Australia Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa (Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870)
If you would like your parents to live with you in Australia for the long term but do not want to wait years in the queue for a permanent parent migration visa, the Australia Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa is currently one of the most flexible solutions available.
It has been one of the most popular Australian parent visa options in recent years, particularly suited to families pursuing a “reunite first, plan for permanent residency later” strategy. NewStars has deep experience in Australian study-abroad and migration services and can help you complete your Subclass 870 application efficiently while reducing refusal risk.
Free Assessment →Leave your details and we will be in touch
Fill in the form below with your situation and what you need, and the Newstars team will get back to you.
What is the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?
The Australia Subclass 870 Visa (Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870) is a temporary parent visa that allows eligible parents to reside in Australia continuously for up to 10 years.
Key features:
Stay up to 10 years
Stay in Australia for up to 10 years (issued as either a 3-year or 5-year visa).
No traditional queue
No need to enter the conventional parent migration queue, avoiding the lengthy wait.
Multiple entries
Multiple entries permitted, giving families flexibility to plan travel and reunions.
Reunite first
Suited to families who want long-term parental company without enduring the multi-year wait of the Subclass 143 visa.
Subclass 870 Application Requirements
Subclass 870 assessments focus on both the sponsor and the applicant. Every requirement must be fully prepared before lodgement.
1. Sponsor (Child) Identity Requirements
- Must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Lawfully resident in Australia for at least 4 years (continuous or cumulative)
- At least 18 years of age
Sponsor Income Threshold (Critical)
- The sponsor must meet the Minimum Household Taxable Income requirement
- Taxable income for the most recent completed income year before the sponsorship is lodged must be at least AUD83,454.80
- Income must be evidenced through Australian Taxation Office (ATO) records (such as a Notice of Assessment)
- If individual income is insufficient, it can be combined with that of a partner or another child of the applicant; when combining, your own taxable income must be at least 50 per cent of the threshold
- The income requirement must be met at the time of application and may need to continue to be met throughout the sponsorship period
Other Sponsor Requirements
- No serious criminal record
- No history of breaching migration sponsorship obligations
- Concurrent sponsorship is capped (generally up to 2 parents)
2. Applicant (Parent) Identity and Age
- Must be the biological parent or step-parent of the sponsor
- May also be the parent of the sponsor’s spouse or de facto partner, provided that partner is also an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- At least 18 years of age
Applicant Health and Character Requirements
- Meet the Department of Home Affairs health requirement (medical examination)
- Provide a police clearance (character requirement)
Applicant Obligations While in Australia
- Must hold compliant Australian health insurance (OVHC) for the duration of the visa
- Explicitly undertake not to work while in Australia
Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa Process Explained
The Subclass 870 application is split into two stages: sponsor approval, then visa application.
Sponsor Application (Sponsor Approval)
- The sponsor lodges a sponsorship application with the Department of Home Affairs
- Provide identity documents, income evidence (ATO assessments) and family relationship documents
- Assessment generally takes several months
Visa Application (Visa Application)
- Once sponsorship is approved, the parent must lodge the visa application within 6 months
- Submit health checks, police clearances and proof of insurance
- Pay the visa application charge (varies between the 3-year and 5-year options)
Visa Approval and Entry to Australia
- Once approved, parents may enter Australia
- Further visas may be applied for as needed, but cumulative stay must not exceed 10 years
- Note: a period offshore is generally required between visa grants before reapplying
Subclass 870 Charges and the Sponsorship Fee
The Department’s current charges are below.
The visa charge is paid in two instalments: the first when you apply, the second when the Department asks for it.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application charge | AUD420.00 | Paid when the child lodges the sponsorship |
| Subclass 870 visa charge · up to 3 years | AUD6,370.00 | Per parent, in two instalments |
| Subclass 870 visa charge · up to 5 years | AUD12,440.00 | Per parent, in two instalments |
Health checks, police certificates and biometrics are additional.
The Department does not publish a fixed processing time; use its official processing-times tool for the current range.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), checked 12 August 2026; processing times via the Department’s visa processing times tool. Figures are current as at the build date — always confirm against the Department’s latest published information.
Not ready to commit to the 870?
Since August 2026, 600 visitor visas granted to parents have carried shorter validity and shorter stay periods, with condition 8503 attached.
Two other routes remain, depending on how much validity is left on their visa.
Why choose the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?
Compared with permanent parent migration pathways such as the Subclass 143, the Subclass 870 offers greater flexibility on queueing, cost and timing, and is currently one of the most mainstream pathways for parent reunion in Australia.
