Aged Parent visa
(subclass 804)
The Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) visa is intended for aged parents (that is over the set retirement age of Australians), of settled Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, providing them the opportunity to reside permanently in Australia.
Key features of this visa include:
1. Permanent Residency: Holders of this visa can stay indefinitely in Australia as permanent residents.
2. Family Sponsorship: They have the ability to sponsor eligible family members to join them in Australia.
3. Citizenship Eligibility: If eligible, visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the necessary criteria and requirements.
This visa serves as a pathway for aged parents to reunite with their families in Australia on a permanent basis and integrate into Australian society.
With Aged Parent Visa you can
The Subclass 804 Parent Visa allows you to:
Stay in Australia Indefinitely: Holders of this visa can reside in Australia indefinitely as permanent residents.
Work and Study: You are permitted to work and study in Australia without any restrictions.
Enrol in Medicare: You can access Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare, for your medical needs once your visa is granted (unless eligible under reciprocal arrangements).
Sponsor Family Members: You have the opportunity to sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia.
Apply for Australian Citizenship: If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for Australian citizenship to become a citizen of Australia.
This visa offers a pathway for partners to live together in Australia, providing various rights and opportunities for integration into Australian society.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
With the Subclass 804 Partner Visa, you have the privilege to travel to and from Australia without restrictions for a period of 5 years from the date of visa grant. This travel facility remains valid as long as the visa’s travel component is still active.
If you wish to travel beyond the initial 5-year period, here’s what you need to consider:
- Apply for Resident Return Visa (RRV): You will need to apply for and obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident after the initial 5-year travel facility expires.
- Consider Australian Citizenship: You may also want to explore the option of Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa to enter Australia. Instead, you will need to apply for an Australian passport, which you can use for international travel. Be sure to review the eligibility requirements and processing times for Australian citizenship.
To check the expiry date of your travel facility, you can use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service. This allows you to verify your visa details, including the travel component’s validity period.
​How long you can stay
Processing times for this visa are determined based on recent decisions made on similar applications. However, it’s important to note that this information serves as a general guide and may not be specific to your individual application. To obtain accurate processing time estimates, you can utilize our visa processing time guide tool.
It’s worth mentioning that processing time data does not include applications previously affected by Ministerial Direction 80, which has since been superseded. Applicants impacted by this directive have been contacted individually, and their applications are now being processed accordingly.
Include family
Cost
The Subclass 806 Partner Visa has a base application fee starting from AUD4,990.00. Additionally, there is an extra charge for each family member included in the application.
The payment for this visa is divided into two instalments:
1. First Instalment: Pay the initial instalment when submitting your application.
2. Second Instalment: Pay the second instalment when requested by the authorities.
Please note that there may be additional costs for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics for each applicant.
To calculate the total cost of your visa application, you can utilize the Visa Pricing Estimator. However, please be aware that the estimator does not factor in the second instalment or other associated expenses.
For detailed information on visa fees and charges, refer to the relevant resources provided by the Australian government.
Apply from
To apply for the Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa, you and any accompanying family members must be physically present in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, at the time of application submission and at the time of decision. This means you must be within Australia’s borders but not undergoing immigration procedures at the time of lodging the visa application or at the time of decision. Note that you must apply for this visa on paper only.
It’s essential for all applicants, including family members, to meet this requirement to ensure the smooth processing of the visa application. Therefore, make sure that you and your family members are physically present in Australia when submitting the paper application.
Processing times
Due to the high demand for Parent visas exceeding the available quota each year, processing times for these applications can be extensive and is currently 29 years.
To get an idea of the current processing times for this visa category, you can refer to the visa processing time guide tool, which provides insights into the processing times of recently decided applications. However, please note that these times are indicative and may vary based on individual circumstances.
Several factors can contribute to delays in processing your application, including incomplete form submissions, missing documents, or the need for additional information from you. Additionally, the verification of provided information may also take considerable time.
It’s crucial to ensure that you accurately fill out your application, include all required documents, and promptly respond to any requests for further information to avoid unnecessary delays.
Please be aware that your application cannot be processed until the correct visa application charge is paid. In case of any discrepancies, you will be notified, and if necessary, your application will be returned.
Due to the high demand and limited quota, applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing. You can learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities through available resources provided by immigration authorities.
Assessment
The assessment process for this visa unfolds in two distinct stages:
1. Initial Eligibility Check: During this stage, we evaluate your application to ascertain its eligibility. If deemed eligible, your application will either be added to the visa queue for further processing or refused if it fails to meet the criteria.
