Aged Parent Visas
Subclass 804 & 864
The Aged Parent visas allow older parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently.
They are intended for parents who are old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension and who are already in Australia on a valid visa at the time of application. There are two main pathways:
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Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (non-contributory): Lower cost, but very long queue (can exceed 30 years).
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Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa: Much faster processing (generally several years), but with a significantly higher visa application charge.
You may be eligible if you meet all of these:
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You are in Australia at the time of application.
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You are the parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who has lived in Australia lawfully for at least 2 years.
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You meet the Age Pension age requirement at the time of application.
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You meet the Balance of Family Test.
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You meet health and character requirements.
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You have an Assurance of Support (AoS) from your sponsor (usually your child).
Processing Times
Both visas are lodged onshore, and applicants are generally granted a Bridging Visa to remain lawfully in Australia during the waiting period.
Subclass 804
Extremely long queue - estimated 30+ years. Very limited places each year
Subclass 864
Usually processed within a few years, depending on demand and allocation of places
Costs & Fees
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Subclass 804 is non-contributory, meaning lower application charges but very long processing times.
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Subclass 864 is contributory, with higher costs but much faster processing.
Key Benefits
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Both visas provide permanent residency, access to Medicare, work rights, and a pathway to citizenship (if eligible).
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Subclass 804 is a lower-cost option suitable for parents who wish to remain on a Bridging Visa long-term.
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Subclass 864 offers a faster route to permanent residency, suitable for those willing to pay the higher contributory charge.
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Lodging onshore allows parents to stay in Australia during processing, often for many years.
Process
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Check eligibility (aged requirement + Balance of Family Test)
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Prepare documents and Assurance of Support
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Lodge Subclass 804 or 864 application onshore while holding a valid visa
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Receive a Bridging Visa to remain in Australia during processing
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Health and character checks
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Application placed in queue (for 804) or processed under contributory stream (for 864)
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Pay second instalment (864 only)
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Visa processed and permanent residency granted
Common Scenarios & Q&A
01. What is the “aged” requirement?
You must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension at the time of application. This age is currently 67 (but may vary depending on date of birth).
02. Can I apply offshore?
No. Both Subclass 804 and 864 are onshore visas. You must be in Australia at both application and grant.
03. Will I get a Bridging Visa?
Yes. If you apply while holding a valid visa, you’ll typically receive a Bridging Visa A, allowing you to remain in Australia lawfully during processing. For travel, you may need to apply for a Bridging Visa B.
04. How long will it take to be processed?
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Subclass 804: Can exceed 30 years.
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Subclass 864: Usually several years, depending on quota.
05. Do I need to pay the contributory second instalment?
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Subclass 804: No second instalment
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Subclass 864: Yes — this is the main cost difference, making the visa more expensive but faster.
