Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 173
Live in Australia for 2 years with your children – a pathway to permanent residency
Key Benefits
2-Year Stay
Live in Australia for up to 24 months with your children and grandchildren
Split Costs
Spread migration fees over two stages instead of paying all upfront
Full Work Rights
Work and study freely in Australia during your 2-year stay
Medicare Access
Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system immediately
Multiple Entry
Travel to and from Australia freely during 2-year validity
Path to PR
Transition to permanent Subclass 143 visa before 2 years expire
Who Is This Visa For?
Perfect for parents who want to reunite sooner and manage costs gradually
👨👩👦 Parents Outside Australia
- Have children settled in Australia
- Want to reunite with family sooner
- Prefer to split migration costs
- No age limit applies
- Plan to eventually apply for permanent residency
💰 Financial Flexibility
- Cannot afford full permanent visa fees upfront
- Want time to gather remaining funds
- Prefer staged payments over 2+ years
- Need to be in Australia while planning permanent move
- Want to test living in Australia first
👶 Family Reunification
- Want to spend time with children and grandchildren
- Help with childcare or family support
- Experience Australian lifestyle
- Be present for important family events
- Make informed decision about permanent move
Eligibility Requirements
Key criteria you must meet
Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen child, 18+ years old, settled in Australia for 2+ years
At least half your children are in Australia, or more children in Australia than any other country
Meet Australian health standards through medical examinations
Police clearances from countries lived in 12+ months in last 10 years
Parents of any age can apply (unlike some aged parent visas)
Must be outside Australia when visa is decided
No unpaid debts to Australian government or arrangements to repay
Sponsor shows ability to support you (required for later AoS)
Subclass 173 vs Subclass 143
Understanding the difference between temporary and permanent contributory parent visas
| Feature | Subclass 173 (Temporary) | Subclass 143 (Permanent) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Temporary (2 years) | Permanent (indefinite) |
| Purpose | Bridge to permanency with staged payments | Direct permanent residency |
| Cost Structure | Split over two applications – smaller initial payment | Full contributory fee upfront (~$43,600 per parent) |
| Total Cost | Slightly higher (extra 173 application fee) | Lower total cost (one application only) |
| Stay Duration | 2 years (cannot extend) | Indefinite stay in Australia |
| Work Rights | Yes – full work rights | Yes – full work rights |
| Medicare | Yes | Yes |
| Social Benefits | No (most welfare not available) | Yes (after waiting periods) |
| AoS Required | No (not at this stage) | Yes ($10k bond per parent) |
| Best For | Parents wanting to reunite sooner and split costs | Parents ready for permanent move with funds available |
The Two-Step Pathway Explained
How Subclass 173 leads to permanent residency
Step 1: Subclass 173 (Temporary)
- 1 Apply for Subclass 173 visa
- 2 Pay first installment (~$3,695)
- 3 Wait in queue (several years typically)
- 4 Complete health checks and pay second installment
- 5 Visa granted – travel to Australia!
- 6 Live in Australia for 2 years
Step 2: Subclass 143 (Permanent)
- 1 Apply for Subclass 143 (before 173 expires)
- 2 Lodge Assurance of Support ($10k bond)
- 3 Pay remaining visa fees
- 4 Remain in Australia on bridging visa if needed
- 5 Permanent residency granted! 🎉
Application Process
Step-by-step journey to Australia
Eligibility Assessment
Comprehensive review of your family situation, Balance of Family Test, sponsor eligibility, and financial commitments. VisaTasker provides honest assessment before proceeding.
Document Preparation
Gather identity documents, relationship evidence, sponsor’s Australian status proof, residency documents. Complete sponsorship forms and prepare all required paperwork.
Visa Lodgement
Submit complete application through ImmiAccount. Pay first installment (~$3,695). Application enters queue for processing based on annual program caps.
Waiting Period
Application in queue (typically several years). VisaTasker monitors progress and keeps you updated on any policy changes or requirements.
Health & Character Checks
Department requests medical examinations and police clearances. VisaTasker coordinates scheduling and submission of all required health and character documents.
