Who Can Sponsor a Parent Visa? Settled Sponsors and the Form 40 Explained

Almost every permanent and contributory parent visa needs a sponsor (Retirement Pathway applicants are an exception). In most cases this is the parent’s child, but other people can sponsor in some situations. This guide explains who can sponsor a parent visa, what being settled means, and how sponsorship works during the long parent visa queue. It covers the 103, 143, 173, 804, 864 and 884. The 870 has its own sponsor approval process.

Who can sponsor

The parent’s child is	Who can sponsor
18 or over	The child, or the child’s spouse or de facto partner who lives with them
Under 18	The child’s spouse who lives with them, a relative or guardian of the child, or a community organisation

Unless a community organisation is sponsoring, the sponsor must be 18 or over, and an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled. The sponsorship is lodged on a Form 40, with or before the parent visa application.

---

What settled means

A settled sponsor has been lawfully resident in Australia for a reasonable period. Under policy this is generally 2 years of lawful residence at the time of application. Short trips overseas of up to 4 months are usually ignored. Time on a temporary visa, such as a student or work visa, can count. Time on some bridging visas does not.

If the sponsor has spent more than 4 months overseas in the last 2 years, they may need to show they are settled now, for example with evidence of a job, home, children’s school enrolment or banking history in Australia.

---

The sponsorship undertaking

The sponsor undertakes to help the parent with accommodation and financial support. This is different from the Assurance of Support, which is a separate financial guarantee, backed by a bond, that the Department asks for later in the process (for a 173 or 884, only at the permanent stage). The sponsor and the assurer do not have to be the same person.

---

Keeping the sponsorship current in a long queue

Expect to update the Form 40. Parent visas can take many years to process. Under policy, a sponsorship is generally treated as current for 2 years from signing, and after that the Department may reassess it. Sponsors should be ready to provide updated details when asked.

The sponsor can change during processing. The new sponsor lodges a new Form 40 and must meet the sponsor requirements.

---

If the sponsor dies

If a sponsor dies, another eligible person can be approved as a substitute sponsor. There is extra protection for 173 and 884 holders. If their sponsor dies and no other eligible sponsor is available, they are treated as sponsored for the permanent 143 or 864. See moving from a 173 or 884 to a permanent parent visa.

---

Who cannot sponsor

Some people are barred from sponsoring parents, such as a child granted a Child visa under the vulnerable child provisions. Sponsors must also not be subject to other sponsorship limits. Get advice if your own visa history is complicated.

---

The balance of family test

Sponsorship is separate from the balance of family test, which looks at the citizenship, residence status and location of all of the parent’s children. Use our balance of family test calculator to check this requirement.

---

What you should do now

• Check the sponsor is settled: around 2 years of lawful residence is the general guide.
• Choose between the child and their partner: either can sponsor if they live together and both are eligible.
• Keep records up to date: the Form 40 may need refreshing during the queue.
• Plan the Assurance of Support: it is requested later and can come from a different person.