Sponsored Parent Visa 870 Australia 2026: Cost, 3-Year, 5-Year and 10-Year Rules

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa subclass 870 allows eligible parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to spend extended periods with family in Australia without using the permanent Parent visa queue.

It is a temporary visa. It does not itself lead to permanent residence, and Home Affairs states that a person cannot apply for a permanent or temporary Parent visa while they have applied for or hold subclass 870.

Subclass 870 visa cost in 2026

Home Affairs currently lists the visa application cost from AUD6,370 for a visa of up to 3 years and AUD12,440 for a visa of up to 5 years. The visa charge is paid in two instalments.

The separate Parent Sponsorship application currently costs AUD420.

Other costs can include health examinations, police certificates and biometrics. Eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens may qualify for a lower visa application cost for valid applications lodged from 1 July 2026.

How long can a parent stay?

A subclass 870 can be granted for up to 3 or 5 years. A parent may later obtain further subclass 870 visas, but the cumulative maximum stay under this visa program is 10 years.

After the cumulative 10-year maximum is reached, the person is not eligible for another subclass 870.

Another 870 visa and the 90-day rule

Home Affairs states that a person applying for another subclass 870 from outside Australia generally needs to have been outside Australia for at least 90 consecutive days since the relevant departure day, unless a specific permission arrangement applies.

Sponsorship must come first

The parent must have an approved Parent Sponsor before the visa application can be lodged.

The sponsor's household is limited to one sponsorship at a time and the sponsorship can cover up to two parents per household.

The visa application normally needs to be lodged within 6 months of sponsorship approval, or within 60 days where Home Affairs has granted Permission to Apply in Australia.

Parent Sponsor income test

Home Affairs currently states that the Parent Sponsor's taxable income for the most recently completed taxable income year must be at least AUD83,454.80.

Where the sponsor cannot meet that amount alone, income can be combined with a partner and/or another eligible child of the prospective visa applicant, subject to the Department's rules. If income is combined, the sponsor's own taxable income must still be at least 50 per cent of the specified amount.

Can the parent work in Australia?

No. Subclass 870 holders are not permitted to work in Australia. Home Affairs does permit limited unpaid activities such as caring for grandchildren in a domestic setting and certain non-commercial volunteer work, but not unpaid work in a commercial environment or family business.

Health insurance

The visa holder must maintain adequate health insurance arrangements with an Australian health insurance provider for unforeseen medical treatment while in Australia.

No balance of family test

Unlike the permanent Parent visa subclasses 103, 143, 804 and 864, the subclass 870 does not require the balance of family test or an Assurance of Support.

Does subclass 870 lead to permanent residence?

No. Home Affairs expressly describes subclass 870 as a temporary visa that does not lead to permanent residence.

A person considering both temporary and permanent Parent pathways should plan the timing carefully because a person cannot apply for a permanent or temporary Parent visa while they have applied for or hold subclass 870.

For permanent Parent visa options, compare subclass 143 and subclass 864 and our broader Parent Visa Australia comparison.

Official source

See the current Home Affairs subclass 870 guidance for the latest eligibility, cost and sponsorship rules.

Important

This article provides general information only. Visa costs and eligibility rules can change, so confirm the current requirements before lodging.