Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa: Complete Guide (2026)
Published 2026-02-14
Key Facts — Subclass 870 at a Glance
Visa type: Temporary. Duration: 3 years ($5,735) or 5 years ($11,470). Processing time: 6–12 months. Requires sponsorship by a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Sponsor must meet income threshold (currently taxable income of $83,454.80 for a single sponsor, higher for families). No work rights. No Medicare — private health insurance required for entire stay. Limited to two consecutive grants (maximum 10 years total). Cannot lead directly to permanent residency. Maximum 15,000 visas granted per year.
What is the Subclass 870 Visa?
The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa was introduced in 2019 to give parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents the ability to stay in Australia for extended periods — up to 3 or 5 years at a time, and up to 10 years in total. It fills a gap between short tourist visits (Subclass 600, typically 3–12 months) and the permanent Parent visa (Subclass 143, which has a 12–15 year processing time and costs over $50,000). The 870 allows parents to spend meaningful time in Australia with their families — helping with grandchildren, attending family events, and enjoying extended stays — without the enormous cost and wait time of permanent parent visas. However, it is purely temporary: there are no work rights, no Medicare access, and it does not lead to permanent residency.
Sponsor Requirements
The visa requires a sponsor — your child (or their partner) who is settled in Australia. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, be at least 18 years old, have been settled in Australia for at least 4 years (meaning they have held their citizenship or permanent residency for at least 4 years), and meet the income test. The income test requires a minimum taxable income of $83,454.80 (2025–26, indexed annually). If the sponsor has other family members (partner, children), the threshold increases. If one sponsor doesn't meet the threshold alone, a combined income with their partner may be considered. The sponsor must apply for sponsorship approval before the parent can apply for the visa. Sponsorship approval typically takes 2–6 months. A sponsor can sponsor up to two parents at a time.
Eligibility for Parents
The parent applicant must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor (or their partner). You must be outside Australia when the visa is granted (you can apply from within Australia in some circumstances, but you must be outside Australia for the grant). You must meet health and character requirements — medical examinations and police clearances are required. You must have adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay. You must not have any outstanding debts to the Australian Government. There is no age limit, English requirement, or points test. The visa is designed to be accessible to parents regardless of their skills, age, or language ability.
Costs: 3-Year vs 5-Year Option
The 870 visa has two duration options with significantly different costs. 3-year visa: $5,735 (main applicant). 5-year visa: $11,470 (main applicant). There are no additional applicant fees — each parent applies and pays separately. The visa can be renewed once, giving a maximum of two consecutive grants: two 3-year grants (6 years total, $11,470 total fees), two 5-year grants (10 years total, $22,940 total fees), or one of each (8 years total, $17,205 total fees). After using both grants (maximum 10 years), no further 870 visas can be granted to that parent. Additional costs include: sponsorship application fee ($420), medical examinations ($300–$700), police clearances ($50–$200 per country), and private health insurance ($3,000–$8,000 per year for elderly parents — this is a major ongoing cost).
Health Insurance: A Major Consideration
Parents on the 870 visa have no access to Medicare. Private health insurance covering the entire stay is mandatory and must be maintained continuously. For elderly parents, this is a significant cost — policies covering hospital, medical, and pharmaceutical needs typically cost $3,000–$8,000 per year, depending on age and coverage level. Over a 5-year visa, health insurance alone can cost $15,000–$40,000. The insurance must meet specific requirements set by the Department, including adequate hospital and medical cover. Not all insurance products qualify. The Department publishes a list of adequate health insurance providers and products. If a parent develops a serious health condition during their stay, the insurance costs may increase at renewal, or coverage may become difficult to obtain. This is one of the most important financial considerations for the 870 visa.
870 vs Permanent Parent Visas (143/103)
The 870 temporary visa exists because the permanent parent visa pathway is notoriously slow and expensive. The Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa grants permanent residency but costs $47,955 (main applicant) in government fees alone and takes 12–15 years to process. The Subclass 103 Parent visa is cheaper ($6,990) but takes 29+ years to process. The 870 offers a middle ground: it is relatively quick (6–12 months), moderately priced ($5,735–$11,470), and allows extended stays. But it is temporary, has no work rights, requires expensive health insurance, and has a 10-year maximum. Many families use the 870 while waiting for a permanent parent visa to be processed. Some families decide the 870 is sufficient and do not pursue permanent visas at all. The right choice depends on your family's circumstances, financial situation, and long-term plans.
Living in Australia on the 870
Life on the 870 visa is straightforward but has limitations. No work rights: the parent cannot work in any capacity, including volunteer work for an organisation. No Medicare: all medical expenses are covered by private insurance (or out of pocket for items not covered). No study: the parent can study for up to 3 months. No pathway to PR: the 870 cannot be used to apply for permanent residency while in Australia. The parent can travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa validity period. Many parents on the 870 play important family roles — helping with grandchildren, supporting their adult children, and enjoying family life in Australia. The visa is genuinely designed for this purpose, and the Department recognises its value for family unity.
Application Process
Step 1: Sponsor applies for sponsorship approval (separate application, $420 fee). Step 2: Sponsor is approved (2–6 months processing). Step 3: Parent lodges visa application through ImmiAccount ($5,735 or $11,470). Step 4: Parent provides supporting documents — passport, evidence of parent-child relationship, health insurance policy, police clearances, and any other requested documents. Step 5: Parent completes medical examinations. Step 6: Wait for processing (6–12 months). Step 7: Visa is granted — parent must be outside Australia for the grant. Step 8: Parent travels to Australia within the specified travel date. Plan ahead: the total process from sponsorship application to visa grant can take 8–18 months.
When to Use a Migration Agent
The 870 visa is moderately complex — the sponsor and parent both have separate requirements to meet, and the health insurance and income test requirements need careful attention. A migration agent can help ensure the sponsorship application is properly prepared, advise on the best duration option, help navigate health insurance requirements, and coordinate the timing of the application process. Agent fees for the 870 typically range from $2,000–$4,000. If you are also considering permanent parent visas alongside the 870, an agent can help you understand the full picture. Search our directory at /migration-agents for agents specialising in parent and family visas. Verify any agent's MARA registration at /tools/mara-check.
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