Who can sponsor a subclass 173 parent visa application in Australia in 2026?
A Subclass 173 sponsor must be settled, usually resident in Australia and at least 18 years old, and the sponsorship itself has to be approved. In the ordinary case that sponsor is the applicant's own child — a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen — but when that child is under 18, an eligible relative or a community organisation can sponsor instead. This reflects the Department of Home Affairs Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) page as of the August 2026 official page, with the sponsor categories set out in clause 173.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Treat it as general orientation rather than advice on your own circumstances: the wording and any current requirements should be confirmed against the Department's latest published guidance.
Who is the sponsor in the ordinary case?
The starting point is the applicant's child. The Department's overview describes the pathway as having an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and sponsorship then flows from that child.
Two conditions sit on top of the child's status. First, the sponsor must be 18 or over — which is exactly why a young child cannot sponsor in their own name. Second, the sponsor must be settled and usually resident in Australia, a requirement the Department states separately from the status itself, so holding citizenship or permanent residence is not on its own the whole test.
Under clause 173.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994, where the child is 18 or over, the sponsorship can also come from the child's spouse or de facto partner, provided that person is 18 or over and is themselves a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
What if my sponsoring child is under 18?
The 18-year-old minimum is what blocks a minor child from sponsoring directly, so the rules open a second door. The Department states that if your child is under 18, an eligible relative or a community organisation can sponsor you.
The Migration Regulations 1994 break those options down further: the child's spouse (if that person meets the same settled-status and age conditions), a relative or guardian of the child who is 18 or over and holds a settled status, or a community organisation.
Suppose an applicant's only child is 16 and settled in Australia. The child cannot sign as sponsor, so the application would need a sponsoring relative or guardian who is 18 or over and settled, or a community organisation willing to take on the role — and either way the Department must approve the sponsorship.
| Situation | Who may sponsor | What the sponsor must also be |
|---|---|---|
| Child is 18 or over | The child, or the child's spouse or de facto partner | 18 or over; settled; usually resident in Australia |
| Child is under 18 | The child's relative or guardian, or a community organisation | Adult relatives or guardians must be 18 or over and settled |
| Child is under 18 and has a qualifying spouse | The child's spouse or de facto partner | 18 or over; settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen |
Does the sponsorship have to be approved, and does it have to hold?
Yes on both counts. The Department states plainly that it must approve the sponsorship, and the Migration Regulations 1994 require an approved sponsorship to be in place at the time of decision (clause 173.222). Approval is therefore a step in its own right, not something assumed from the family relationship.
The child's qualifying status also has to continue. Clause 173.221 requires the applicant to keep satisfying the parent-of-a-settled-child condition through to decision, so a child whose status changes materially during processing puts the application at risk. The Regulations also make some provision for a change of sponsor in certain circumstances; because the detail is fact-specific, verify the current position before relying on it.
The sponsorship must also cover any family members applying with the parent, under clause 173.312.
Where does sponsorship sit among the other 173 requirements?
Sponsorship is necessary but not sufficient. The applicant must also meet the balance of family test — at least half of their children and step-children are eligible children, or there are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country — and cannot apply if they have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Health and character requirements apply to the applicant and any family members applying with them, and the Department may also ask non-migrating family members to meet them. Any debt to the Australian Government must be repaid or covered by an approved arrangement, and applicants 18 or over must sign the Australian Values Statement.
The visa itself allows the holder to live in Australia for up to two years, to work and study (without government support), and to apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child sponsor me if they are a permanent resident but not a citizen?
Yes. The Department lists a settled Australian permanent resident as an eligible child alongside a settled Australian citizen and a settled eligible New Zealand citizen. The separate requirement is that the sponsor is settled and usually resident in Australia.
Can my child sponsor me if they live overseas?
The sponsor must be usually resident in Australia, so a child living abroad would not meet that limb even if they hold Australian citizenship. The two ideas are separate: status alone does not make someone an eligible sponsor.
My child is 16 — who can sponsor me instead?
An eligible relative or a community organisation, per the Department's page. Under clause 173.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994, the alternatives include the child's relative or guardian (who must be 18 or over and settled) or a community organisation, and the sponsorship still needs approval.
Can my child's spouse or de facto partner sponsor me?
Under clause 173.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994, yes, where that partner is 18 or over and is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Confirm the current wording on the Department's sponsorship guidance before lodging.
Does the sponsorship need its own approval?
Yes. The Department states it must approve the sponsorship, and the Migration Regulations 1994 require an approved sponsorship at the time of decision. A close family relationship does not substitute for that approval.
Can I apply if I already applied for a Subclass 870 visa?
No. The Department states that you cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa, so the two pathways cannot be run together in that sequence.