The Subclass 870 visa (Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa) does not give the holder the right to work in Australia; this visa is designed for family accompaniment and residence, not employment. The precise work condition is set out in your visa grant letter and in clause 870.6 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994: condition 8101 is an absolute prohibition on work with no mechanism for seeking permission, whereas condition 8103 permits work only with the written permission of the Minister.
Dr Sirous Ahmadi, Australian migration lawyer with MARA registration number 0854826, emphasises that the starting point for any correct answer is the visa grant letter itself. Before drawing any conclusion, you need to identify which Schedule 8 condition has been imposed on your visa: if it is condition 8101, the words “the holder must not engage in work in Australia” are absolute, and there is no avenue for obtaining the Minister’s permission; if it is condition 8103, work without the Minister’s written permission is prohibited, and any permission granted may be limited to specified work or a specified period. The authority on this point is the text of the Regulations on legislation.gov.au and your own visa grant document — not scattered commercial interpretations.
The Subclass 870 visa is not “like a tourist visa”
Comparing the Subclass 870 visa to a tourist visa is misleading. This visa allows continuous stay of up to 5 years per grant, subject to the legislative limit that the Minister cannot specify a date more than 5 years after grant, and that the combined validity periods of Subclass 870 visas must not exceed 10 years. By contrast, the visa is tied to an approved parent sponsor and can come to an end through sponsorship-related events — including that, where the sponsor’s approval is cancelled, the visa ceases 35 days after that cancellation. Maintaining health insurance is also mandatory, and there is no access to Medicare.
Compliance warning: “work” is defined broadly
The concept of “work” under Australian migration law is interpreted broadly, and breaching a visa condition carries the risk of visa cancellation. For that reason, personal assumptions about unpaid activities or helping out in a family business should never be treated as settled law; any such activity must be assessed before it begins, in light of the condition imposed on your particular visa and current Department of Home Affairs policy.
A final and important point: some unofficial websites claim that Subclass 870 visa holders can work without restriction. That claim is incorrect and has no government source; making decisions on the basis of it can put your parents’ immigration status at risk.
If your parents hold a Subclass 870 visa or are preparing to apply for one, genuine peace of mind begins with a careful review of the conditions set out in the visa grant letter. For personal guidance tailored to your own case, a short conversation with Dr Sirous Ahmadi can give you a complete picture of your rights and restrictions.
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This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on October 8, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi Registered Migration Agent 0854826
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.