What Is the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) allows eligible parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to spend extended periods with their family in Australia.
Unlike permanent Parent visas, the Subclass 870 provides a temporary stay of up to three or five years per visa, with a cumulative maximum of 10 years under this visa category.
It can be an attractive option for families who want to spend more time together in Australia without necessarily pursuing permanent migration.
However, the visa does not provide permanent residency, does not permit work and requires an approved parent sponsor.
At A2MS – Australian Migration & Education Services, we help families understand their Parent visa options and assess whether the Subclass 870 is appropriate for their circumstances.
Subclass 870 Visa at a Glance
| Feature | Subclass 870 |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Temporary |
| Stay duration | Up to 3 or 5 years per visa |
| Maximum cumulative stay | 10 years |
| Permanent residency | No direct pathway |
| Work rights | No |
| Balance of Family Test | Not required |
| Assurance of Support | Not required |
| Sponsorship | Approved Parent Sponsor required |
| Health insurance | Required |
| Multiple travel | Permitted while visa remains valid |
| Family members | Separate applications required |
Who Is Eligible for the Subclass 870 Visa?
The parent applicant must generally:
- Be the biological, legal, adoptive or step-parent, or parent-in-law, of the approved sponsor.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have an approved Parent Sponsor before applying.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Maintain adequate health insurance from an Australian health insurance provider.
- Have access to sufficient financial resources.
- Genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia.
- Have complied with previous visa conditions and obligations.
Importantly, the Subclass 870 does not require parents to satisfy the Balance of Family Test.
This can make it worth considering for families whose children live across several countries.
Who Can Sponsor a Parent for Subclass 870?
An eligible sponsor must generally be at least 18 years old and be the prospective applicant’s child or that child’s spouse or de facto partner.
The sponsor must satisfy applicable citizenship or residence requirements. Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens are generally subject to a four-year usual-residence requirement, together with relevant immigration-status conditions.
Sponsors must also meet income, character, debt and previous sponsorship requirements.
Subclass 870 Sponsor Income Requirement
The Department of Home Affairs currently specifies a minimum taxable income of AUD 83,454.80 for the most recently completed taxable income year before the sponsorship application.
Where eligible, a sponsor may combine income with their partner and/or another child of the prospective visa applicant. The sponsor’s own taxable income must account for at least 50% of the required threshold.
The relevant Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessment is an important supporting document.
Can You Sponsor Both Parents?
Yes. An approved sponsorship may cover up to two parents per household at a time, subject to the sponsorship rules.
A household is limited to one parent sponsorship at a time.
Subclass 870 Visa Fees in 2026
The published standard government charges are:
| Application | Government charge |
|---|---|
| Parent sponsorship application | AUD 420 |
| Visa up to 3 years | AUD 6,370 |
| Visa up to 5 years | AUD 12,440 |
The visa application charge is paid in two instalments.
Additional expenses may include health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, health insurance and professional assistance.
From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste may qualify for a lower visa application charge.
Important: Government charges can change. Confirm the applicable amount and any concessions with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging an application.
How to Apply for the Subclass 870 Visa
Step 1: Assess Sponsorship Eligibility
The sponsoring family member should check their immigration status, income, relationship evidence and sponsorship obligations.
Step 2: Apply for Parent Sponsorship
The proposed sponsor submits a Family Sponsorship application through ImmiAccount, with the required supporting documents and sponsorship fee.
Step 3: Obtain Sponsorship Approval
The Department must approve the sponsorship before the parent can lodge their Subclass 870 visa application.
Step 4: Lodge the Parent’s Visa Application
The parent generally applies from outside Australia.
The visa application must normally be lodged within six months of sponsorship approval. Where exceptional permission to apply in Australia has been granted, the applicable period is 60 days.
Step 5: Complete Health, Character and Insurance Requirements
The parent provides the required documentation and responds to any further requests from the Department.
Step 6: Await the Visa Decision
Processing times vary. Applicants should consult the Department’s current visa processing time guide rather than relying on a fixed estimate.
Can You Apply for a Subclass 870 Visa While in Australia?
Generally, the parent must apply from outside Australia.
Permission to apply from within Australia is available only in limited exceptional circumstances and must be granted by the Department.
Holding a visitor visa does not automatically give someone permission to apply for a Subclass 870 visa onshore.
Families should check their current visa conditions before planning an application.
Can You Work on a Subclass 870 Visa?
No. Subclass 870 holders are not permitted to undertake paid work in Australia.
Parents should therefore plan for living expenses, accommodation and healthcare without relying on Australian employment income.
Health Insurance and Medicare
Subclass 870 holders must maintain adequate health insurance arrangements with an Australian health insurance provider.