Second Installment Payment
Pay second visa installment when requested. This substantial payment enables visa grant. No AoS required at this stage (unlike 143).
Visa Grant & Travel
Subclass 173 visa granted! Travel to Australia and activate your 2-year stay. Enroll in Medicare and settle with your family.
Transition to Permanent (143)
Apply for Subclass 143 before 173 expires (typically 1-1.5 years into stay). Complete AoS requirements and pay remaining fees for permanent residency.
Why Choose VisaTasker?
Expert parent visa guidance from start to permanent residency
MARA Registered
Licensed migration agents following strict professional standards (MARN 2318017)
Complete Service
From 173 assessment through to 143 permanent residency grant
Balance of Family Expert
Thorough assessment and strategic advice on meeting requirements
Transparent Pricing
Fixed $2,500 service fee covering entire journey
Sponsor Support
Guidance for your child sponsor including AoS assistance
Strategic Planning
Careful timing of 173→143 transition for seamless process
Investment Required
Understanding costs for the two-step pathway
Government Fees (Staged)
Paid over two stages
- Subclass 173: ~$3,695 first installment
- Plus: Second installment before 173 grant
- Subclass 143: Remaining balance
- Total higher than direct 143 (extra application)
- AoS bond: $10k per parent (143 stage only)
Our Professional Service
Fixed fee covering entire 173→143 journey
- Comprehensive eligibility assessment
- Balance of Family Test verification
- Complete 173 application preparation
- Ongoing case management
- Strategic transition planning
- Complete 143 application preparation
- AoS guidance and coordination
- Support until permanent residency
The two-step pathway allows you to reunite with family sooner while spreading substantial migration costs over 2+ years
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens after my 2-year Subclass 173 visa expires?
The Subclass 173 visa cannot be extended or renewed. You must apply for the Subclass 143 permanent visa before your 173 expires to remain in Australia legally.
2. Is it cheaper to apply directly for Subclass 143 instead of doing 173 first?
Yes, slightly. The total cost for the 173→143 pathway is higher than applying for 143 directly because you pay two application fees instead of one.
However, the benefits of the two-step approach are:
- Reunite with family sooner rather than waiting to save full amount
- Spread costs over 2+ years (more manageable for many families)
- Test living in Australia before committing to permanent move
- Be in Australia with family while 143 processes
Many families find the flexibility worth the slightly higher total cost.
3. Do I need an Assurance of Support for the Subclass 173 visa?
No. The Assurance of Support (AoS) with the $10,000 bond is NOT required for the Subclass 173 temporary visa.
The AoS is only required when you apply for the Subclass 143 permanent visa. This gives your sponsor time to prepare financially and meet the income requirements during your 2-year temporary stay.
4. Can I work in Australia on a Subclass 173 visa?
Yes! The Subclass 173 grants full work and study rights. You can work for any employer, start a business, or take courses during your 2-year stay.
However, you are not eligible for most government social welfare benefits while on the temporary 173 visa. You will have access to Medicare healthcare.
5. How long does Subclass 173 take to process?
Processing times are similar to the Subclass 143 permanent visa – typically several years due to annual program caps and queueing systems.
Current estimates suggest processing times of approximately 5-6 years, though this varies based on application volume and government planning levels. Contributory visas are significantly faster than non-contributory parent visas (which can take 20-30 years).
6. Can I include my spouse in my Subclass 173 application?
Yes. You can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in your 173 visa application. If granted, they receive the same temporary visa with identical rights and conditions.
They will also need to be included in your subsequent Subclass 143 application to transition to permanent residency together.
7. What is the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test requires that at least half of your children are Australian citizens or permanent residents (usually living in Australia), OR you have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
How it works:
- All children (biological, step, adopted) of both parents are counted
- Calculate total number of children
- Count how many are Australian citizens/PRs
- If 50% or more are Australian, you pass
- OR if more children in Australia than any other single country, you pass
Reunite With Your Family Sooner
The Subclass 173 temporary visa offers a smart pathway to permanent residency by splitting costs and allowing you to be with your children while planning your permanent move. Let VisaTasker guide you through both stages.
Book Your Consultation
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.