Contributory Parent (173)

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria for Subclass 173 Applicants

To be eligible for the Subclass 173 visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Primary Criteria

1. Parental Relationship: The applicant must be the parent of a child who is:
   • A settled Australian citizen.
   • A settled Australian permanent resident.
   • A settled eligible New Zealand citizen.
2. Sponsorship: The applicant must be sponsored by their child (if the child is over 18) or the child’s cohabiting spouse or de facto partner, provided the sponsor meets the relevant criteria for Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligibility as a New Zealand citizen. If the child is under 18, the sponsor could be a relative, guardian, or a community organization.
3. Balance of Family Test: The applicant must satisfy the balance of family test, which ensures that the applicant has more children living in Australia than overseas.

Secondary Criteria

1. Family Unit: The applicant must be a member of the family unit of a person who satisfies the primary criteria.
2. Public Interest and Special Return Criteria: Applicants must meet various public interest criteria (e.g., health, character, and security checks) and special return criteria if they have previously been in Australia.