family wants to spend significant time together while the grandchildren are young.
• The Pathway: The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa is the ideal solution.
• The Process:
  
  1. Sponsorship: Michael applies to become a Parent Sponsor. He provides evidence that he meets the minimum income threshold required by the government. His sponsorship is approved.
  2. Visa Application: With the approved sponsorship in hand, his parents, while in Canada, lodge their applications for a 5-year Subclass 870 visa. They arrange for comprehensive Australian private health insurance to cover their stay.
  3. Health & Character: They complete their medical examinations and provide police clearances from Canada.

• The Outcome: The visas are granted. Michael’s parents can now travel to Australia and stay for five continuous years. They can be present for birthdays, school events, and day-to-day family life. After the five years, they can return home and, if they wish, reapply for another visa up to the 10-year maximum, allowing for a long and flexible family reunion.

Final Thoughts: A Flexible Pathway to Keeping Your Family Close

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa 870 offers a practical and accessible pathway for many families to spend extended, meaningful time together in Australia. While it is not a permanent visa, its flexibility, particularly the absence of the Balance of Family test, makes it a valuable option for bringing parents and children together for the moments that matter most. The two-step process and the sponsor’s income requirement mean that careful planning is fundamental to a successful outcome.

Our principal migration lawyer, Jay, brings over 8 years of dedicated experience in Australian immigration law, with a deep understanding of the full range of family and parent visa options. This experience is not just about the law itself; it’s about helping families assess all available pathways, both temporary and permanent, to find the one that truly fits their long-term goals. We have guided many families through the intricacies of the Subclass 870 visa, from the initial sponsorship application to the final visa grant.

If you are ready to take the next step and would like to discuss your family’s specific situation, we invite you to book a discovery call with our team to explore how we can support you.