1. Overview
Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. A stepping-stone - convert to the permanent Contributory Parent visa (143) by paying the second instalment.
Visa typeTemporary (2 yrs)
LodgementOnshore or offshore
Stay2 years
Work rightsUnlimited
Study rightsYes
Government chargeFirst contributory instalment ~$4,990
Processing timeSeveral years (queue)
2. Process flow
The handling sequence for a 173 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".
- Balance-of-family test first
Count the sponsor's siblings: at least half the parent's children must live permanently in Australia (or more in Australia than any other single country). Fail this and no parent visa is possible - test it before taking a retainer.
- This stream's twist
The 173 is the 2-year temporary first step: the first instalment is smaller, but plan the move to the 143 (and its second instalment) from day one.
- Sponsorship and lodgement
The settled child sponsors; lodge and join the queue. Set honest expectations - even the contributory stream runs years.
- Queue management
Keep contact details current and health stable; the Department will call the file up for final processing when the queue reaches it.
- Assurance of Support and second instalment
At final stage: AoS bond lodged through Services Australia and the large second instalment (~$48,640 per applicant). Clients must plan finances years ahead for this.
- Decision and briefing
PR on grant; brief on Medicare enrolment and the RRV travel facility.
5. Cost checklist
Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).
| Item | Indicative amount |
|---|
| Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative) | First contributory instalment ~$4,990 |
| Health examinations (per person) | ~$300-500 |
| Police certificates | ~$42-150 each |
| Relationship registration (where used) | State fees vary |
| Assurance of Support bond (refundable after 10 years for permanent parent visas) | $10,000 primary applicant (indicative) |
| Your professional fee | Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956 |
| Rule of thumb | Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June |
7. Case studies - eligible cases
Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 173 file looks like in practice.
Grant: Isabella from Turkey
- Background
- Isabella, a hospitality manager from Turkey. Parents who pay the first contributory instalment for a 2-year temporary visa, then move to the permanent 143.
- Why it qualified
- (1) Pass the balance-of-family test. (2) An eligible sponsor. (3) Assurance of Support (at the 143 stage).
- What made the file strong
- Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
- Outcome
- Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (queue)).
Grant: Wei from Nepal
- Background
- Wei, a retired shopkeeper from Nepal. Parents who pay the first contributory instalment for a 2-year temporary visa, then move to the permanent 143.
- Why it qualified
- (1) Pass the balance-of-family test. (2) An eligible sponsor. (3) Assurance of Support (at the 143 stage).
- What made the file strong
- Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
- Outcome
- Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (queue)).
8. Case studies - refusal cases
The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.
Refusal: Elif from Thailand
- Background
- Elif, a marketing coordinator from Thailand, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 173.
- What went wrong
- Not planning for the large second instalment to move to 143
- Outcome
- The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
- Lesson for the agent
- Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.
Refusal: Kwame from the Philippines
- Background
- Kwame, a small-business owner from the Philippines, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 173.
- What went wrong
- Balance-of-family test failures
- Outcome
- The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
- Lesson for the agent
- Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.
9. Self-exam
10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.