Subclass 870 Visa – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa Australia
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
Reunite With Your Children in Australia — Temporarily, But Meaningfully.
Being thousands of kilometres away from your children and grandchildren is never easy. Australia’s Subclass 870 Visa — officially called the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa — was introduced specifically to bridge that distance. It gives parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens a genuine, longer-term way to spend time in Australia without the constant back-and-forth of short visitor stays.
If you have been relying on visitor visas just to see your family, or if you are currently waiting on a permanent Parent visa application that seems to have no end in sight, the Subclass 870 is worth understanding properly. It is not a pathway to permanent residence, but it does allow stays of up to five years at a time — and up to ten years in total — which is a meaningful amount of time to be present in your children and grandchildren’s lives.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents work closely with families navigating the 870 visa process. We understand the emotional stakes involved, and we know how important it is to get the visa application right.
What Is the Subclass 870 Visa?
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) is a temporary visa that allows a parent to live in Australia for an extended period — either three or five years per visa grant — while being sponsored by their Australian-based child.
Unlike a standard visitor visa, the 870 does not require you to keep departing and re-entering every few months. You can stay continuously for the full visa period. It was designed as a response to the long waiting periods associated with permanent parent visas, offering families a practical middle-ground option in the meantime.
The visa works in two stages: first, the Australian child applies to become an approved sponsor. Once that is approved, the parent can then lodge their visa application — and it must be lodged within six months of the sponsorship being approved.
Key features of the Subclass 870 Visa:
- Stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per visa grant
- Total cumulative stay capped at 10 years
- No Balance of Family Test required (unlike permanent parent visas)
- Must be outside Australia when applying (unless invited by the Department of Home Affairs)
- Must depart Australia for at least 90 days before applying for a subsequent 870 visa
- No work rights — visa holders cannot work in Australia
- Health insurance is required for the full duration of the visa
- Up to 15,000 visas available per program year (1 July to 30 June)
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 870 Visa?
Eligibility for the 870 visa is more straightforward than many other parent visa types because there is no Balance of Family Test. You do not need to have more than half of your children living in Australia to qualify.
You may be eligible to apply if you are:
- The biological, adoptive, or step-parent of an approved sponsor
- The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- At least 18 years of age
- Outside Australia at the time of application (unless granted an exemption in writing)
- Able to meet health and character requirements
- Able to provide evidence of adequate health insurance throughout your stay
- Free of any outstanding public health debts to Australia
Step-parents can apply, but the sponsorship relationship is only valid while the step-parent remains in a married or de facto relationship with the biological parent of the sponsor.
Key Benefits of the Subclass 870 Visa
- Extended Time With Family: The most obvious advantage is the length of stay. Up to five years continuously, without needing to depart, is something no visitor visa offers. For grandparents who want to be present for milestones — school events, graduations, births, family celebrations — this continuity matters.
- An Alternative While Waiting on a Permanent Visa: Many parents are already in the queue for a permanent parent visa. Processing times can stretch for many years. The SC 870 gives those applicants a way to actually be in Australia with their family while they wait, rather than spending years apart.
- No Balance of Family Test: Permanent parent visas require that more than half of your children live in Australia. The SC 870 does not impose this test, which opens the pathway for parents who might not otherwise qualify for permanent parent visas on that basis.
- Flexibility Alongside Other Visa Options: Holding a Subclass 870 does not prevent you from also holding a visitor visa or having a permanent parent visa application in progress. These pathways run in parallel, and being on an 870 does not close off your other options.
- Repeat Use Up to 10 Years: Parents can hold 870 visas for a total cumulative period of 10 years. That means two five-year visas, or a combination of three-year and five-year grants, as long as you do not exceed the 10-year cap.
Understanding the Sponsorship Requirements
Before a parent can apply for the 870 visa, their Australian child must apply to become an approved sponsor. This is a separate application with its own requirements and a $420 application fee.
To be approved as a sponsor, the Australian child must:
- Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who has been usually resident in Australia for at least four years
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a taxable income of at least $83,454.80 (this can be a combined income with a spouse or partner)
- Have no adverse character information (unless the Department determines it is reasonable to disregard)
- Have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth or public health debts (or have appropriate repayment arrangements in place)
- Provide police clearances for any country they have spent more than 12 cumulative months in during the past 10 years
- Have met any prior sponsorship obligations from previous sponsorships
- Agree to comply with all ongoing sponsorship obligations
Only two parents per household can be sponsored under this visa at the same time.
