Many Singaporean grandparents travel to Australia for months at a time. They help with a new baby, school pick-ups, or a child’s busy working life. Some begin to spend almost half the year in Australia.
The right visa depends on how long you stay and how often you come. Using the wrong one can lead to refusals, problems at the airport, or difficulty with future applications.
For shorter visits: the ETA
Singapore passport holders can usually apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for tourism and family visits. It generally allows stays of up to three months each visit. It suits regular, shorter trips.
For longer visits: the Visitor visa (subclass 600)
If you want to stay longer than three months, a Visitor visa (subclass 600) may allow a stay of up to six or twelve months, depending on your circumstances. Parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents may be able to obtain longer-validity, multiple-entry visitor visas.
Two things to watch:
- Total time in Australia. Visitor visas often limit how much time you can spend in Australia overall, for example no more than 12 months in any 18-month period. Frequent long stays can lead the Department to question whether you are genuinely visiting.
- “No further stay” conditions. Some visitor visas prevent you from applying for most other visas while you are in Australia. This matters if you might later want to apply for a parent visa onshore.
You also cannot work in Australia on a visitor visa or ETA, including paid work for an Australian business.
For very long stays: the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)
The subclass 870 visa was designed for parents who want to spend long periods with their children in Australia. In general:
- your child applies first to be approved as a sponsor,
- you can stay for up to three or five years at a time,
- you can hold the visa for up to ten years in total,
- you cannot work in Australia, and
- you must hold adequate health insurance throughout.
The 870 is not a pathway to permanent residence. It is a long-stay temporary visa. For many families, that is exactly what they want.
Which one suits you?
| Your plan | Usually suits |
|---|---|
| A few visits a year, each under three months | ETA |
| One longer stay of six to twelve months | Visitor visa (subclass 600) |
| Living mostly in Australia for several years, without PR | Subclass 870 |
| Living permanently in Australia | A parent visa (long wait) |
Health insurance and medical costs
Visitors and 870 visa holders are generally not covered by Medicare. A hospital stay in Australia can be very expensive. Make sure your health insurance covers older travellers and any existing conditions.
Property, wills and long stays
If you spend long periods in Australia, think about more than the visa:
- Buying a home: most temporary visa holders are treated as foreign persons for Australian property rules. The current ban on foreign persons buying established homes (until 30 June 2029) may apply to you.
- Tax: spending a lot of time in Australia can affect your tax residency. Get tax advice if your stays are getting longer.
- Health decisions: if you fall ill in Australia, who can make decisions for you? Consider Australian powers of attorney and medical decision-maker appointments. See our article on Singapore LPAs and Australian assets.
How Chua Tan Associates can help
Our immigration team includes two Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, and we advise in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We help grandparents and their children choose the right visa, prepare sponsor approvals and 870 applications, and fix problems after a refusal.
Book a 30-minute paid consultation to plan your family’s visits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in Australia for six months on an ETA?
Generally no. The ETA usually allows stays of up to three months at a time.
Can my daughter sponsor me for a five-year visa?
Possibly, under the subclass 870 visa, if she is approved as a sponsor and you meet the requirements.
Does the 870 lead to permanent residence?
No. It is a temporary visa.
Can I buy a flat in Melbourne while on an 870 visa?
You are usually treated as a foreign person for property purposes, so strict rules apply. Get advice before signing anything.
Important: This article is general information only and must not be relied on. It is not legal, tax, financial or migration advice, does not take your circumstances into account, and may not reflect changes in the law after publication. Laws of other countries may also apply. Do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of this article. Reading it or contacting us does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Please book a consultation for advice on your situation.
Related reading
Chua Tan Associates advises families, individuals and employers on Australian visas, sponsorship, refusals and appeals. To arrange a paid consultation, please contact our Melbourne office on +61 3 9602 3988 or book online. Advice is available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
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