How do I apply for Australia's subclass 173 visa in 2026 — can I lodge online?
No. Online lodgement is not available for temporary Contributory visa applicants, so the Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) must be applied for on paper, sent by post or courier, and cannot be handed in at an office in person. That is the position stated on the Australian Department of Home Affairs' Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) official page, as of August 2026. What follows is general information about that published process rather than advice on any individual case, so your own circumstances still need to be checked against the official page or with someone qualified to advise on them.
Why is subclass 173 paper-only when most Australian visas are online?
Because the subclass 173 sits in the temporary contributory parent stream, and the Department's step-by-step page states plainly that online lodgement is not available for temporary Contributory visa applicants. The rule attaches to the temporary stage of the two-step contributory parent pathway: you first hold the temporary subclass 173, then apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) before the 173 expires, which is how the cost of the two visas is spread over several years.
The paper-only rule covers lodgement only. Once the application exists, most of the ongoing management moves online, which is the part many applicants find confusing.
What does "apply on paper" actually involve?
You send the completed forms, supporting documents and evidence of payment together to the address shown on the form. The Department's requirements are specific:
- Post or courier only — the application cannot be lodged in person.
- Location — you and any family members applying with you can be in or outside Australia when you submit, but not in immigration clearance.
- Payment — the first instalment must be paid when you apply.
- Copies, not originals — send certified copies only; the exception is police certificates, which are sent as originals.
- Keep your own copy of the completed application and supporting documents.
Any of these steps being incomplete can leave the application invalid, and invalid applications are not processed. The Department will tell you if that happens and, if requested, return the application.
Which forms have to be in the envelope?
| Form | Who completes it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Form 47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia | The applicant | The main application; Part B is also used to withdraw an undecided Parent visa application |
| Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia | The sponsor | Sponsorship, which is required for the application |
| Form 47A Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over | Each family member aged 18 or over | Required even if that person is not migrating |
| Form 956 or Form 956A | Optional | Appointing someone to give immigration assistance (956) or to receive correspondence (956A) |
All forms must be completed in English. You also cannot apply for subclass 173 if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870).
Who has to be listed, and what documents go with the forms?
You must give details of all your family members in the application form even if they are not migrating, and family members who apply must meet health and character requirements.
Documents cover several distinct tests:
- Identity — the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates, plus a national identity card if you have one and proof of any change of name. If you cannot prove your identity, the visa will be refused and the Department might not grant you, or any family member listed on the application, another visa for 10 years.
- Sponsorship — Form 40 from an eligible sponsor.
- Balance of family — evidence of your relationship to each child, each child's Australian citizenship or country of permanent residence, and evidence that any child should be excluded, such as a death certificate.
- Character — police certificates or other character documents, but do not arrange a police check until you are asked.
- Dependants — a child can be included if under 18; over 18 but not yet 23 and dependent on you or your partner; or over 23 and unable to earn a living because of physical or cognitive limitations. Dependants aged 18 or over also need proof of dependency and documents about other relationships where relevant.
- Partner — identity and character documents plus evidence of the relationship, including a current marriage certificate or documents showing a de facto relationship of at least 12 months before you apply.
- Photographs — four recent photos of each person included, passport-size at 45mm x 35mm, less than 6 months old, good quality colour (laser copies are not accepted), showing the full face against a plain light-coloured background. Untinted prescription glasses are allowed, and a religious head covering is allowed as long as the face is visible.
What makes a paper subclass 173 application invalid?
The Department warns that if any of the required steps are incomplete, the application may be invalid and will not be processed. The documented triggers include:
- Leaving out required forms, documents or evidence of payment.
- Not paying the correct visa application charge — the Department will notify you and return the application if necessary.
- Applying in Australia while on a temporary visa with a no further stay condition, unless you apply for a waiver of that condition.
- Having already applied for or holding a subclass 870 visa.
- Not withdrawing an earlier, undecided Parent visa application, which is done through Part B of Form 47PA.
What happens after you post it?
You receive an acknowledgement letter, and at that point you can import the paper application into your ImmiAccount using your application ID, date of birth and identity document number — an ImmiCard, passport or Titre de Voyage number. Importing it gives access to online services: attaching supporting documents, viewing messages from the Department, updating your details and checking application status. New and already on-hand applications can both be imported.
Other things to expect during processing:
- The Department does not provide progress updates within normal processing times, and will contact you if anything more is needed.
- A second instalment must be paid before the visa is granted; you receive an invoice when it is due, and failing to pay it means the application will be refused.
- Health examinations and biometrics are requested when required — do not arrange them in advance.
- Do not arrange travel to Australia until you are told in writing that the visa is granted.
- There is no bridging visa associated with a subclass 173 application, so you must hold another valid visa to remain in Australia or be outside Australia while it is processed.
- You must be outside Australia when the decision is made, and the application fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
What does it cost, and how long does the queue take in 2026?
The visa costs from AUD 33,375 for a single applicant, with additional charges for each family member who applies with you and concessions available only in limited circumstances. It is paid in two instalments: the first when you apply, the second when the Department asks for it. Budget separately for related costs per applicant, such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid application, recognised by a valid passport from a specified country — the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu — and family members qualify based on the primary applicant's passport.
On timing, demand for Parent visas exceeds the places available each year, so subclass 173 applications are subject to capping and queueing and are processed in the order received. Assessment happens in two stages: an initial assessment to either add the application to the queue or refuse it, then a final assessment as places become available. The Department publishes Migration Program reports on planning and outcomes, and points applicants to its Parent visa queue release dates page for processing-time information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lodge subclass 173 online through ImmiAccount?
No. The Department states that online lodgement is not available for temporary Contributory visa applicants, and subclass 173 is the temporary contributory parent visa. ImmiAccount becomes useful only after lodgement, when you import the paper application to manage it online.
Can I hand in my subclass 173 application at an office?
No. The Department states that you cannot apply for this visa in person; the application must be sent by post or courier to the address on the form, together with all required documents, forms and evidence of payment.
Do I need to be outside Australia to lodge, and can I wait in Australia afterwards?
You can be in or outside Australia when you submit the application, as long as you are not in immigration clearance. For the processing period there is no bridging visa attached to a subclass 173 application, so you must hold another valid visa or be outside Australia, and you must be outside Australia when the decision is made.
I already have a subclass 870 visa or another Parent visa application — what then?
You cannot apply for subclass 173 if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870). If you have a different Parent visa application that has not been decided, you must withdraw it when you apply, using Part B of Form 47PA.
Should I post my original documents with the paper application?
No, with one exception. You must send certified copies only; the exception is police certificates, which should be sent as originals. You should also keep a copy of the completed application and supporting documents for your own records.
What if I make a mistake on a form I have already posted?
Tell the Department as soon as you can by completing Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers. If you have imported the application into ImmiAccount you can upload the completed form there, or send it using the Parent visa processing centre form.
Will I get my money back if the application is refused?
No. The Department states that the application fee will not be refunded if your application is refused, and an unpaid second instalment is itself grounds for refusal.