The Contributory Parent (Migrant) visas

The Contributory Parent visas (Subclass 173 and 143) allow parents to migrate to Australia to join their children. They are two of the several options to available to migrants applying under the Family category.

There are two types of Contributory Parent visas:

• Contributory Parent (Temporary) – Subclass 173
• Contributory Parent (Migrant) – Subclass 143

To be eligible to apply for either visa, you must:

• Have a child who is settled in Australia as one of the following:
- An Australian citizen      
- An Australian permanent resident      
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
• Be sponsored by an eligible sponsor. Usually your child will sponsor you. However, if your child is under 18 years old you may be sponsored by one of the following:
  - Your child’s spouse      
- A close family relative or guardian of your child      
- A close family relative or guardian of your child’s spouse     
- A community organisation
• Pass a Balance of Family test, proving that:
  - Half your children are permanently resident in Australia, or      
  - You have more children permanently in Australia than any other overseas single country
• Meet health and character requirements

Contributory Parent (Temporary) – Subclass 173

This temporary visa can be granted to parents who have children living in Australia. It is valid for two years and cannot be extended. The holder of this visa can, however, apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143) if they wish to settle permanently in Australia.

This visa allows holders to:

• Have access to Australia’s medical expenses and hospital care assistance scheme, Medicare
• Work in Australia
• Study in Australia, although you are not eligible to apply for Austudy

If you are in Australia, you might not be able to apply for this visa. This might be the case if, for example:

• You do not hold a substantive visa and have had a visa cancelled or refused since you last arrived in Australia
• Your last visa was granted on the condition that you would not be granted a substantive visa while you remain in Australia
• You hold a sponsored visitors visa
• You are in immigration detention
• You have previously applied for a protection visa

To apply, you will need to submit the forms and documents listed in the application checklist for this type of visa.

Contributory Parent (Migrant) – Subclass 143

This is a permanent visa for parents with children living in Australia who wish to settle permanently with their offspring down under. This visa costs more than the Parent visa but is generally processed more quickly.

To apply for this visa, you need to be sponsored by your child or another eligible sponsor in Australia. With the permanent contributory parent visa, you can:

• Work and study in Australia
• Receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• Access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
• Be eligible to apply for Australia citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
• Sponsor people for permanent residence (subject to waiting periods)

To apply, you will need to submit the forms and documents listed in the application checklist for this type of visa.

Can I sponsor my spouse with a Contributory Parent visa?

The Australian Immigration Department (DIAC) has made some changes to this particular visa category. As of 1 July 2009, parents applying under this category cannot sponsor their spouse if:

• They were granted their Contributory Parent (Migrant) visa – Subclass 143 on or after 1 July 2009, and
• Were in a spouse or de facto partner relationship on or before the date their permanent Contributory Parent visa was issued and wish to sponsor their partner after that

These changes will ensure that applicants don’t apply for two different visas (i.e. one of applying for a Contributory Parent visa and the other applying for a spouse visa afterward).