870 visa GIST assessment in 2026: how officers weigh risk factors

For the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, officers assessing whether you genuinely intend to stay temporarily weigh a set of risk factors rather than ticking a fixed list — your immigration history, your economic position and your home-country ties are weighed, together with your Australian connections, in the overall picture. According to the Department of Home Affairs official page for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870), as of the August 2026 official page, you must intend to stay only temporarily in Australia and do only the things the visa allows; the same page asks you to give as much evidence as possible about your ties to your home country, your financial position and your planned activities, and its list of examples is expressly non-exhaustive. The Migration Regulations 1994 contain the corresponding criterion in clause 870.226 — that the applicant genuinely intends to stay in Australia temporarily — while PAM3 guidance describes the assessment as a weighing of factors including immigration history, economic circumstances, home-country ties and Australian ties, and notes that policy guidance is not legally binding.

This article is general information only and does not provide personalised advice or predict a decision. Because evidential weight and policy settings can change, the latest official publications remain the reference for any individual application; where an applicant appoints someone for immigration assistance, that person must be a registered migration agent, a legal practitioner or an exempt person, as stated on the official page.

What does the genuine temporary intention requirement ask?

The eligibility criteria on the official page require you to intend to stay only temporarily in Australia and to do only the things the visa allows you to do. The visa is temporary only: you will not have the right to permanent residence, and you cannot apply for a permanent or temporary parent visa if you have applied for or hold this visa.

If you have already lodged a permanent parent visa application, the official page states you may visit Australia, but not remain in Australia permanently while that application is being decided. The Migration Regulations 1994 carry this requirement through clause 870.226, which asks whether the applicant genuinely intends to stay in Australia temporarily.

How much discretion does an officer have when weighing GIST?

PAM3 guidance states that the genuine intention assessment is not limited to a checklist and that officers weigh risk factors in the individual case. The guidance also records that PAM3 policy has no legal force: an officer may depart from policy on the merits of a case after discussing the matter with a supervisor and recording the reasons in the system.

Because the official evidence list is non-exhaustive, other information relevant to your personal circumstances can also be considered. In practice, two applicants with similar documents can be assessed differently, because the officer is weighing the whole picture rather than confirming that one item is present.

How is immigration history weighed?

Your travel and visa-compliance record is one of the risk factors. The official page requires that you have met and complied with any previous visa obligations, and its evidence list asks for evidence of any previous international travel.

The Migration Regulations 1994 compilation refers to clause 870.225, which requires substantial compliance with the last substantive visa and any subsequent bridging visa conditions, and to clause 870.223, under which a repeat applicant outside Australia must, except in exceptional circumstances, have spent at least 90 continuous days outside Australia after the earlier 870 visa ceased. A documented history of visiting and leaving as planned supports the temporary-intention picture, while a pattern of non-compliance or of using temporary visas to remain long-term can weigh against it. This requirement comes from the Migration Regulations 1994 rather than from the Department's eligibility guidance, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current wording.

How does your economic situation affect the assessment?

The eligibility rules require you to have, or have access to, enough money to support yourself while you are in Australia, which the Migration Regulations 1994 compilation links to clause 870.222. The official evidence list gives concrete examples of proof: itemised personal bank statements showing a 3-month period, tax records, and pension or other regular income streams, used to show you have enough money for the stay and to leave Australia.

Economic ties in your home country are also relevant: the list includes significant financial ties such as a house, a business or other major assets in your home country. Strong, verifiable funds and home-country assets reduce the risk that you will need to stay or work unlawfully in Australia; a financial position that would only work if you remained in Australia can count against the temporary-intention assessment.

What home-country ties and visit plans are considered?

The official list asks for evidence of your ability and reasons to return home, including significant financial ties such as a house, business or other major assets, and evidence of ties or commitments to your home country, including any family. It also asks for a letter stating your reasons and plans for visiting Australia, which could cover the purpose and any plans of the stay, and who you intend to visit in Australia and their relationship to you.

Together with evidence of previous international travel, these items help the officer understand the planned activities and whether you have continuing reasons to return. Home-country ties are weighed against your Australian connections, such as the approved Parent Sponsor relationship that makes you eligible for the visa.

Does a pending permanent parent visa application decide the outcome?

No. The official page states that if you have already lodged a permanent parent visa application, you may visit Australia, but not remain in Australia permanently while the application is being decided; the 870 remains a temporary visa and gives no right to permanent residence.

PAM3 guidance indicates a pending permanent parent application does not by itself determine the genuine intention assessment and needs to be considered separately as one factor. So the existence of a parent PR application is not automatically fatal to the temporary-intention test, but it also does not excuse you from showing that this particular visit is temporary.

What evidence should you prepare, and what happens if it is incomplete?

The Department asks for as much evidence as possible and provides a non-exhaustive list: proof of funds such as 3-month bank statements, tax records and pension or income streams, evidence of previous international travel, home-country financial and family ties, and a letter of reasons and plans. Accurate information is required; the official page warns that if you cannot prove your identity, the application will be refused and you might not be granted another visa for 10 years.

Complete applications might be processed quicker, while incomplete ones might be delayed or refused if there is insufficient information to show you meet the requirements. Before the visa is granted, the Department will invoice a second instalment, and if it is not paid, the application will be refused; the official page also states the application fee is not refunded if the application is refused or withdrawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 870 visa GIST assessment a fixed checklist?

No. The Department’s evidence list is expressly non-exhaustive, and PAM3 guidance says officers weigh risk factors across the individual case rather than confirming a fixed set of items. Policy guidance is not legally binding, so the officer considers the whole picture.

Do I need to show bank statements for a specific period?

The official page lists itemised personal bank statements showing a 3-month period as an example of proof that you have enough money for the stay and to leave Australia. Tax records and pension or other regular income streams are also listed examples.

Will having a parent permanent visa application pending hurt my 870 application?

The official page says you may visit Australia but cannot remain permanently while the permanent application is decided, and the 870 is temporary only. PAM3 guidance indicates the pending application does not by itself decide the genuine intention assessment and is considered separately.

What happens if I previously held a 870 visa and want another one?

The Migration Regulations 1994 compilation refers to clause 870.223, which requires at least 90 continuous days outside Australia after the previous 870 ceased, except in exceptional circumstances, for applicants outside Australia. This criterion is set out in the Migration Regulations 1994, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current requirement.

What home-country ties should I show for the 870 visa?

The official list includes significant financial ties such as a house, business or other major assets in your home country, and evidence of ties or commitments including family. A letter stating your reasons, plans and who you will visit is also requested.

How does officer discretion affect my evidence?

Because PAM3 policy has no legal force, an officer may depart from policy after supervisor discussion and recording reasons, so the same documents can be weighed differently in different cases. The Department therefore asks for as much evidence as possible to show the overall temporary-intention picture.