2.  Once a place becomes available in the visa queue, we proceed with the thorough assessment of your application. This involves reviewing all submitted documents, verifying information, and conducting necessary checks. Based on this assessment, a decision will be made regarding the granting of the visa.
It’s important to note that until your visa is officially granted, you should not make arrangements to stay permanently in Australia. You will receive written notification from us if your visa application is approved.
For detailed information about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities, you can refer to additional resources provided by the immigration authorities. These resources offer insights into the processing procedures and timelines for this visa category.
Consider another visa
In addition to the Parent visa (subclass 804), there are other Parent visa options available, including:
1. Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864): This is a permanent visa option. While Contributory Parent visas may have faster processing times, they come with higher costs.
2. Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) followed by a permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864): This two-step visa process may offer quicker processing times compared to the subclass 804 visa. However, it incurs higher costs than applying directly for the Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864), albeit spread across the two visas over a longer period.
3. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870): This temporary visa allows parents to visit their children in Australia for periods of up to three or five years at a time, with a cumulative maximum stay of 10 years.
Each visa option has its own requirements, processing times, and costs. You can explore all available visa options on our visa list page to determine the most suitable option for your circumstances.
Your obligations
You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.
Visa label
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Eligibility
Not have this visa
If you have already applied for or currently hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), you are ineligible to apply for the Parent visa (subclass 804).
Have a sponsor
To apply for the Parent visa (subclass 804), you must have an eligible sponsor. Typically, this sponsor is your adult child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. However, if your child is under 18 years old, you may be sponsored by an eligible relative or a community organization.
It’s important to note that the sponsorship must be approved by the immigration authorities as part of the visa application process. This ensures that the sponsorship meets the necessary criteria set forth by the Australian government.
Be this age
You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
Meet the health requirement
As part of the application process for the Parent visa (subclass 804), both you and any family members who are included in your visa application must meet the health requirement set by the Australian immigration authorities.
Additionally, there is a possibility that we may request that other non-migrating family members also meet the health requirement. This ensures the overall health and well-being of the individuals associated with the visa application.
Meet the character requirement
As part of the application process for the Parent visa (subclass 804), both you and any family members included in your visa application must meet the character requirement set by the Australian immigration authorities.
Additionally, there is a possibility that we may request that other non-migrating family members also meet the character requirement. This ensures the integrity of the visa application and adherence to Australian immigration standards.
Meet the balance-of-family test
You must meet the balance-of-family test. You meet the balance of family test if:
at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
there are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country
See examples of how the balance-of-family test is applied.
Have assurance of support
To be eligible for the Parent visa (subclass 804), you must be able to obtain an assurance of support. This assurance acts as a commitment from a sponsor or sponsor group to provide financial support to you and any family members accompanying you on the visa.
The assurance of support assures the Australian government that you will not need to rely on government assistance once you enter Australia on this visa. It covers both you and any family members who immigrate with you.
We will provide you with specific instructions on when and how to provide the assurance of support during the visa application process.
For more detailed information about assurances of support and their requirements, you can refer to additional resources provided by the Australian immigration authorities.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or have an approved arrangement in place to pay it back.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
Your immigration background will be taken into account when assessing your application, potentially impacting your eligibility for the visa if you’ve experienced visa cancellations or refusals. However, under certain conditions, you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa despite past visa cancellations or refusals. For more detailed information on this topic, refer to the document “Limitations on applications in Australia” (129KB PDF).
If you’re applying for a visa from outside of Australia, it’s advisable to consult the resource “Can I go to Australia” for relevant guidance.
Should you require assistance with your visa application process, you can explore options for immigration support by referring to “Who can help with your visa application.”
Sign the Australian values statement
If you’re 18 years or older, you’re required to fulfill the following criteria:
- Familiarize yourself with the content of the Life in Australia book, either by reading it or having its contents explained to you.
- Â Sign an Australian Values Statement, affirming your commitment to respecting the Australian way of life and adhering to Australian laws.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
When applying for the Subclass 801/820 Partner Visa, you have the option to include members of your family unit in your application. It’s mandatory to provide details of all your family members, regardless of whether they are migrating or not.
If you have a partner, you must include their information in your application, even if they are not applying for the visa alongside you.
All family members included in the application, whether migrating or not, must meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian government. This ensures that all individuals associated with the visa application meet the necessary standards for entry into Australia.