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Contributory Parent visa

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The Contributory Parent visa stands out from other parent visas due to its higher financial requirements during the application process. However, one of its advantages is the relatively faster processing time, enabling you to reunite with family members more quickly.

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What is the Contributory parent visa (subclass 173/143)?

If you're a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you might qualify to apply for a Contributory Parent visa.

Contributory Parent visas come in two subclasses. Subclass 173 is a temporary visa that permits you to reside in Australia for up to 2 years, while Subclass 143 is a permanent visa. The Contributory Parent visa involves two stages: the temporary stage (subclass 173) and the permanent stage (subclass 143).

Eligibility requirements for a Contributory parent visa

It's always advisable to seek professional guidance from a migration agent regarding your eligibility for any visa and to discuss your overall migration options based on your unique circumstances.In general terms, for both Subclasses 173 and 143 of the Contributory Parent visa, the sponsor must meet these requirements:

For the Sponsor:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia
  • Agree to offer accommodation and financial support to the applicant for their initial two years in Australia.

For the Visa Applicant:

A valid application requires the applicant to meet the following criteria. It's advisable to seek professional advice on your eligibility and options. The criteria state that you must:

  • Be sponsored by an eligible sponsor
  • Not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa
  • Meet the balance of family test, which requires having more children living in Australia than in any other country, or at least half of your children are eligible to sponsor you.
  • Meet the health and character requirements.

The eligibility criteria for both subclasses are the same, with the only difference being that Subclass 143 (permanent visa) requires an assurance of support. This assurance is a legal agreement that the sponsor will provide support to you, and you agree not to rely on Centrelink payments for 10 years.

Benefits of a Contributory parent visa

The primary advantage of Contributory Parent visas is the opportunity to reunite and reside with your children in Australia. Moreover, if granted a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143), you gain the ability to permanently live in Australia and enjoy benefits such as travel and healthcare like other Australians.

As a subclass 173 visa-holder, you can

  • Work without restrictions and receive at least the minimum wage under Australian law
  • Study without limitations
  • Travel in and out of Australia for a period of 2 years

As a subclass 143 visa-holder, you can

  • Work and study without limitations
  • Travel in and out of Australia for a period of 5 years
  • Apply for citizenship once eligible
  • Access Medicare
  • Sponsor your family members to come to Australia under relevant programs.

An Australian Migration Agent will provide you with a summary of benefits you will be eligible for should you choose this visa pathway.

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Contributory parent visa checklist

The Subclass 173/143 Parent visa necessitates substantial evidence to satisfy the Australian Government regarding the sponsor and applicant meeting all visa criteria. Your Australian Migration Agent will offer advice and assurance of your eligibility.

Australian Migration Agents have devised two detailed checklists (one for sponsors and one for visa applicants) of documents that will be provided to you upon engagement. It's crucial to compile a comprehensive package of information to support your application.

Additionally, we will review and provide feedback to ensure the compliance and completeness of the evidence, ensuring you present the strongest possible case to the Department of Home Affairs.

  • Personal documents
  • Identity and visa documentation
  • Relationship documents
  • Evidence of relationships
  • Eligible community organisation documents (if applicable)
  • Registration certificate
  • Authorization from the board or management committee
  • Evidence of financial support for the applicant after their arrival in Australia
  • ABN and company extract
  • Evidence of the organisation's relationship with the applicant's child
  • Personal documents
  • Identity and personal documentation
  • Sponsor documents
  • Financial documentation and evidence
  • Evidence of relationship with each child
  • Evidence that the child should not be included in the balance-of-family test (e.g., death certificate)
  • Assurance of support (only applicable for subclass 143 application)
  • Character documents
  • Police and military documentation and reports

How the Contributory parent visa works

The Contributory Parent visa consists of two stages: the subclass 173 (temporary) stage and the subclass 143 (permanent) stage.

Stage 1: Temporary Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 173)

Before applying for the permanent subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa, parents must first apply for the Temporary Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 173). Fortunately, as of the time of posting, the Department is not requiring Family visa applicants to travel offshore. A temporary concession allows visas to be granted in Australia to eligible Parent visa applicants from 24 March 2021.

Stage 2: Permanent Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143)

After being granted the subclass 173 visa, parents may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143). Applicants can be in or outside of Australia when applying for this visa, and upon approval, they gain the right to permanently stay in Australia.

Australian Migration Agents are here to assist you at any stage of your journey towards a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173/143). To enhance your chances of success, reach out to us for a consultation.

Future visa pathways

Once granted the subclass 143 visa, you are recognized as an Australian Permanent Resident by the Australian Government, entitling you to various benefits in areas such as health, travel, and other services. You also have the option to apply for Australian citizenship if you desire.

