The Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) is a temporary visa that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to visit the country for 3 to 5 years. The visa application changes associated with obtaining a sponsored parent visa is AUD5,000 for a 3-year validity period and AUD10,000 for a 5-year validity period. Generally, parents must be outside of Australia at the time they make the application. Permission to apply from within Australia can be requested, but will require approval from the Minister.

This is a temporary visa, which can be granted for 3 years or 5 years depending on the request and lodgement fees paid in the initial application. For the 3-year visa, you can expect AUD5,000 in lodgement fees. The 5-year visa will cost AUD10,000 in lodgement fees. 

Australian visas can’t be “extended” in the ordinary sense, but visa holders who wish to extend their stay can apply for a further visa application for another 3 or 5-year period. New visas are not automatically granted and you must once again meet the relevant criteria. Note however, that the total period of time applicants can hold a Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) visa is 10 years.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, 90 per cent of Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) visas are processed within 5 months. Processing can take longer than anticipated if the application is filled out incorrectly or all required documentation is not included. To reduce the chances of delay, double-check your application to ensure all questions are answered correctly and all materials included before submission.

No. Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) visa holders are not authorised to work in Australia with this visa. Other visas such as TSS visas or permanent residence visas are required for non-citizens to legally work in Australia.

Notwithstanding the above, Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) visa holders are permitted to engage in unpaid work such as providing childcare for family members or volunteering with charitable organisations. Note however, that they should not perform unpaid work in a commercial or family business environment. If you work unlawfully in Australia on a Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) visa you will be in breach of your visa conditions and the visa will be liable for cancellation. Contact us at [email protected] if you want further information about your proposed plans in Australia, or require assistance to obtain work authorisation.

Eligibility criteria for a Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) visa are that:

1. You are outside of Australia at lodgement (unless you have permission to apply onshore from the Minister)
2. be the biological, adoptive, step-parent or parent in-law of the Parent Sponsor (there is no balance of family test or Assurance of Support requirements for this visa)
3. be at least 18 years of age
4. have an approved Parent Sponsor to apply for this visa (the sponsor must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who has been usually resident in Australia for four years AND have a minimum salary of $83,454.80 per annum)
5. must meet health and character requirements
6. have, or have access to, enough money to support yourself while you are in Australia
7. have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily
8. have and maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance whist in Australia
9. not have an outstanding debt to the Australian government

The Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870) is a multi entry visa. This means that travelling to and from Australia whilst the visa is active is permissible. There are no restrictions on the number of times you can travel in and out of the country during the active term of the visa. The Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system provides visa details and conditions and can be used prior to travel to verify your visa status.