Visa file / Partner and family visas
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa 870
Visits of 3 or 5 years at a time, up to 10 years in total, without the parent queue. No work.
In force
Who it is for
Parents, step-parents and parents-in-law of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens, for long visits. There is no balance of family test and no Assurance of Support.
Published eligibility
- Your child is first approved as a Parent Sponsor (fee A$420), including an income test of at least A$83,454 taxable income for the most recent income year.
- Genuine temporary visit; health insurance for the whole stay; health and character.
- Only one parent couple can be sponsored at a time.
Where you apply from
Outside Australia (unless permission is given to apply in Australia).
Related
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
First enquiry
You tell the registered migration agent your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
Where a registered migration agent can helpIdentifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
- 02
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 03
Sponsor approval
Your child applies to be a Parent Sponsor.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks the income test.
- 04
Visa application
Apply for 3 or 5 years and arrange health insurance.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the genuine visit evidence.
- 05
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
- 06
Visit
Stay without working; up to 10 years in total across visas.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains conditions and renewal.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Parent Sponsor application | A$420 |
| 3 years: first and second instalments | A$1,515 + A$4,855 = A$6,370 |
| 5 years: first and second instalments | A$1,515 + A$10,925 = A$12,440 |
The Parent Sponsor application (A$420) is separate. Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | 7 months | 9 months |
| Sponsorship | 89 days | 4 months |
Home Affairs Global visa processing times, updated 29 September 2026 (applications finalised to 31 August 2026). Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Sponsor income test not met.
- Doubts about a genuine temporary visit.
- Inadequate insurance.
- Health or character; previous overstay.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Sponsor
Parent
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.