Do you want your parents to live with you in Australia, even for a few years? The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa lets you do this. It gives your mum or dad a long stay in Australia without the long wait of the permanent parent visa queue.
This guide explains who can apply, how much it costs, how long it lasts, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What Is the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa?
The Subclass 870 visa is a temporary visa. It lets the parent of an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia for a set period.
The visa is granted for either 3 years or 5 years at a time. It does not lead to permanent residency on its own. A parent can hold this visa while a separate permanent parent visa application, such as the 103 or 143, sits in the queue.
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa?
Two people are involved in this visa: the sponsor (the child in Australia) and the applicant (the parent). Both must meet certain rules.
Sponsor Eligibility
- Must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have usually lived in Australia for at least 4 years
- Must meet an income test set by the Department of Home Affairs
- Can sponsor a maximum of two parents at one time
- Must have no outstanding debts to the Australian government, or a payment plan in place
Parent (Applicant) Eligibility
- Must be the biological parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, or parent-in-law of an approved sponsor
- Must meet health requirements
- Must meet character requirements
- Must hold health insurance that covers the full stay in Australia
How Long Can You Stay on the 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa?
The visa can be granted for up to 3 years or up to 5 years per grant. A parent can apply again after their visa ends. The maximum time a parent can spend in Australia on this visa is 10 years in total, across their lifetime.
If a parent wants to apply again after their visa expires, they usually need to be outside Australia for at least 90 days first. This does not apply if they hold a Permission to Apply in Australia.
Subclass 870 Visa Cost in 2026
The visa application charge changes each year, usually in July. As of mid-2026, the cost sits at roughly:
- Around AUD 6,000–6,400 for a 3-year visa
- Around AUD 12,100–12,500 for a 5-year visa
This fee is paid to the Department of Home Affairs. It does not include health insurance, health checks, police checks, or biometrics, which are extra costs. Always check the official visa pricing estimator on the Home Affairs website for the exact current fee before you budget.
The Two-Step Application Process
Applying for the 870 visa happens in two separate steps.
Step 1: Sponsorship Approval
The sponsor (the child) applies first. The Department reviews the sponsor’s eligibility, income, and history. This step usually takes 1 to 2 months.
Step 2: Visa Application
Once sponsorship is approved, the parent submits their visa application. This includes health checks, police certificates, and proof of health insurance. Processing at this stage can take several months.
Documents Required
- Proof of the sponsor’s citizenship or residency status
- Proof of the family relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, adoption papers)
- Health insurance policy documents
- Police clearance certificates from every country the parent lived in for 12 months or more
- Health examination results
- Proof of the sponsor’s income
- Passport and identity documents for the applicant
Health Insurance Requirement
Parents on the 870 visa cannot access Medicare in the normal way. Health insurance is a visa condition, not an option. The visa carries condition 8501, which requires the holder to keep adequate health insurance for the whole stay in Australia.
Families should compare policies early, since the cost of health cover across 3 or 5 years adds up and should be part of the overall budget.
Processing Time
Combined processing across both stages usually takes between 6 and 12 months. Sponsorship approval tends to move faster than the visa application stage, which involves health and character checks.
Benefits of the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
- Much faster than the permanent parent visa queue, which can run 10 to 30+ years
- No Balance of Family Test, unlike some permanent parent visa options
- Parents can travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa period
- Up to two parents can be sponsored at the same time
- Gives real time with family while a permanent visa application (if lodged separately) moves through the queue
Important Limitation: No Path to Permanent Residency
This is the most important point for families to understand before applying.
The Subclass 870 visa does not lead to permanent residency by itself. Some migration advice also notes that applying for or holding an 870 visa can affect eligibility for certain permanent parent visa categories. Because this decision has long-term effects on a family’s options, it is worth getting advice from a registered migration agent before choosing between a temporary or permanent parent visa pathway.
870 Visa vs Permanent Parent Visa (103/143)
| Feature | Subclass 870 | Permanent Parent Visa (103/143) |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Temporary stay only | Permanent residency |
| Wait time | Months | Often 10+ years |
| Medicare access | No (private health insurance required) | Yes, once granted |
| Maximum stay | 10 years total (cumulative) | Unlimited |
| Cost | Lower upfront visa charge | Higher visa charge, paid in stages |
Common Mistakes Families Make
- Applying for the 870 without first checking how it affects permanent parent visa eligibility
- Underestimating the ongoing cost of health insurance over 3 or 5 years
- Missing the 90-day outside-Australia rule when reapplying
- Submitting incomplete police certificates from every country of residence
- Not checking the sponsor’s income eligibility before starting the process
Why Work With a MARA-Registered Migration Agent
Parent visa rules change often, and a small paperwork error can delay a decision by months. A MARA-registered migration agent checks sponsor eligibility, prepares documents correctly, and tracks each stage of the application so nothing is missed.
If you are weighing the 870 visa against a permanent parent visa pathway, a registered agent can walk you through both options based on your family’s situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my parent work on the 870 visa?
The 870 is built for family time, not employment. Check the specific conditions attached to the grant before your parent makes any work plans.
Can I sponsor both my parents at once?
Yes, a sponsor can support up to two parents at the same time, as long as the income requirement is met.
Does the 870 visa give access to Medicare?
No. Parents on this visa need private health insurance for the length of their stay.
What happens after 10 years on the 870 visa?
The parent must leave Australia or apply for another visa that allows them to stay, since the 870 has a lifetime cap of 10 years.
Is the 870 visa a good idea if I want my parent to get permanent residency later?
It depends on your family’s long-term plans. Speak with a registered migration agent before deciding, since the choice can affect future permanent visa options.
Final Thoughts
The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa is one of the fastest ways to bring a parent to Australia for an extended stay. It suits families who want real time together now, rather than waiting years in the permanent parent visa queue.
Because the decision carries long-term consequences, it is worth getting proper advice before you apply. Book a free consultation with a MARA-registered migration agent to check your eligibility and plan the right pathway for your family.
