Overview
The Subclass 870 lets a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen come to Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a lifetime maximum of 10 years. It is a two-stage process: the Australian child first becomes an approved sponsor, then the parent applies for the visa. The 870 does not permit work.
The 870 is the practical answer for families who want their parents in Australia for years at a time without committing to the very-long-queue permanent parent visas. The key is the two-stage process — the sponsorship must be approved first before the parent can lodge — and the sponsoring child’s income test is a real hurdle. We plan both stages together so the child and parent are aligned.
Who is eligible
- Be the biological, adoptive or step-parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
- Be sponsored by an approved Parent Sponsor (the child must apply for sponsorship first)
- The sponsoring child must meet the household income threshold and accept financial responsibility
- Hold adequate health insurance for the duration of the visa
- Meet health and character requirements
Costs
Fees change with annual indexation. See the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
Processing times
See the official global visa processing times .
How to apply
- Sponsor application by the child. The Australian child applies first to become an approved Parent Sponsor — this includes income evidence and signing financial obligations.
- Sponsorship approval. Once the sponsorship is approved, the parent can apply for the 870 within 6 years.
- Parent's visa application. The parent applies and provides health insurance, identity, health and character evidence.
- Arrival and ongoing health cover. On grant, the parent must maintain qualifying health insurance for the full visa period.
Frequently asked questions
How is the 870 different from the contributory and non-contributory parent visas?
The 870 is a temporary visa (up to 3 or 5 years per visa, 10 years total). The contributory and non-contributory parent visas (subclasses 143/173/103/804) are permanent — costlier or with very long queues — but they lead to permanent residence. Many families use the 870 to spend time in Australia while a permanent application is processed.
Can my parent work on a 870?
No. Work is not permitted on the 870. It is designed for extended family visits, not employment.
Is there a cap on the number of 870 visas issued?
Yes — the program has an annual cap. Demand can exceed supply, so timing the sponsorship and visa applications matters.
What about health costs? Is Medicare available?
870 holders are not eligible for Medicare. Qualifying private health insurance covering the full stay is a visa requirement.