अंशदायी माता-पिता (अस्थायी) वीज़ा

What this visa is for#

The Australian Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa, subclass 173, is a two-year temporary parent visa, a staged route to the 143. It is part of the Parent stream.

This visa exists as a temporary stage for parents who want to move toward permanent residence through the Contributory Parent visa pathway. It lets a parent stay in Australia for the temporary visa period and then, if a further application is made and granted, continue to the permanent subclass 143 stage.

The subclass 173 is different from a permanent parent visa because it is designed as a step in a two-stage process. People often compare it with the subclass 143 because the 173 can lead into that visa, but the two are separate applications with separate government charges.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who are the parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and who want to use the contributory parent pathway in two stages rather than applying directly for the permanent subclass 143.

This visa is for people who want a temporary parent visa first, then later apply for the permanent stage. It is commonly used where a family prefers to spread the visa process over time instead of starting with a direct permanent contributory parent application.

This visa is for people in the Parent stream. Although some Department systems group visas under broad internal categories, the maintained data for this page lists the category as partner and the stream as Parent.

What it costs#

The government visa application charge listed for this visa is:

• Main applicant: $30,400
• Additional applicant 18 or over: $30,400

These are the government charges for the visa application itself. The government charge is the same no matter who lodges it, whether that is the applicant, a registered migration agent, or an Australian legal practitioner.

Professional fees are separate. A registered migration agent or lawyer may charge for work such as checking identity and civil documents, preparing the application for lodgement, corresponding with the Department, monitoring deadlines, and helping gather further documents after lodgement. Those professional fees are not set by the government, so they can vary from one provider to another.

Government charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Before lodging, it is sensible to check the current charge that applies on the day the application is lodged.

There can also be other out-of-pocket costs connected with the process, such as health examinations, police certificates, translations, and document replacement fees if older records need to be reissued. The exact amount depends on the documents involved and which countries issue them.

How long it takes#

Processing times for parent visas can be long, and the timeframe can change over time depending on queue levels, annual planning places, application volumes, and whether the Department asks for more information. For a staged parent visa like the subclass 173, the total pathway also needs to be looked at in two parts: the temporary stage and then the later permanent subclass 143 application.

A visa application can also take longer where identity documents are inconsistent, police clearances are delayed, health examinations expire and need to be repeated, or there are long gaps before requested documents are provided. Delays are also common where documents come from overseas authorities with slow issue times.

The Department publishes processing information from time to time, but parent visa processing is often shaped by queue management as well as ordinary case processing steps. That means a complete application can still take a long time.

What the process involves#

The process usually starts with checking the current Department requirements, preparing the correct application form and supporting documents, and paying the government charge that applies at lodgement. The application then joins the Department's processing system.

Supporting documents commonly include identity documents, birth certificates, documents showing the parent-child relationship, and documents about the sponsoring child and their status in Australia. Depending on the circumstances, other records may also be required, such as marriage certificates, change of name documents, or documents explaining family composition.

After lodgement, the Department may issue requests for more information. These requests often cover health examinations, police certificates, updated identity documents, or clarification where names, dates, or family details do not match across records.

If the visa is granted, it is a temporary visa for two years. If a person later wants to continue through the staged contributory parent pathway, the permanent subclass 143 is a separate later application with its own requirements, forms, charges and decision.

People who use a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner often use them to manage deadlines, upload documents in the correct place, and keep the application file consistent. VisaBid is a marketplace where registered migration agents and Australian legal practitioners can provide itemised quotes, so applicants can compare service levels and fees before choosing a provider.

What commonly goes wrong#

A very common problem is incomplete evidence at lodgement. Missing birth certificates, unclear copies of passports, absent marriage records, or no evidence linking different names across documents can slow the application down because the Department has to ask for basics that could have been provided earlier.

Another practical issue is documents expiring during the process. Passports, police certificates and some health-related documents can go out of date before a case is decided. When that happens, updated documents may be requested, which adds time and cost.

Family records often contain small inconsistencies that become big delays. Different spellings of names, reversed day and month formats in dates of birth, missing middle names, and different addresses across forms can all trigger requests for clarification. These issues are easier to deal with when they are identified and explained early with matching evidence.

Some applicants do not tell the Department when key details change. A change of address, passport renewal, change of contact details, marriage, separation, or the death of a family member can all affect the Department's records. If the Department sends a request to an old address or outdated email contact, deadlines can be missed.

Another common mistake is assuming a bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive visa held before lodgement. In practice, visa conditions can differ. Work rights, travel rights and re-entry arrangements depend on the visa actually in effect at the time, not on assumptions carried over from an earlier visa.

Delays also happen when overseas documents are not translated properly. Where a document is not in English, the Department generally expects an English translation from a suitable translator. Poor quality scans, missing pages, and uploads that cut off stamps or seals can create avoidable follow-up requests.

Some applications stall because people do not monitor Department messages after lodgement. Requests can come through online accounts or by email, and response periods can be strict. Missing one request can lead to long delays, or in some cases a decision being made on the information already available.

Frequently asked questions#

What is the subclass 173 visa?#

The subclass 173 is a temporary contributory parent visa. It lasts for two years and is designed as a staged route to the permanent subclass 143 visa.

Is the 173 visa permanent residency?#

No. It is a temporary visa only.

It sits in a two-stage contributory parent pathway. A later application is needed for the permanent subclass 143 stage.

How much is the government charge for a 173 visa?#

The listed government charge is $30,400 for the main applicant. The listed government charge is also $30,400 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over.

These are government charges, not professional fees. The government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application.

Can a migration agent or lawyer change the government fee?#

No. The government fee is set by the Australian Government, and it does not change because of who prepares or lodges the application.

A registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner may charge a separate professional fee for their work. That fee can vary between providers.

Does the 173 visa lead to the 143 visa?#

Yes. This visa is a two-year temporary parent visa, a staged route to the 143.

The later subclass 143 stage is not automatic. It is a separate application with its own process, charges and decision.

About this page. This is general information about how the Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA register.