Subclass 173 and 143
The Subclass 173 and 143 visas are temporary and permanent pathways for parents to reside in Australia with their settled children.
Contributory Parent Visas
The Contributory Parent stream is designed for parents regardless of age. This stream allows for a much faster processing time (approx. 15 years) compared to the 33-year wait of the non-contributory Subclass 103.
The primary difference between the 173 and 143 is the payment structure and residency status. The 173 allows you to spread the high costs over two stages, while the 143 is lodged directly for permanent residency.
Key Factors:
- Balance of Family (BoF) Test: This is a mandatory numerical test. At least half of your children must be eligible children (Australian citizens, PRs, or eligible NZ citizens usually resident in Australia), or more of your eligible children must live in Australia than in any other single country.
- Sponsorship: Must be sponsored by an eligible childor their spouse.
- No Subclass 870: Applicants must not hold or have applied for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Subclass 870 visa.
- Health andCharacter: All applicants and non-migrating family members must meet mandatory standards.
Subclass 173 - Contributory Parent (Temporary)
Applicant Requirements
What it is for: Parents seeking a two-stage, lower-initial-cost pathway to permanent residency.
What it allows: 2-year stay in Australia; full work/study rights; access to Medicare; and the ability to apply for a Subclass 143.
Key Requirements:
- Must satisfy the Balance of Family test.
- Must have an eligible, settled sponsor.
- Must meet health and character standards.
Length of Stay: 2 years.
Work Rights: Unrestricted.
Sponsor Requirements
Eligibility: Must be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key Limitations:
- The sponsor must be settled (usually residing in Australia for at least 2 years).
- If the child is under 18, their spouse or a legal guardian over 18 may act as the sponsor.
- Sponsors must declare any criminal convictions; significant records may result in refusal.
Subclass 143 - Contributory Parent (Permanent)
Applicant Requirements
What it is for: Parents seeking immediate permanent residency via a one-stage payment or transitioning from an 173.
What it allows: Permanent stay; full work and study rights; access to Medicare; and a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Key Requirements:
- Must satisfy the Balance of Family test (unless already holding an 173).
- Must have an eligible, settled sponsor.
- Must meet health and character standards.
Length of Stay: Permanent.
Work Rights: Unrestricted.
Sponsor Requirements
Eligibility: Must be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key Limitations:
- The sponsor must be settled (usually residing in Australia for at least 2 years).
- If the child is under 18, their spouse or a legal guardian over 18 may act as the sponsor (exemptions apply for 173 holders where a sponsor has died).
- Sponsors must declare any criminal convictions; significant records may result in refusal.
CPNC: Contributory Parent Newborn Child
Special provisions exist for children born while a parent holds or held a Subclass 173 visa.
Eligibility: A child born to a parent who holds/held a Subclass 173 visa can apply as a CPNC applicant.
Visa Period: The CPNC child is granted a visa period similar to the parent’s current or previous visa.
Pathway: CPNC holders with a Subclass 173 visa can apply for the Subclass 143 permanent visa alongside their parents.
Conditions: The child can be born inside or outside Australia and must undergo mandatory health checks.
Maintaining compliance
- 884 to 864 Transition: Holders of the884 must apply for the permanent 864 before their 2-year temporary visa expires.
- AoS Commitment: For the 864, the Assurance of Support remains in force for 10 years after the visa is granted (Approx AUD 10,000).
- Bridging Visas: Applicants generally remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa while the 15-year queue progresses.
The 173 & 143 Application Process
Eligibility Audit
Verify the applicant satisfies the Balance of Family test.
Sponsorship & Lodgement
Secure sponsorship from a settled Australian child and lodge the application while the applicant is in or outside Australia.
Queue Assessment
The Department performs an initial assessment against core criteria (BoF, health, and character).
Queue Placement
Once core criteria are met, the application is assigned a "Queue Date" and placed in the official contributory queue.
Final Assessment
When a place becomes available under the annual cap (based on the November 2018 queue release date), the visa is released for final decision and payment of second instalment.
For 173 & 143 Applicants
The Subclass 173 and 143 require strict adherence to the Balance of Family (BoF) test. At Immilex, we assess your family structure and the residency status of your children to ensure this numerical benchmark is logically documented and supported by verifiable evidence.
It is also important to plan for the 15-year processing queue. While significantly faster than the 103 Visa, these visas are still subject to annual capping. Applicants must prepare for the high second instalment costs (approx. AUD43,600 per person). For those looking for a staged financial commitment, the Subclass 173 allows you to pay a lower initial amount and move to the 143 within two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While the 143/173 are not "Aged" specific, parents over 67 can still apply for these streams. If applying onshore, you may be eligible for the 864/884 "Aged" versions which may allow for a Bridging Visa.
Yes. The AUD 10,000 bond (for 143) is held by the bank for 10 years. It is released back to the assurer after this period, provided no social security debts were incurred.
No. You pay the first instalment (application fee) at lodgement. The large second instalment is only requested just before the visa is ready to be granted.
As of 2026, the estimated processing time for new Contributory Parent applications is approximately 7-15 years.
Manage Your Parent Visa with Care
The Parent visa involves complex requirements. Contact us at Immilex for an assessment of your evidence to ensure your application meets the Department's high standards.