For many migrants who have established their lives in Australia, bringing their parents to stay nearby is a deep desire. The Australian government provides a variety of visas to facilitate family reunion, one of which is a 173 contributor parents (temporary) visa. This visa offers a valuable opportunity to parents to join their children in Australia for two years, with a later possibility of infection for permanent residence.
In this blog, we will break down what the 173 parents visa Australia is, who they are for, how it works, what it costs, and whether it can be the right choice for your family.
What is a subclass 173 visa?
Subclass 173 visa is a temporary visa for the parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This allows them to live in Australia for two years. On this visa, parents can study, study and use Medicare. Importantly, this subcontinent also serves as a passage for permanent habitat through the 143 contributors original visas.
Unlike some parents' visa options, which may take more than a decade in the process, the 173 visa belongs to the "contribution" category, which means that applicants contribute financially in return for rapid processing and access to public healthcare.
Who can apply for the subclass 173 visa?
To be eligible for this visa, applicants have to meet many major criteria:
1. Sponsorship
The applicant should be sponsored by their child, who should be:
An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or character of New Zealand,
At least 18 years of age, and
Living in Australia permanently (considered “settled,” typically for 2+ years).
2. Balance of Family Test
This test ensures that the parent has close family ties to Australia. To pass:
At least half of the applicant’s children must live permanently in Australia, or
More of their children live in Australia than in any other single country.
3. Health and Character Requirements
All applicants must undergo:
health examination,
The police investigate from every country where they lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
It is necessary to meet these requirements to ensure a visa.
What allows the subclass 173 visa?
Once given, the subclass 173 visa provides the following benefits:
Live in Australia for 2 years
Work and study rights
Access to Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system
Opportunity to apply for the Subclass 143 permanent visa during the 2-year period
No requirement to leave Australia to apply for the permanent visa
This makes an attractive option for families who want to reunite soon instead of waiting for a non-fraudulent parent visa for many years.
How much does it cost?
The 173 visa contributor is part of the stream, so it comes with a high fee to cover the cost of services that may otherwise be supported by Australian taxpayers.
As of 2025, the government charges are approximately:
AUD $33,000 for the main applicant
Additional fees are applied to secondary applicants (eg spouse)
If the applicant later infections in the subclass 143 contributing parents (permanent) visas, they will have to pay another fee, which can bring more than AUD $ 50,000 per person.
While expensive, it is sharp to perform the visa process and allows families to live together within a few years instead of waiting for decades.
How to apply for 173 visa
The process includes several major stages:
1. Collect Documents
You’ll need to provide identity documents, relationship evidence, health and police checks, and proof your sponsor meets eligibility requirements.
2. Submit a Paper Application
Unlike some other visa subclasses, the Subclass 173 application must be submitted by post. There is currently no online application process.
3. Wait for Processing
Processing times vary, but 173 visas are generally processed within 2–4 years. This is significantly faster than non-contributory parent visas like the Subclass 103, which can take 20–30 years due to low annual caps.
4. Apply for Subclass 143 (Permanent) Visa
While holding 173 visas, applicants can apply onshore to the subclass 143 contributing parents, which provides permanent residence.
What happens after 2 years?
The subclass 173 visa is not extendable or renewable. To stay in Australia after 2 years, you have to apply for the Subclass 143 visa during your stay. If you do not apply for 143 visas, you will need to leave Australia at the end of a 2-year term.
173 Visa professionals and opposition
Faster processing than other parent visas
Full work and study rights
Access to Medicare
Pathway to permanent residency
Onshore application for Subclass 143
High application cost
Only temporary (2 years)
No access to welfare payments (like Centrelink)
Must later apply for Subclass 143 to stay permanently
Is a subclass 173 visa right for you?
If your family wants to reunite more quickly and you are financially prepared, then the subclass 173 visa is one of the most viable and practical routes. This allows your parents to join Australia without waiting for decades, and provide the ability to infection in permanent residence.
However, due to being involved in high costs, it is necessary to plan further and ensure that you understand the financial obligations.
final thoughts
Subclass 173 contributing parents (temporary) visas are an important option for families wishing to bring their parents into Australia without the long waiting period for other visa types. It provides flexibility, work rights, access to public healthcare,, and a clear route for permanent residence. For many people, this is the first step towards family reunion for a long time and creates a shared future in Australia.