Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
The Aged Parent visa is a permanent residency visa for older parents who are already in Australia on a valid visa. It is designed for parents who are old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension, even if they do not intend to claim it
Key points:
• It allows parents to live in Australia permanently.
• Applicants must be inside Australia when they apply and when the visa is decided.
• It can take many years (often over 10 years) for this visa to be granted, due to the very long queue.
• There are cheaper costs compared to faster parent visas (like the Contributory Parent visa), but patience is needed.
Key Eligibility Requirements
• Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, who has been living lawfully in Australia for at least two years.
• Be “aged”: You must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension (currently 67 years old, but age requirements depend on your birthdate).
• Meet the Balance of Family Test:
• At least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, OR
• More of your children must live in Australia than in any other single country.
• Have an eligible sponsor (usually your child).
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Provide an Assurance of Support:
• A financial bond to ensure you will not rely on government welfare for at least 10 years.
How Long Does it Take?
Processing times for the Subclass 804 visa are very long — typically 10 to 30 years depending on government quotas. Applicants usually stay on a Bridging Visa in Australia while waiting for a decision.
For faster options, some families choose Contributory Parent visas (Subclass 143/864), but those have much higher application fees (over AUD $45,000 per person).
Costs
Government visa fees (as of 2025):
• Base application charge: around AUD $4,990 (first installment)
• Second installment (before visa grant): AUD $2,065 per applicant
Other costs:
• Health exams
• Police checks
• Assurance of Support bond (around AUD $10,000–$14,000, depending on family size)
