Contributory Parent visa

The sponsor, or the sponsor's cohabiting spouse or de facto partner, must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, settled in Australia, and 18 or older. The sponsor agrees to provide support, housing and financial help for the first 2 years the parent lives in Australia, including family members who come too. If the child is under 18, the child's cohabiting spouse, a relative or guardian of the child or of the child's spouse can sponsor, or a community organisation that is lawfully established and has operated in Australia for at least one year. The sponsor completes Form 40; there is no sponsorship fee.

At least half of the parent's children and stepchildren must be eligible children, or more eligible children must live in Australia than in any other single country. An eligible child is an Australian citizen, or an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia. Children in Australia on temporary visas do not count as living in Australia. 173 visa holders have already met this test.

The parent must be able to obtain an Assurance of Support, a legal commitment to repay the Australian Government any recoverable welfare payments. It can be given by an individual, several people or an organisation, not necessarily the sponsor. For this visa the assurer also lodges a refundable bond, and the Assurance of Support period runs for 10 years. Home Affairs tells the applicant when to provide it.