Can I extend my subclass 173 visa or stay longer in Australia in 2026?

Plain-language guide · general information, not immigration advice

No. You cannot extend a Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173), and reapplying for it is not a way to stay in Australia longer — staying in Australia longer means applying for a different visa. That is the position stated on the Australian Department of Home Affairs official page for the Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173), as of the August 2026 version of that page, which says you "cannot stay in Australia longer by extending or reapplying for this visa."

Everything below follows from that one rule: what the two years cover, what happens as the expiry approaches, whether the permanent subclass 143 is still reachable, and how to look for another visa. This article is general information only and not advice tailored to your circumstances, so confirm details against the current official pages or with a registered professional before you act.

Why is there no extension, and why doesn't reapplying work?

Subclass 173 is a temporary visa with a fixed purpose. It exists as the first half of a two-step parent migration route: you hold the temporary visa first, then move to the permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143). Applying for the 173 before the 143 lets you spread the cost of the two visas over several years — the 173 itself costs from AUD 33,375 for a single applicant, paid in two instalments, with additional charges for each family member who applies with you and concessions in limited circumstances.

Because the visa is built as a bridge rather than an open-ended permit, the official page offers no renewal mechanism. Once the two years run, the only ways forward are a different visa or leaving.

When does the two-year period actually start?

The visa period starts on the date you enter Australia after the visa is granted — not on the grant date. So two applicants granted on the same day can have different expiry dates depending on when they first arrived.

The visa is multiple entry: you can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want within those two years without extending anything. Time spent outside Australia does not add to the two years. Your exact expiry date, conditions and work entitlements are shown in VEVO, and the visa is digitally linked to your passport rather than issued as a label.

What happens if the visa expires while I'm still in Australia?

The moment the subclass 173 period ends, it no longer provides permission to remain in Australia. There is no grace period created by an extension, because an extension is not available.

If you want to stay lawfully, you must apply for a new visa before the subclass 173 ceases — for a permanent stay via subclass 143, the application must be lodged before the 173 expires. Use VEVO to confirm your expiry date and conditions, and read the official guidance on what to do when a visa has expired or is about to expire.

Is subclass 143 still an option once the 173 has expired?

Timing is the whole issue here. The official 173 page states that if you want to stay permanently, you must apply for the subclass 143 visa before your subclass 173 visa expires, to ensure you meet all applicable lodgement criteria.

The same page adds that in exceptional circumstances the department might allow a subclass 143 application after that point. That wording matters: it is a discretion, not an entitlement, and the details sit on the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) page. Treat the pre-expiry lodgement date as the deadline to plan around rather than something to test.

Which other parent visas could follow a subclass 173?

The official pages describe several parent options, each with a different shape:

Option	Type	Duration	What the official pages say
Subclass 173	Temporary	2 years	Live, work and study in Australia; you cannot stay longer by extending or reapplying for it
Subclass 143	Permanent	Permanent	May be processed faster than other parent visas, but costs more
Subclass 173 then 143	Two-stage	2 years, then permanent	Costs more than applying directly for the 143, but the cost is spread over a longer period
Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent Temporary)	Temporary	Up to 3 or 5 years at a time, maximum total of 10 years	Lets parents visit their children in Australia

Parent visas generally are subject to capping and queueing: demand for places exceeds the number available each year, so applications are processed in the order received and can take a long time. That queue reality is a reason to decide early rather than near the expiry date, whichever route you take.

How do I find a visa that fits my situation?

The subclass 173 page points to the department's Visa Finder rather than to any single alternative, which reflects how much depends on your circumstances — whether you have an eligible sponsor, whether you want permanent residence or more time with family, and whether you can meet the criteria of a temporary visa instead.

If you want to see everything side by side, the department's full visa listing page is the place to start. Assume a hypothetical applicant whose 173 ends in six months and who has not yet lodged a 143: the choices on the table are lodging the 143 within that window, or identifying another visa through Visa Finder — not waiting for the 173 to be renewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my subclass 173 visa beyond two years?

No. The Department of Home Affairs official page states you cannot stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. The two-year limit is fixed, and travel outside Australia during that period does not add extra time.

Can I apply for a second subclass 173 visa after the first one ends?

Not as a way to stay in Australia longer. The official page rules out reapplying as a way to stay longer. A further stay has to come from a different visa, which you can identify using the department's Visa Finder.

When does my subclass 173 stay period begin?

It starts on the date you enter Australia after the visa is granted, not on the grant date. VEVO shows the resulting expiry date along with your visa conditions.

Do I have to apply for subclass 143 before the 173 expires?

The official page says you must apply for the subclass 143 before your subclass 173 expires to ensure you meet all applicable lodgement criteria. Planning to that date is the safest approach.

Can I still apply for subclass 143 after the 173 has expired?

The official page says the department might allow this in exceptional circumstances, and directs readers to the subclass 143 page for more information. That is a discretionary allowance, not something you can rely on as a right.

Is the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) a substitute for staying longer?

It is a different temporary option, allowing parents to visit their children in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, to a maximum total of 10 years. Whether it suits you depends on sponsorship and the visa's own criteria, which are set out on its official page.

How can I check exactly when my 173 visa ends?

VEVO shows your visa expiry, conditions and work and study entitlements. You can also read the department's guidance for visas that have expired or are about to expire.