Sponsorship Obligations
Becoming a sponsor is not a formality — it carries real, ongoing responsibilities. Sponsors are legally required to:
- Provide financial support and accommodation for their parent in Australia
- Keep and provide records to the Department of Home Affairs when requested (such as proof of income), for up to two years after sponsorship ends
- Notify the Department of certain events, such as being charged with a criminal offence
- Pay any outstanding public health debts incurred by their parent in Australia — this obligation can continue even after the parent has departed and the visa has ceased
If a sponsor fails to meet these obligations, the Department can cancel the sponsorship or bar the sponsor from sponsoring further parents.
Documents Required for the Subclass 870 Visa
For the Sponsor:
- Evidence of Australian citizenship, permanent residence, or eligible New Zealand citizenship
- Evidence of four years of usual residence in Australia
- Tax assessment notices or payslips confirming income
- Police certificates for relevant countries
- Identity documents
For the Visa Applicant (Parent):
- Valid passport
- Evidence of the parent-child relationship (birth certificates, adoption papers, etc.)
- Results of an approved health examination from a panel physician
- Proof of adequate health insurance for the full visa duration
- Police certificates from relevant countries
- Evidence of access to sufficient funds
- Proof that you are outside Australia (or an exemption letter from the Department)
Government & Professional Fees
Subclass 870 Visa Costs
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship Application Fee | $420 * |
| Visa Application Fee at Lodgment (per parent) | $1,215 * |
| Visa Grant Fee — 5-Year Visa (per parent) | $10,925 * |
| Visa Grant Fee — 3-Year Visa (per parent) | $4,855 * |
| Health Assessment (approx, per parent) | $350 – $450 |
| Police Clearances | Varies |
| Migration Republic Professional Fee | $3,000 – $4,000 + GST |
Payment Note: A credit card surcharge of 1.4% applies for Visa, Mastercard, and Amex payments to IMMI. The visa application charge is payable in two instalments — one at lodgment and the remainder prior to visa grant.
Timeline & Availability
Processing Times, Stay Duration & Visa Cap
Subclass 870 Visa Processing Times
Processing times depend on the volume of applications, whether all documents were submitted upfront, and how quickly Health Checks Character Checks are completed.
There is no fixed or guaranteed timeframe. Complete, well-prepared applications progress more smoothly. Our team helps you avoid delays from incomplete submissions.
How Long Can Parents Stay?
Each visa grants 3 Years or 5 Years of continuous stay in Australia. Parents must remain outside for at least 90 Days before applying for a subsequent 870 visa.
Once the 10-year cap is reached, parents must depart or apply for a different visa type.
How Many Visas Are Available Per Year?
The Government caps Subclass 870 visas at 15,000 per year (1 July – 30 June).
If the cap is reached, no further visas are granted until the new program year begins on 1 July.
- Our Visa Process
Our Visa Process
- Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Balance of Family Test for the Subclass 870?
No. Unlike permanent parent visas, the 870 does not require more than half of your children to be living in Australia.
Can a step-parent apply?
Yes, but only if the step-parent is still in a current married or de facto relationship with the biological parent of the sponsor.
Can the parent work in Australia on the 870 visa?
No. The Subclass 870 visa carries a “no work” condition. Visa holders cannot work in Australia.
What happens if the 15,000 annual cap is reached?
Your visa will not be granted until the new program year begins on 1 July. This is why timing and preparation matter.
Does the 870 visa lead to permanent residence?
No. The Subclass 870 is a temporary visa and does not provide a pathway to permanent residence on its own.
Can a sponsor sponsor more than two parents?
No. Only two parents per household can be sponsored at the same time.
- Why Choose Us
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The Subclass 870 visa process involves two separate applications — sponsorship and then the visa itself — each with its own requirements, documents, and fees. Getting either stage wrong can mean delays, additional costs, or a refused application.
We have guided many families through this process. We know what the Department of Home Affairs looks for, we know where applications commonly run into problems, and we know how to put together a submission that gives your family the best possible chance.
Transparent Process with Regular Updates
Navigating the SC 870 process without expert guidance is possible — but it comes with significant risk. A missed document, an incorrectly completed sponsorship stage, or a poorly prepared supporting statement can delay your application, lead to additional costs, or in the worst case, result in a refusal that affects your family’s future options.
High Success Rate with Personalised Service
Every family’s situation is unique. We tailor your SC 870 application based on your relationship with the sponsor, your family’s circumstances, and your long-term residency goals — rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Dedicated Support from Sponsorship to Visa Grant
From the first consultation through sponsorship approval to final visa decision, you receive clear communication, honest advice, and regular updates — no confusion, no hidden steps.
Ready to Apply for the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?
If you are ready to spend real, extended time with your children and grandchildren in Australia — not just a few months at a time, but years — the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa is built for exactly that.
Our MARA-registered agents at Migration Republic are here to make the process clear, manageable, and as smooth as possible for your family.
Book a consultation today and let us help you bring your family closer — properly and confidently.
