870 - Sponsored Parent (Temp) Visa
The Subclass 870 Parent Temporary Visa allows eligible Australian residents to sponsor up to two parents to stay in Australia for three or five years. It does not lead to permanent residency, does not allow work or access to government benefits, and requires the sponsoring child to take responsibility for medical and living support.
870 Sponsored Parent (Temp) Visa Overview
The Subclass 870 Parent Temporary Visa allows Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their parents to stay in Australia on a temporary basis only. It is not a permanent residence visa.
The first visa can be granted for either three or five years. After the visa expires, the parent must leave Australia for at least 90 days before a second Subclass 870 visa can be granted.
Each household can sponsor a maximum of two parents, meaning a couple can only sponsor two out of four parents. Once in Australia, parents are not permitted to work and cannot access Medicare or other government benefits. All medical, care, and living arrangements must be privately arranged and supported by the sponsoring child.
Eligibility for Applicant
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Visa type | The Subclass 870 Parent visa is a temporary stay visa and does not grant permanent residency. |
| Genuine stay intention | Applicants must genuinely intend to stay in Australia on a temporary basis to spend time with their children, rather than using this visa as a pathway to permanent residence. |
| Health and character | Applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, which usually include medical examinations and police checks. |
| Health insurance | Before lodging the visa application, applicants must hold suitable private health insurance in Australia and maintain it for the entire visa period. |
| Gap between visas | For a second Subclass 870 application, the applicant must leave Australia after the previous 870 visa expires and remain outside Australia for at least 90 days before reapplying. |
| Government debts | Applicants must not have any outstanding debts to the Australian Government or public health authorities. |
| Work and welfare limits | Once the visa is granted, applicants are not allowed to work in Australia and cannot access public healthcare or social welfare benefits. |
| Financial responsibility | All medical, living, and aged-care related costs during the stay must be privately covered or guaranteed by the sponsoring child. |
Eligibility for Sponsor
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Family relationship | The applicant must be the sponsor’s biological parent, step-parent, or legally adopted parent. |
| Sponsor status | The sponsor (the applicant’s child) must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, and is usually expected to have lived in Australia for at least four years. |
| Age requirement | The sponsor must be at least 18 years old. |
| Residence requirement | The sponsor must be living in Australia on a long-term basis and be able to show they have an established and stable life in Australia. |
| Limit on sponsored parents | Each household can sponsor a maximum of two parents at any one time under the Subclass 870 Parent Temporary Visa. |
| Previous sponsorship history | If the sponsor has previously sponsored parents or other family members, all prior sponsorship obligations must have been met and no breaches should exist. |
| Government debts | The sponsor must not have any outstanding debts owed to the Australian Government or public health authorities. |
| Income requirement | The sponsor must meet the required taxable income threshold for the most recent full financial year (for example, AUD 83,454.80). In most cases, the sponsor must be the applicant’s child (sons-in-law or daughters-in-law cannot sponsor). If the sponsor’s income alone does not meet the threshold, their spouse or another eligible child may act as a joint sponsor, provided the combined taxable income meets the required level. |
| Sponsorship responsibility | The sponsor must agree to provide financial support during the parent’s stay in Australia and take responsibility for any medical or related costs that may arise. |
Cost
| Fee item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsor eligibility application fee | AUD 420 |
| 3-year visa – first payment (paid at lodgement) | AUD 1,215 |
| 3-year visa – second payment (paid after in-principle approval) | AUD 4,855 |
| 5-year visa – first payment (paid at lodgement) | AUD 1,215 |
| 5-year visa – second payment (paid after in-principle approval) | AUD 10,925 |
The fee is subject to the latest pricing set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Duration
-
3 years or 5 years
Benefits
- There are no requirements for education, English level, assets, or work experience.
- You can travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa is valid.
- You may live in Australia for the full visa period without needing to leave.
- After the first visa expires, you can apply again after spending 90 days outside Australia, allowing a total stay of up to 10 years across two visas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Subclass 870 a “backdoor parent migration” visa?
No. The Subclass 870 is a clearly defined temporary stay visa. It does not lead to permanent residence, and long periods of stay do not convert into migration eligibility. If an applicant or family treats the 870 as a migration pathway, issues often arise at the sponsorship or renewal stage.
If parents stay in Australia for 10 years, does it become easier to get PR?
No. The maximum stay period under the 870 has no direct connection to parent permanent visas. Eligibility for parent PR visas depends on separate visa categories and the policy settings at the time of application.
If the sponsor’s income is not high enough, does that mean the 870 is impossible?
Not always, but this is one of the most common barriers. In some cases, joint sponsorship arrangements may be used to combine income, but the structure must be compliant and cannot be improvised. Income planning is something that should be addressed before lodgement, not after.
Can a son-in-law or daughter-in-law sponsor the parents on their own?
No. The primary sponsor must be the parents’ child. A spouse may only assist as a joint income contributor where permitted, but cannot act as the sole sponsor.
Once parents hold an 870 visa, can they do casual work or help in a family business?
No. The 870 visa strictly prohibits any form of paid work. Even activities described as “helping out” may be treated as work if they involve regular duties or economic benefit.
If the parents’ health is average, could that affect the 870 application?
Yes, potentially. Although the 870 does not provide access to public healthcare, health conditions can affect medical assessment outcomes and the availability or cost of private insurance. Health issues are often underestimated risks in 870 applications.
If parents become unwell in Australia, who pays for medical costs?
In principle, costs are covered by private health insurance and the sponsoring child. The 870 visa does not allow access to Australia’s public healthcare system, and this must be clearly understood before applying.
Which is more “cost-effective”: the 3-year visa or the 5-year visa?
There is no single option that suits every family. The choice depends on the parents’ age, health, family budget, and long-term planning. Choosing the wrong option can lead to unnecessary expense or avoidable risk.
If the first 870 visa is about to expire and nothing has changed, is a second visa guaranteed?
No. A second application is assessed again based on sponsorship eligibility, income, insurance, and overall circumstances. Changes in policy, income, or family structure can all affect the outcome.
Why are some families refused even though their circumstances seem strong?
Because the key issue is not how “good” the circumstances look, but whether the application aligns with the design logic of the visa. Common problems include non-compliant sponsorship structures, incorrect income calculations, or misunderstanding the temporary nature of the visa. Many refusals are the result of flawed planning rather than bad luck.
Note: This FAQ is general information only and not legal advice. Settings (e.g., eligibility tests, exemptions, and evidentiary rules) can change; always check the latest legislative instruments before applying.
