The Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced that four distinct parent categories qualify for the subclass 870 sponsored parent temporary visa. This visa aims to make it more accessible for parents to join their children in Australia. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old and be sponsored by an Australian-based person. The visa removes two major barriers that typically block parents from other Australian visa pathways.
The four qualifying categories for the subclass 870 visa include biological parents, legal parents, step-parents, and parents-in-law of the sponsoring individual. This inclusive definition of parental relationships allows a wide range of family arrangements to be considered. The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that these categories will be eligible for the visa, providing more opportunities for parents to reunite with their families in Australia.
Two significant requirements that apply to other parent visa categories are notably absent in the subclass 870 visa. The balance of family test, which requires at least half of an applicant's children to reside permanently in Australia, does not apply to this visa. This change will benefit parents whose children are spread across different countries and were previously disqualified from other visa streams.
The Assurance of Support requirement is also waived for the subclass 870 visa. Under many other visa categories, sponsors must provide a financial guarantee that the government can access if the visa holder claims certain social security payments. Removing this requirement considerably reduces the administrative and financial burden on eligible families, making it easier for them to sponsor their parents.
The subclass 870 visa operates on a sponsorship-based structure, meaning an applicant's eligibility is tied directly to their relationship with an Australian-based sponsor. This sponsorship model allows for a more straightforward route for parents who may not have met the thresholds required under other parent visa options available in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs has designed this visa to be more accessible and inclusive.
The changes to the subclass 870 visa are expected to benefit many families in Australia. By removing the balance of family test and the Assurance of Support requirement, more parents will be eligible to join their children in Australia. The four qualifying categories for the visa also provide a more inclusive definition of parental relationships, allowing for a wider range of family arrangements to be considered.
The Australian government has taken steps to clarify the eligibility criteria for the subclass 870 sponsored parent temporary visa. With the four qualifying categories and the removal of two significant requirements, this visa provides a more accessible pathway for parents to reunite with their families in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs will continue to process applications for the subclass 870 visa, providing more opportunities for families to be together.
Key points
- The subclass 870 visa removes the balance of family test and the Assurance of Support requirement.
- Four parent categories are eligible for the subclass 870 visa: biological parents, legal parents, step-parents, and parents-in-law.
- The visa operates on a sponsorship-based structure, tying an applicant's eligibility to their relationship with an Australian-based sponsor.
