Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)

The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) is a temporary visa that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia for up to two years. It serves as a pathway to the Contributory Parent (Permanent) visa (subclass 143), enabling parents to transition to permanent residency after meeting eligibility and payment requirements.

Key Points and Requirements:

1. Purpose: The subclass 173 visa allows parents to live in Australia temporarily while awaiting the processing of their permanent Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) visa application.
2. Eligibility:
   • Applicants must be the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia.
   • Applicants must be sponsored by their child or their child’s partner who holds Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizenship.
   • The sponsor must meet financial and moral obligations, including providing an Assurance of Support if required.
3. Contributory Payment: Applicants are required to make a substantial visa application charge known as the contributory payment. This fee contributes to the cost of healthcare and other social services provided to the visa holder during their stay in Australia.
4. Health and Character Requirements:
   • All applicants and accompanying family members must meet health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.
   • This involves medical examinations and police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years.
5. Processing Time:
   • Processing times for the subclass 173 visa may vary based on the completeness of the application, individual circumstances, and current processing priorities of the Department of Home Affairs.
6. Pathway to Permanent Residency:
   • The subclass 173 visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Contributory Parent (Permanent) visa (subclass 143).
   • Once granted, the subclass 143 visa allows parents to live in Australia permanently, with access to healthcare and social benefits.
7. Stay Period: The subclass 173 visa allows a stay of up to two years in Australia from the date of visa grant. During this period, holders can live, work, and study in Australia, but they must apply for the permanent subclass 143 visa before their temporary visa expires.

The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) is an excellent option for parents wishing to join their children in Australia while preparing for permanent residency. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the eligibility criteria and seek guidance from a registered migration agent for assistance with the application process.