Because Contributory Parent visa applications can take a long time to work through the system, families often ask whether there's a way for a parent to actually be in Australia while that application sits in the queue. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, Subclass 870, exists for exactly this reason — but it comes with real limitations that are worth understanding before relying on it.
What the 870 is actually for
The Department created the Subclass 870 specifically in response to community concern about how few permanent Parent visa places are available each year, and how long the resulting queue has become. It's designed to let a parent temporarily reunite with their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen child, sponsored by that child, without placing any extra burden on the Australian community or the health system while they're here. It is a temporary visa only — it does not lead to permanent residence on its own, under any permanent Parent visa pathway.
How long it lasts
A Subclass 870 visa can be granted for up to five years at a time. Across a person's lifetime, though, the total time they can spend on Subclass 870 visas — added up across every grant — is capped at ten years.
No work rights, and that surprises people
This is the detail most families get wrong: a Subclass 870 visa holder is not permitted to work in Australia. It's a condition of the visa (Condition 8103) that the holder must not undertake work without the Minister's written permission, and under current policy that permission isn't given. If you've read anything suggesting otherwise, that's incorrect — we'd treat that claim with real caution.
Health insurance is compulsory, for the whole stay
Visa holders must maintain adequate health insurance for as long as they're in Australia on the visa — this is also a formal visa condition, checked before grant and expected to continue afterwards. There's no single legislated minimum policy; the Department assesses adequacy case by case, but evidence of a genuine Australian visitor health policy (or Medicare enrolment under a reciprocal health care arrangement, where available) is the standard way to satisfy it.
The visa charge is paid in two instalments
Like most visas, the 870 has a visa application charge paid in two parts — the first when the application is made, and the second once every other requirement is otherwise met. The size of the second instalment depends on whether the visa being granted is for three years or less, or for longer than three years.
The current sponsorship application charge is $420 to become an approved parent sponsor. The current total visa application charges are:
- Up to 3 years: $6,370
- Up to 5 years: $12,440
The visa application charge is paid in two instalments.
For most applicants, the first instalment is $1,515 and is payable when the visa application is lodged. A reduced first instalment of $1,245 applies to applicants who hold a valid passport issued by a Pacific-regional country.
The second instalment is payable before the visa is granted and depends on the intended visa period:
- Up to 3 years: $4,855
- Up to 5 years: $10,925
For most applicants, this brings the total government visa application charge to $6,370 for a visa of up to 3 years or $12,440 for a visa of up to 5 years.
Visa application charges are subject to change and are generally reviewed periodically. Applicants should confirm the current Department of Home Affairs fees before lodging their application.
The sponsor has to qualify too
The parent's child (the sponsor) needs to be an approved parent sponsor, which includes meeting an income test.
To be approved as a sponsor for the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, the sponsor must meet a minimum taxable income requirement.
The current minimum income threshold is $83,454.80.
The sponsor can meet the income test using their own taxable income. Alternatively, their taxable income can be combined with the taxable income of:
- their spouse or de facto partner; or
- one child of the parent being sponsored, provided that child is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Where income is combined, the sponsor's own taxable income must still be at least 50% of the required income threshold. Based on the current threshold of $83,454.80, this means the sponsor must personally have taxable income of at least $41,727.40.
For example, if a sponsor has a taxable income of $50,000 and their spouse has a taxable income of $40,000, their combined taxable income of $90,000 would meet the current income threshold, provided all other sponsorship requirements are satisfied.
It is important to note that the income test is based on taxable income, rather than simply gross salary or earnings.
The minimum income threshold is generally adjusted over time and may increase each year. Sponsors should therefore confirm the current income requirement before lodging their sponsorship application.
The important restriction for Contributory Parent applicants
Here's the detail that matters most for our purposes: someone who currently holds a Subclass 870 visa, or has previously held one and hasn't yet left Australia, cannot make a valid onshore application for the Contributory Parent visa (or several other permanent parent visa categories). However — and this is the useful part — if a parent has already lodged a permanent Contributory Parent visa application, they can still apply for and be granted a Subclass 870 visa afterwards, purely to visit while that permanent application is pending. It's the sequencing that matters: lodge the permanent application first, then use the 870 to bridge the wait, rather than the other way around.
Why this needs a proper conversation, not a guess
Between the work restriction, the health insurance obligation, the sponsor income test, and the sequencing rule above, getting this wrong can cost a family real time and money. This is genuinely a "talk to us before you act" situation rather than something to self-assess from a blog post.
Where to from here
If your family is weighing up whether a Subclass 870 visa makes sense alongside a Contributory Parent visa application, get in touch with our team and we'll talk through how the two fit together for your situation. You can also see our Contributory Parent Visa service page for more on the permanent pathway itself.
This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for individual advice. Visa requirements, costs and processing arrangements are set by the Australian Government and can change — please contact us to confirm current requirements for your situation.
About Rocket & Ash Immigration Law
At Rocket & Ash Immigration Law, we specialise in helping families, couples, and businesses navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law. Our expertise in visa applications ensures that you receive tailored advice and support throughout your immigration journey.
If you require assistance with your Subclass 870 or Subclass 143 Parent Visa Application or have any other immigration-related queries, our experienced team can help.
Please book a free 15-minute discussion with our team if you have further questions.
Written for Ivy Khine Su San, Solicitor LPN: 5514120
This article does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. For up-to-date information, please consult an immigration professional.