Visitor Visa for Parents: The Faster Alternative to Parent Visa Australia

 

 

Sarah was stuck in an impossible situation. Her mother had just been diagnosed with early-stage dementia in Malaysia. Sarah wanted her mother close by in Melbourne where she could monitor her care and spend precious time together while her mother still recognized her.

But Sarah couldn’t afford the $47,000 contributory parent visa. And the 30-year queue for the non-contributory option? That was completely off the table.

“I felt helpless,” Sarah told me. “I couldn’t afford to bring my mother permanently, but I couldn’t stand being 7,000 kilometers away while she was declining.” Then Sarah discovered there was another option she hadn’t considered, visitor visas designed specifically for parents who want to spend extended time in Australia with their children. Within 6 weeks, her mother was living with her in Melbourne.

If you’re in a similar situation—you want your parents in Australia but can’t navigate the expensive or impossibly slow parent visa pathways—this guide is for you.

What Are Your Visitor Visa Options for Parents?

When most people think “visitor visa,” they imagine a basic tourist visa for a few weeks of vacation. But Australia actually offers several visitor visa options, including ones specifically designed for parents who want to spend extended periods with their Australian resident children.

Here are your main options:

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist Stream

• Stay: Up to 12 months (usually 3-6 months granted)
• Processing: 2-4 weeks typically
• Work: Not permitted
• Best for: Short visits, testing living in Australia

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Sponsored Family Stream

• Stay: Up to 12 months
• Processing: 4-8 weeks
• Work: Not permitted
• Best for: Longer family visits with your sponsorship

Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)

• Stay: 3 or 5 years (renewable once for max 10 years total)
• Processing: 6-12 months
• Work: Not permitted
• Best for: Long-term temporary solution

Let me break down when each option makes sense.

The Tourist Stream Visitor Visa: Quick Visits

This is the standard tourist visa that anyone can apply for to visit Australia.

How it works:

Your parents apply online, showing they want to visit Australia for tourism. They don’t necessarily need your sponsorship (though it can strengthen the application).

What you need:

• Passport copies
• Evidence of funds to support themselves during visit
• Proof of ties to home country (job, property, family remaining there)
• Reason for visit (visiting you counts)
• Travel insurance
• Health insurance (highly recommended)

Application fee: $145-$365 depending on whether applied online or on paper

Processing time: Usually 2-4 weeks, though it can be faster or slower

Granted stay: Typically 3-6 months, though you can request up to 12 months

The catch: Immigration wants to see your parents will definitely return home. They’re looking for:

• Employment they’ll return to
• Property or assets in home country
• Other family members remaining at home
• Return flight tickets
• Limited previous time spent in Australia

If immigration thinks your parents might overstay or try to remain in Australia permanently, the visa will be refused.

When to choose this option:

Your parents want to visit for a few weeks or months 

They’re not ready to stay long-term 

You want them to experience Australia before committing to a parent visa 

You need them here quickly for a specific event (wedding, birth of grandchild, medical emergency) 

You’re saving for a contributory parent visa and want them to visit while you wait

Real example:

The Chen family brought Mrs. Chen to Australia for 6 months on a tourist visa while they saved for her contributory parent visa. She stayed for Christmas and Chinese New Year, helped when their baby was born, then returned home. Two years later, when they’d saved enough, they applied for her permanent parent visa. The earlier visitor visa didn’t hurt their parent visa application at all.

The Sponsored Family Stream: Your Active Support

This is still a Subclass 600 visa, but with your sponsorship as their Australian resident child, it can be stronger and potentially allow longer stays.

The difference from tourist stream:

You, as an Australian citizen or permanent resident, formally sponsor your parent’s visit. This adds credibility to their application because:

• You’re guaranteeing they have accommodation
• You’re confirming you’ll support them financially if needed
• Immigration sees family ties making return home more likely (other children, property, etc.)

As a sponsor, you need to provide:

• Proof of your citizenship/residency status
• Evidence you can financially support them during the visit
• Statutory declaration of your support
• Details of where they’ll stay (your home address)

When to choose sponsored family stream:

• Your parents have limited funds of their own
• You want to support a longer stay (closer to 12 months)
• Your parents have strong ties back home that prove they’ll return 
• Previous tourist visa applications were questioned

The sponsorship doesn’t guarantee approval, but it strengthens the application by showing:

• They have support in Australia
• They have family reasons to visit
• You’re taking responsibility for their stay

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870): The Game-Changer

This is the option most people don’t know exists, and it can be a complete game-changer for families.

Introduced in 2019, the Subclass 870 visa is specifically designed for parents who want to spend years, not months, with their Australian resident children.

Here’s how it works:

You apply to be an approved sponsor first. This is separate from the visa application itself.

