Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa: What It Can and Can't Do

The Subclass 870 can get your parent into Australia within roughly seven to twelve months. That speed is its main selling point. What it cannot do is lead to permanent residency — and most families who start researching it don't realize this until they've already become attached to the idea.

Understanding exactly what the 870 does and doesn't offer, who it's suitable for, and how it fits alongside the permanent pathway options is essential before committing to it.

What the Subclass 870 Is

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa Subclass 870 is a temporary visa that allows parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live in Australia for extended periods. It grants stays of 3 or 5 years and can be renewed once, allowing a total maximum stay of 10 cumulative years.

It is explicitly designed as a long-term temporary option, not a stepping stone. The Department's position is clear: there is no mechanism to convert an 870 into a permanent parent visa. A parent who wants permanent residency after holding an 870 must meet all the requirements for the 143 or 103 from scratch, including the Balance of Family test — which is not required for the 870 itself.

Who the 870 Is Designed For

Three types of families use the 870:

Families where the parent cannot meet the Balance of Family test. The 870 does not require the parent to show that half their children are in Australia. If a parent has five children — two in Australia, one in India, one in the UK, one in Canada — they fail the BoF test for the 143 or 103. The 870 is the only long-term stay option available to them.

Families using the 870 while waiting for a permanent visa. Some families lodge a 143 and simultaneously apply for an 870, allowing the parent to be present in Australia for years while the permanent queue progresses. This is legally permissible, but the parent must maintain the 870's conditions (private health insurance, no work) and must still meet the 143's separate requirements when that application reaches the front of the queue.

Families not seeking permanent residency. Parents who want to spend extended time with family but have no intention of settling permanently in Australia — perhaps because they maintain property and ties in their home country — find the 870 suitable for their needs.

Sponsor Requirements

The 870 imposes stricter sponsor requirements than the permanent pathways in one important respect: the sponsor must have a higher income threshold and a longer period of settled residence.

The income requirement is a real constraint. A sponsor earning below $83,454.80 is not eligible to sponsor a parent on an 870. There is no provision for a joint sponsor arrangement (as exists for the Assurance of Support on permanent visas), meaning the income test falls entirely on the named sponsor.

A sponsor can sponsor a maximum of two parents simultaneously.

What the Parent Can and Cannot Do

Cannot do:

• Work in Australia in any capacity. The 870 carries a strict work prohibition, and breach of this condition can result in visa cancellation.
• Access Medicare. As a temporary visa holder without a reciprocal healthcare agreement entitlement, the parent is not eligible for Medicare and must maintain comprehensive private health insurance throughout their stay.
• Apply onshore for a permanent parent visa from within Australia (except if they hold a 143 or 103 application already lodged).

Can do:

• Study
• Travel in and out of Australia freely
• Access private healthcare using their own insurance

The private health insurance requirement is a cost that families often underestimate. Comprehensive cover for an elderly parent in Australia — particularly one with existing health conditions — can run $3,000 to $6,000 per year or more. Over a 5-year visa, this adds $15,000 to $30,000 to the total cost of keeping a parent in Australia on the 870.

The 90-Day Break Rule

After a parent has held an 870 visa (or multiple 870 visas) totaling their first grant period (e.g., a 5-year visa), they must spend at least 90 consecutive days outside Australia before they can apply for a second 870 visa.

This is a frequently misunderstood requirement. It does not mean the parent cannot leave and re-enter Australia during their visa period — they can travel freely. The 90-day break applies specifically between visa grants, not between individual trips. But it is a genuine interruption that families need to plan around: a parent who wants to remain continuously in Australia cannot do so across the gap between their first and second 870 visa.

The 90-day break must be consecutive, not cumulative. Spending 45 days overseas, returning briefly, then leaving again for 45 days does not satisfy the requirement.

Fees

There is no Assurance of Support requirement for the 870 — which is a meaningful difference from the permanent pathways. The total cost of the 870 is therefore considerably lower than the contributory permanent visas, though the health insurance costs add meaningfully to the long-term expense.

Application Process

The 870 is lodged online through ImmiAccount. Processing typically takes 7 to 12 months for a straightforward application. The parent must be outside Australia at the time of application (unlike some onshore parent visa options).

The sponsor must provide income evidence (most recent Notice of Assessment or payslips), proof of their settled status in Australia, and evidence of the family relationship. The parent must provide evidence of private health insurance and undergo a health examination.

When the 870 Does Not Make Sense

The 870 is not the right tool for every family. Specifically, it does not make sense if:

• The parent wants to work — the work prohibition is absolute.
• The family's long-term goal is permanent residency and the parent can pass the Balance of Family test — in this case, lodging a 143 now is more productive.
• The sponsor earns below $83,454.80 — they are simply ineligible.
• The parent has significant health conditions that would make private insurance expensive or unavailable.

The 870 as Part of a Broader Strategy

For families simultaneously pursuing a permanent visa, the 870 can serve as a practical bridge. A parent who will spend a decade waiting for a 143 grant does not need to wait in their home country if the family can fund the 870's costs and insurance requirements. The parent can be present in Australia, supporting the family, while the permanent queue progresses.

The key constraint to track in this scenario: if the parent is on an 870 when the 143 application reaches the front of the queue, they will need to depart Australia and re-enter as the offshore permanent visa requires. The timing of this departure and re-entry should be planned carefully with the Department's communications in mind.

For a detailed breakdown of how the 870 fits with the permanent pathway and the financial modeling across different scenarios, the Australia Parent Visa Guide covers the combined strategy in full.

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