Medicare access should not be assumed simply because a parent holds a Subclass 870 visa. Any potential access under a reciprocal healthcare agreement or other eligibility category should be checked separately with Services Australia.
Healthcare costs and insurance exclusions deserve particular attention, especially for older parents or applicants with ongoing medical needs.
Can a Subclass 870 Visa Be Extended?
A Subclass 870 visa cannot simply be extended.
A parent may be eligible to apply for another Subclass 870 visa, subject to the cumulative 10-year limit and other requirements.
For a further application, the parent generally needs to apply from outside Australia and satisfy the applicable requirement to remain outside Australia for at least 90 consecutive days, unless a relevant exception applies.
Families should plan the timing of further applications carefully.
Does the Subclass 870 Lead to Permanent Residency?
No. The Subclass 870 is a temporary visa and does not itself lead to Australian permanent residency.
A parent cannot apply for a permanent or temporary Parent visa while they have applied for or hold a Subclass 870 visa.
This is particularly important for families considering both temporary reunification and eventual permanent migration.
Parents exploring permanent residency may wish to read our Complete Australian Parent Visa Guide or Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 Guide.
Subclass 870 vs Permanent Parent Visas
| Feature | Subclass 870 | Subclass 143 | Subclass 804 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa status | Temporary | Permanent | Permanent |
| Balance of Family Test | Not required | Required | Required |
| Stay | Up to 3 or 5 years per visa | Indefinite | Indefinite |
| Work rights | No | Generally yes | Generally yes |
| Permanent residency | No | Yes | Yes |
| Processing | Sponsorship and temporary visa process | Capped and queued | Capped and queued |
| Main consideration | Extended family visits | Contributory permanent migration | Non-contributory aged-parent migration |
Subclass 804 also has an age eligibility requirement and different application-location rules.
For a more detailed comparison of aged-parent pathways, read our Subclass 804 vs 864 Guide.
Common Subclass 870 Visa Mistakes
Families should take particular care to avoid:
- Lodging the parent visa application before sponsorship approval.
- Assuming that the Balance of Family Test applies to this visa.
- Overlooking the sponsor’s income or residency requirements.
- Assuming that parents can work or automatically access Medicare.
- Treating the 10-year cumulative limit as permanent residency.
- Assuming that a parent can freely switch to a permanent Parent visa while holding Subclass 870.
- Failing to plan for insurance costs, repeat applications and periods outside Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both my parents apply for a Subclass 870 visa?
Yes. An eligible approved sponsor may sponsor up to two parents in the household at a time, subject to the sponsorship requirements. Each parent must make their own visa application.
Is there an age limit for Subclass 870?
The applicant must be at least 18 years old. There is no general maximum age limit specified for the visa, although health and other eligibility requirements apply.
Do all my children need to live in Australia?
No. The Subclass 870 does not have a Balance of Family Test.
Can my parents stay in Australia for 10 continuous years?
Not automatically. Each visa permits a stay of up to three or five years, and further applications are subject to additional requirements, including rules concerning time spent outside Australia.
Can a parent travel overseas and return?
Yes, multiple travel is generally permitted while the visa remains valid, subject to the grant and visa conditions.
Can Subclass 870 holders apply for a Subclass 143 visa?
They cannot lodge a permanent Parent visa application while they have applied for or hold a Subclass 870 visa. Families should seek advice on sequencing different visa pathways.
Is Subclass 870 better than a Visitor Visa?
That depends on the family’s objectives. Subclass 870 offers the possibility of a longer temporary stay, but has sponsorship, insurance, financial and other requirements. A Visitor visa may be more suitable for shorter visits.
How A2MS Can Help
Choosing a Parent visa requires more than comparing government charges.
Families should consider sponsorship eligibility, long-term migration objectives, financial commitments, healthcare, application location and potential restrictions on future applications.
A2MS can assist with understanding the available pathways, assessing eligibility, preparing supporting documents and planning an appropriate application strategy.
Explore our related resources:
- Australian Parent Visa Options and Services
- Complete Australian Parent Visa Guide
- Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 Guide
- Subclass 804 vs 864 Comparison
Need Help Bringing Your Parents to Australia?
Speak with A2MS about whether the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 870 suits your family’s circumstances.
Contact A2MS to arrange a Parent visa consultation.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute personal migration or legal advice. Visa requirements, charges and processing arrangements may change. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Information checked against Department of Home Affairs guidance in October 2026.
Compare other Parent visa pathways: Read our complete Parent visa options guide, subclass 173 temporary contributory guide, Parent visa bridging visa guide, permanent subclass 143 guide and 804 vs 864 comparison.