Sponsor requirements:

• Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Must have taxable income of at least $83,454.80 in the most recent financial year
• Have to pay a sponsorship fee: $420

Once approved as a sponsor, your parent can then apply for the actual visa.

Visa options:

3-year visa:

• Total cost: ~$5,000
• Can be renewed once (for 3 more years or 5 years)
• Maximum total stay: 8 years over multiple visas

5-year visa:

• Total cost: ~$10,000
• Can be renewed once (for 3 or 5 more years)
• Maximum total stay: 10 years

Processing time: Currently 6-12 months from application to decision

The requirements:

Your parent must:

• Have comprehensive health insurance for the entire stay (not Medicare eligible)
• Meet health and character requirements
• Have no dependent children (other than those also coming to Australia)
• Not have an outstanding debt to the Australian government

The major conditions:

 Cannot work in Australia 

Cannot access most social security payments 

 Not eligible for Medicare (must have private health insurance) 

Cannot study for more than 3 months 

Must leave Australia when visa expires (cannot apply onshore for another visa)

When this visa makes perfect sense:

 You want your parents living with you long-term but can’t afford contributory parent visa ($47,000+) 

 Your parents aren’t ready to commit to permanent migration 

You earn at least $83,455 per year 

You can help your parents with health insurance costs (~$2,000-5,000 per year) 

Your parents are happy not working

Real-life example:

The Martinez family couldn’t afford the contributory parent visa but desperately wanted to help care for their aging father after their mother passed away. They sponsored him on a 5-year Subclass 870 visa.

For $10,000, plus roughly $3,000/year in health insurance, their father has lived with them for the past 4 years. He helps with the grandchildren, has stability and family support, and they avoid the heartbreak of him aging alone overseas.

In two more years, they may have saved enough for a contributory parent visa. Or they may renew the 870 for another period. The flexibility gives them options.

Comparing Your Options: What Makes Sense?

Let me lay this out clearly so you can decide:

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TOURIST STREAM (Subclass 600) if:

• You want parents to visit for weeks/months
• Quick processing is important (2-4 weeks)
• Budget is very limited ($145-365)
• Parents have strong ties to home country
• Testing whether parents would like living in Australia

SPONSORED FAMILY STREAM (Subclass 600) if:

• You want to support a longer visit (6-12 months)
• Your parents have limited finances
• You want to strengthen their application with your support
• Similar to tourist stream but with your backing

PARENT TEMPORARY VISA (Subclass 870) if:

• You want parents to stay for years, not months
• You earn $83,455+ annually
• You can afford $5,000-10,000 upfront plus health insurance
• Parents don’t need to work
• You’re not ready for permanent parent visa commitment or cost

CONTRIBUTORY PARENT VISA (Subclass 143/173) if:

• You want permanent solution
• Can afford ~$47,000 per parent
• Want parents to have Medicare access
• Want them to be able to work if desired
• Ready for 2-4 year processing time

The Strategic Approach: Combining Visa Options

Here’s what many smart families do:

Phase 1:

Bring parents on tourist visa (Subclass 600) for 6-12 months while you:

• See if parents actually enjoy living in Australia
• Test family dynamics of living together
• Save money for next step
• Cost: $145-365

Phase 2:

Apply for Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 870) for 3-5 years while you:

• Continue saving for contributory parent visa
• Enjoy extended time together
• Confirm parents want to stay permanently
• Cost: $5,000-10,000

Phase 3:

Apply for Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) for permanent residency

• Now you’ve saved the $47,000 needed
• Parents are certain they want to stay
• You’ve proven you can live together successfully
• Cost: $47,000+

This phased approach means:

• Your parents can be with you within weeks/months, not years
• You spread the costs over time
• Everyone makes informed decisions
• No family is separated during the saving/processing period

Total timeline: Parents with you throughout the 2-10 year journey, rather than waiting overseas

The Health Insurance Requirement (Critical for Subclass 870)

If you go with the Subclass 870 visa, health insurance is mandatory and can be expensive.

What you need:

• Comprehensive health insurance that covers all medical care except pre-existing conditions
• Must be maintained for the entire visa period
• Cannot rely on Medicare (parents won’t be eligible)

Expected costs:

• Single parent: $2,000-4,000 per year
• Couple: $4,000-8,000 per year
• Cost increases with age and any health conditions

Recommended insurers that specialize in parent visitor insurance:

• Bupa
• Medibank
• NIB
• Australian Unity

Important: Shop around. Prices vary significantly, and not all policies are equal. Make sure the policy:

• Covers hospital and medical
• Has reasonable excess amounts
• Covers ambulance
• Provides adequate coverage limits

The health insurance cost is often overlooked but can add up to $20,000-40,000 over a 5-10 year period. Factor this into your budgeting.

What About Working from Home Country While Visiting?

Here’s a common question: “Can my parent work remotely for their employer back home while visiting me in Australia?”