Subclass 870 Core Advantages
- No multi-year queue (compared with Subclass 143 parent migration)
- Faster processing relative to permanent options
- No tens-of-thousands-of-dollars contributory parent fee
- Choice of a 3-year or 5-year stay period
- One of the most mainstream Australian parent reunion visa pathways available today
Assess Your Subclass 870 Eligibility Now
Reuniting with your parents in Australia no longer has to take years. Contact NewStars today for a professional Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa assessment and application plan:
- Free eligibility assessment
- Precise income-threshold calculation
- Document checklist and timeline planning
- Fast-tracked start to your application
Get in touch now so your parents can reunite with you in Australia sooner.
Free Assessment Now →Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
1. Which families is the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa suited to? Is there a “best-fit scenario”?
The Subclass 870 is best suited to families in the following situations:
- The child has only recently obtained PR or citizenship and the Subclass 143 long-term plan is not yet a fit
- Families who do not want to pay the high contributory parent migration fees (such as the Subclass 143)
- Families who want their parents to reunite with them in Australia as soon as possible rather than waiting years in a queue
- Families planning to transition later to another parent migration pathway (using the Subclass 870 as a “bridge visa”)
In practice, the Subclass 870 works very well as a “trade time for room to plan” strategic tool — reunite first, then decide on the next migration step based on family income, policy changes and other factors.
2. Can elderly parents or those with chronic illnesses apply for the Subclass 870?
Yes — the key question is whether they can pass the Australian health requirement.
Practical points to consider:
- Chronic conditions (such as hypertension or diabetes) are generally not a barrier
- Serious illnesses (such as cancer or organ failure) may affect the outcome
- Health-risk assessment focuses on whether the condition would place a burden on the Australian healthcare system
Because Subclass 870 holders do not access Medicare and must take out private health insurance, some medical risks can effectively be “risk-transferred” under policy. We recommend a pre-application health screening so the medical examination stage does not catch you off guard.
3. Will an unstable sponsor income affect the Subclass 870 application?
No. In law, the case officer looks at whether the sponsor’s taxable income for the most recent completed financial year meets the requirement. The Department’s wording is that taxable income for the most recent completed taxable income year prior to the date the sponsorship application is lodged must be at least AUD83,454.80. Whether that income is “stable” is not a legal criterion.
In practice the question worth weighing is cost: parents must hold private health insurance at their own expense once in Australia, and the Subclass 870 charges are substantial (AUD6,370 for three years, AUD12,440 for five). Balance how much time the family wants together against what it can comfortably afford.
4. Can parents enter and leave Australia freely while on a Subclass 870 visa?
Yes. The Subclass 870 is generally a multiple-entry visa, allowing parents to come and go from Australia during the visa validity period.
A few points to keep in mind:
- Each entry still has to satisfy the visa conditions
- Health insurance must remain valid at all times
- Long absences from Australia may affect future renewal assessments
When planning a long-term stay, factor travel plans and visa periods into the same timeline.
5. After a Subclass 870 expires, how long must the holder remain offshore before reapplying?
Several firm limits apply when reapplying:
- Cumulative time in Australia is capped at 10 years
- A maximum of two Subclass 870 visas can be applied for
- The holder must leave Australia when each Subclass 870 visa expires
- On the second Subclass 870 application, the Department assesses the overall pattern of residence
We recommend planning the next steps during the first Subclass 870 period rather than waiting until expiry.
6. What is the difference between the Subclass 870 and the Subclass 600 visitor visa, and which one fits better?
The two differ substantially:
Subclass 600 Visitor Visa (Family Visit)
- Short stay (typically 3–12 months)
- Faster approval, but not suited to long-term residence
- May require frequent renewals
Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa
- Long stay (up to 10 years)
- More stable, suited to family reunion
- Stricter sponsorship and income requirements
In short:
- Short-term family visit → Subclass 600
- Long-term company → Subclass 870
7. How long does a Subclass 870 application typically take?
Based on current case experience:
- Sponsor approval: approximately 2–4 months
- Visa approval: approximately 3–6 months
Overall timeline is typically around 5–10 months, depending on:
- Completeness of documentation
- Case complexity
- Department of Home Affairs processing speed
The better-prepared the documentation, the more predictable the overall timeline.
Plan Your Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa Application Now
Reuniting with your parents in Australia no longer has to take years. NewStars provides eligibility assessment, income calculation, document checklists and end-to-end case management — get in touch for a professional Subclass 870 application plan.
Get a Free Assessment →
