Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa: Full Cost Breakdown for Australia

The Subclass 870 is marketed as an affordable temporary visa that lets parents spend extended time in Australia. The application fees are genuinely low. But the 870 has ongoing costs that most families only discover after they have committed. This breakdown gives you the full picture so there are no surprises. For how the visa works end to end, see our complete 870 guide.

How much does the 870 visa cost?

The Subclass 870 is available in two grant periods: 3 years and 5 years. The 5-year version is available only for a second 870 grant (you must hold a prior 870 to access the 5-year stream in most cases). Across multiple grants, a parent can accumulate up to 10 years total stay in Australia on the 870.

Primary applicant fee

As at 1 July 2026, the base visa application charge for the 870 is AUD 1,515, the same whether the grant is for 3 or 5 years, and a second visa application charge instalment of up to $10,925 applies before the visa is granted, depending on the length of stay. Government charges are indexed on 1 July each year, so confirm the current figure with the Department of Home Affairs before you apply. From 1 July 2026, a lower application charge applies to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and ASEAN member countries. For reference, the base charge is:

• Base application charge: AUD 1,515 (as at 1 July 2026)
• Indexed on 1 July each year; confirm the current amount with the Department

These fees are paid at the time of application lodgement. They are non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn after assessment begins.

Secondary applicant fees

Secondary applicants (additional dependants included in the same application) pay a reduced fee at the same rate schedule. Most 870 applications involve a single parent as primary applicant. In some cases, a couple applies together, in which case both fees apply.

Sponsor application costs

Before a parent can apply for the 870, the Australian child must be approved as a sponsor. The sponsorship application costs approximately $420. This is a one-time cost for the sponsorship approval, though the sponsorship needs to be maintained and updated if circumstances change significantly.

The sponsor must meet an income threshold to be eligible. The current threshold is $83,454.80 per year. If the sponsor’s individual income does not meet this threshold, they can combine their income with a partner’s to reach it. This is the same principle as the Assurance of Support for permanent visas: the government wants evidence that the sponsoring household can support the parent without reliance on public resources.

There is no Assurance of Support bond required for the 870. This is a meaningful practical difference from the permanent parent visa pathways, where a $10,000 to $14,000 bond is required (our 143 vs 103 comparison sets out the permanent visa costs in full).

Ongoing costs during the visa period

The application fees are the smallest part of the 870’s true cost. The ongoing expenses during the visa period are where the real money goes.

Mandatory private health insurance

Every 870 visa holder is required to hold approved private health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Australia. This is not optional and it is not reviewable. The insurance must meet the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements for Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).

The cost of OVHC varies based on the parent’s age, the level of cover selected, and the insurer. For a parent in their 60s, a basic policy typically costs around $3,000 to $4,500 per year. For parents in their 70s or above, premiums can reach $5,000 to $8,000 per year or more, particularly if hospital cover is required. Premiums increase with age each year, so a policy that costs $3,500 in year one may cost $4,500 by year four.

Over a 5-year grant period, a single parent’s health insurance costs might range from $15,000 to $40,000 depending on age and health status. For two parents, double those figures.

No Medicare: what this means in practice

The 870 does not include Medicare access. This is fundamental. Without Medicare, every GP visit, specialist appointment, pathology test, imaging, and hospital admission is either paid out of pocket or claimed through private insurance.

For parents with ongoing health needs (which is common for people in their 60s and 70s), the gap between what OVHC covers and what healthcare actually costs can be significant. Most OVHC policies have excess amounts and restricted cover for pre-existing conditions. Parents with chronic conditions may find that their insurance covers less than they expected, and that uncovered medical costs accumulate throughout their stay.

This is one of the strongest arguments for pursuing permanent residence through the Subclass 143 or Subclass 864 if the family can absorb the cost. Permanent residents have full Medicare access from arrival after grant.

Total cost over 5 years vs 10 years

To illustrate the real cost of the 870, here are two scenarios for a single parent:

Health insurance is the variable that drives the range. A parent in good health in their early 60s will sit near the lower end. An older parent with ongoing health needs will be at the higher end or beyond it.

How 870 costs compare to permanent parent visa costs

The comparison that matters most is: what does the 870 cost over the time your parent waits for a permanent visa to be granted?

If a family lodges a 143 today and the parent spends approximately 8 years on 870 visas while waiting, the total 870 cost over that period (visa fees plus insurance plus out-of-pocket medical) could reach $45,000 to $80,000 for a single parent. Add the 143’s government fees of approximately $48,640 and the Assurance of Support bond of $10,000 (returned after 10 years), and the total cost of the combined strategy is approximately $100,000 to $140,000 per parent.

By contrast, a parent who goes straight to permanent residence (where this is possible onshore, as with the 864) skips the years of OVHC costs entirely and moves to Medicare from grant date.

The 870 is genuinely useful as a holding strategy while a permanent application progresses through the queue. But it is not a cheap option when viewed over a realistic timeframe. Families should plan for the full cost of the combined strategy rather than just the next visa fee.

Frequently asked questions

Can my parent work on the 870 visa?

No. The Subclass 870 does not include work rights. The parent cannot undertake any work in Australia while on this visa. This is one of several limitations of the 870 compared to permanent residence pathways.

What happens if the 870 application is refused?

If a 870 application is refused, the application fee is generally not refunded after substantive assessment has begun. The parent would need to depart Australia if they do not hold another valid visa. Refusals are not common for straightforward applications, but they can occur where the sponsor does not meet income requirements or where the parent has a health or character issue.

Is there a limit on how many 870 visas a parent can hold?

Yes. The maximum total stay on the 870 is 10 years, accumulated across multiple grants. After 10 years, no further 870 grants are available. If a permanent parent visa has not been granted by that point, the parent must either have an alternative visa to remain or depart Australia.

Does the 870 count towards the balance of family test for permanent parent visas?

Being in Australia on an 870 does not affect how the balance of family test is applied for a permanent parent visa application. The balance of family test is assessed separately based on where the parent’s children are legally residing.