The technical answer: Visitor visa conditions say “no work permitted.”

The practical reality: Working remotely for an overseas employer while visiting Australia is a grey area. The visa condition is really about working for Australian employers or displacing Australian workers.

My recommendation:

• Don’t declare remote work in the visa application (it may cause confusion or refusal)
• Keep the work arrangement very low-key
• Ensure all payment goes to foreign bank accounts
• Don’t make it obvious or public
• If asked by border control, be honest that they occasionally check emails for their overseas job

This isn’t legal advice just practical reality from years of working with families.

Common Mistakes That Get Visitor Visas Refused

Mistake #1: Not showing strong ties to home country

Immigration needs confidence your parents will return home. Weak applications look like:

• “They’ll stay with me in Australia”
• No mention of property, job, family remaining at home
• No return flight booked
• Minimal funds in their bank account

Strong applications show:

• Property owned in home country
• Other children/grandchildren remaining at home
• Employment or business to return to
• Return flights already booked
• Consistent travel history (they’ve visited other countries and returned home)

Mistake #2: Applying for too long a stay on first tourist visa

If your parents have never visited Australia before, asking for 12 months looks suspicious. Start with 3-6 months. Build a track record of:

• Entering Australia
• Respecting visa conditions
• Leaving before visa expires
• Returning home

Then on subsequent applications, longer stays are more credible.

Mistake #3: Not having adequate health insurance

Even though it’s not technically mandatory for Subclass 600, not having health insurance is risky. If your parent gets sick or injured in Australia:

• Medical costs are expensive (emergency room visit: $1,000+)
• Immigration may question if you can truly support them
• Creates stress and financial burden

Always get visitor health insurance. It costs $50-150 per month and is worth every cent.

Mistake #4: Previous visa overstays

If your parent has ever overstayed a visa in ANY country, it will hurt their application. Be upfront about it, provide explanations, but understand it creates scrutiny.

Mistake #5: Inconsistent financial evidence

If your parent’s bank statement shows $2,000 but suddenly gets a $20,000 deposit a week before applying, immigration will notice. They’re looking for:

• Consistent balance over months
• Realistic income matching their employment
• Not just “borrowed money for the application”

Your Decision Framework

Still not sure which option is right for your situation? Use this framework:

How long do you want your parents to stay?

• Short visits (1-6 months) → Tourist visa (Subclass 600)
• Extended stays (1-3 years) → Parent temporary visa (Subclass 870)
• Permanent → Contributory parent visa (Subclass 143)

What’s your budget?

• Under $500 → Tourist visa
• $5,000-10,000 available → Subclass 870
• $47,000+ available → Contributory parent visa

How urgent is the timeline?

• Need them here in 2-4 weeks → Tourist visa
• Can wait 6-12 months → Subclass 870
• Can wait 2-4 years → Contributory parent visa

Do your parents want to work in Australia?

• Yes → Only contributory parent visa allows this
• No → Visitor options work fine

Is this permanent or testing the waters?

• Testing/temporary → Visitor visas
• Permanent commitment → Parent visa

Conclusion

The visitor visa pathways—whether tourist stream, sponsored family stream, or the longer-term Subclass 870—offer something the parent visa pathways don’t: speed and flexibility.

• Yes, they’re temporary.
• Yeah, there’s no work rights.
• There’s no Medicare.

But they get your parents beside you in weeks or months instead of years. They let you spend time together while you save for permanent options. They give everyone a chance to make sure this is the right decision before committing $47,000.

For many families, visitor visas aren’t a compromise—they’re actually the perfect solution.

Sarah’s mother has now been living with her in Melbourne for 18 months on a Subclass 870 visa. Her dementia has progressed, but she’s surrounded by family who love her. Sarah sees her every day. Her grandchildren know her.

“The $10,000 we spent on the temporary parent visa has given us priceless time together,” Sarah told me recently. “We may never get the permanent visa before she’s too unwell. But we have now. That’s what matters.”

Take Action Today

If you’re ready to bring your parents to Australia on a visitor visa:

For tourist visa (Subclass 600):

1. Check your parents have valid passports (6+ months validity)
2. Gather financial documents (bank statements, employment letters)
3. Book return flights
4. Purchase travel/health insurance
5. Apply online via ImmiAccount
6. Wait 2-4 weeks for decision

For Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent Temporary):

1. Check you meet income threshold ($83,455)
2. Apply to become approved sponsor first ($420 fee)
3. Once approved, parent lodges visa application
4. Arrange health insurance quotes
5. Wait 6-12 months for processing

Need help deciding which pathway is right for your family? Download our Visitor Visa Options Comparison Guide, or book a consultation to discuss your specific situation and timeline. Your parents don’t have to wait years to see you. There are faster pathways. Let’s find the right one for your family.