Australian Citizens enjoy the following entitlements:

  • Consular services and support while overseas
  • Visa-free travel to over 100 countries on an Australian passport
  • Access to Australian government employment opportunities
  • If you opt to maintain your Permanent Resident status, the subclass 143 visa provides a 5-year travel facility. This allows you to travel in and out of Australia for up to 5 years on the subclass 143 visa. After the initial 5 years, if you wish to travel internationally, you'll need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (subclass 155). This visa must be renewed every 5 years thereafter.

Benefits of using Australian Migration Agents for your visa

We regularly assist individuals in reuniting with their family members, understanding the emotional complexities involved in the process. Our goal is to simplify the migration journey for you and your family, making it easier to achieve your goals.

  • Our team of highly qualified Australian Migration Agents specialises in Contributory Parent visas and provides expert guidance to ensure your application complies with relevant laws and precedents.
  • We assess the eligibility of your case and discuss the available migration options with you.
  • As migration professionals, we are committed to collaborating with you to ensure that your Parent visa application meets all legislative requirements, thereby increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome

Australian visa application steps

The application process can be a complex and time-consuming journey, with strict eligibility criteria and a certain amount of evidence required to support your application. A registered migration agent can help you gather the correct documents and improve your chances of visa success. 

Book a consultation

Step 1

Initial consultation

Book a free consultation with one of our registered migration agents, where we’ll discuss your situation and see how we can help you move forward.

Step 2

Application preparation & submission

Your Australia visa agent will prepare a submission to support your application, tailored to your unique situation and backed by all the documents required. Once completed, we’ll submit your application to the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.

Step 3

Visa outcome

We’ll be in touch once the Department has come to a decision. If the application isn’t granted, we can appeal on your behalf.

Contributory parent visa processing times using Australian migration agents

There are two main costs associated with a subclass 173/143 Contributory Parent visa:

Professional fees payable to Australian Migration Agents to prepare your primary application:

Our fees vary depending on the circumstances of your application, considering the complexity and other factors involved. In most cases, we offer a fixed fee for our services to provide our clients with some certainty about the costs associated with their Contributory Parent visa.

Book a consultation with one of our qualified agents to get a quote today.

Currently, there is no fee associated with sponsoring a Contributory Parent visa application. However, sponsors must ensure they fulfil their financial and other responsibilities to support the applicant in their first 2 years in Australia.

As of 1 July 2023, the Department of Home Affairs fees for the subclass 173 (temporary) visa are $32,340, divided into two instalments:

  1. $3,210 must be paid at the time of lodgement, and
  2. $29,130 is payable before the visa grant.

The Department of Home Affairs fee for the subclass 143 (permanent) visa is currently $48,365, also divided into two instalments:

  1. $4,765 must be paid at the time of lodgement, and
  2. $43,600 is payable before the visa grant.

However, the second instalment is only requested when the Department of Home Affairs intends to grant you the visa. They won't ask for the second instalment if you cannot meet the visa eligibility requirements.

Contributory parent visa considerations: Timing & location

Your Australian Migration Agent will discuss your migration strategy and the options available to you. We can assist you regardless of where you are in the Parent visa process.

Please note that there is no guarantee regarding the granting of a Parent visa, as the final decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs. However, we prioritise your circumstances and are committed to ensuring you consistently receive the necessary support and advice.

As agents, we strive to make ourselves as accessible to our clients as possible:

  • Most initial consultations are free, and recurring services will incur a fixed fee that we will discuss with you.
  • You can have a consultation with us from anywhere in Australia as our consultations are online.
  • We can assist you regardless of where you are in the Parent visa process.

Australia-wide services

Our skilled team offers in-person and virtual appointments, which means we can provide immigration assistance and advice regardless of where you live in Australia.  

Frequently asked questions

Read our most commonly asked questions about the subclass 173/143 visas.

What is the difference between a contributory parent visa and a contributory aged parent visa?

The Aged Parent Visa and the Contributory Parent Visa both grant permanent residence status upon approval. However, they differ significantly in their application processing times and costs. The Contributory Parent Visa typically has a processing time of approximately 18 to 26 months, while the Aged Parent Visa may take up to 18 or more years for processing.

Both visa types can be lodged while the applicant is onshore. Thus, while both visas offer the same permanent residence status upon approval, the difference lies in the application cost and processing duration.

What is the age limit for a contributory parent visa?

There is no age limit for a contributory parent visa.

How long does it take to get a contributory parent visa?

The processing times can vary by the Department of Home Affairs, but our team of Australian Migration Agents will keep you updated throughout the process. As of the time of publication, both subclass 173 and subclass 143 visa applications may take a minimum of 12 years to process due to high demand. The processing times for an application may also be impacted by the completeness and complexity of the matter. If your application is not filled in correctly, does not include all required or outstanding documents, or if your information takes a long time to verify, your application might take longer to process. That's why it's recommended you work with migration practitioners.

There are two main stages in assessing subclass 173/143 visa applications:

  1. First, the Department will check your eligibility and either add the application to the queue or refuse it.
  2. If the application is added to the queue, the Department continues assessing the application when a place becomes available and makes a decision.

Book a consultation

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