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AustraliaVisit & tourismLast checked October 22, 2026

Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa

subclass 870 · Official name: Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)

A temporary visa that lets a parent visit a child in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per visa, up to a cumulative maximum of 10 years. The child (or the child's partner) must first be approved as a Parent Sponsor, which costs AUD420.00. The parent then applies within 6 months of the sponsorship approval, usually from outside Australia, and pays the visa in 2 instalments. The parent cannot work, must keep Australian health insurance, and cannot apply for a permanent or temporary parent visa while holding or applying for this visa. It does not lead to permanent residence. Home Affairs states that up to 15,000 of these visas may be granted each program year.

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What you should know

Citizen or dual citizen of Australia? Passport rules for citizens

Life in Australia

Money

3

Currency

Australian Dollar

AUD

Australian Dollar

Cost of living

94

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

15–45%

Income tax (national)

GST 10%

2026-27: first AUD 18,200 tax-free; 45% above AUD 190,000. Plus 2% Medicare levy.

Official rates, 2026/27 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.9

#15 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Biological, legal (including adoptive) parents, step-parents and parents-in-law, aged 18 or over, of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who want long visits rather than permanent residence.

Eligibility

  • Who can sponsor: an approved Parent SponsorSponsor

    The sponsor must be 18 or older, be the parent's child (or the child's partner), and hold an approved sponsorship before the parent applies.

    • Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
    • Permanent residents and NZ citizens must usually reside in Australia for at least 4 years
    • No unlawful stay or non-A/B/C bridging visa in the last 4 years
    • A sponsoring partner must also be a citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
    Official wording

    The sponsor must be at least 18 and be the child of the parent (or the child's spouse or de facto partner). The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, or an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia for at least 4 years, and must not have been unlawful or held a bridging visa (other than a bridging visa A, B or C) during the last 4 years. When sponsoring a partner's parents, the partner must also be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsorship must be approved before the parent can apply.

  • Sponsor income testSponsor

    Show taxable income for the most recent completed income year before the sponsorship application of at least AUD83,454.80.

    Sponsor income to show

    Sponsor alone
    AUD83,454.80
    Combined income
    AUD83,454.80
    • Income can be combined with a partner and/or another child of the parent
    • Other child must be a citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
    Official wording

    The sponsor's taxable income for the most recent completed income year before the sponsorship application must be at least AUD83,454.80. A sponsor who cannot meet this alone can combine income with their partner and/or another child of the parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen; the sponsor's own taxable income must then be at least 50 per cent of that amount.

  • Sponsor obligationsSponsor

    The sponsor agrees to provide financial support and accommodation while the parent is in Australia, to tell Home Affairs about certain events, and to pay back any public health debts the parent incurs in Australia, even after the parent leaves. The sponsor must also meet the character requirement, have no unpaid debt to the Australian Government, have met any earlier sponsorship obligations and agree to share information.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementScope of sponsorship
  • Document checklistApplication for Family Sponsorship (Parent Sponsor), lodged in ImmiAccount
  • FeesParent Sponsor application fee

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  • 7 more requirements
  • 11 documents
  • 5 fees
  • 7 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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