Overview
The Contributory Aged Parent visas allow aged parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. These subclasses are "contributory," meaning they involve a higher Visa Application Charge (VAC) to offset potential healthcare and service costs, but they generally offer faster processing compared to non-contributory aged parent visas (Subclass 804).
Key Differences
- Subclass 864 (Permanent): A direct pathway to permanent residency.
- Subclass 884 (Temporary): A two-year temporary visa that allows applicants to spread the cost of the "contribution" by later transitioning to the Subclass 864.
Eligibility Criteria (March 2026)
1. Age Requirement
Applicants must be "aged" to apply. As of March 2026, the qualifying age for the Australian Age Pension is 67 years. You must have reached this age at the time of application.
2. The Balance of Family Test
You must meet the balance of family test, which requires that:
- At least half of your children and step-children are "eligible children" (Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible NZ citizens usually resident in Australia); OR
- There are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country.
3. Sponsorship
You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor, usually your child who is 18 years or older and "settled" in Australia (generally meaning they have lived in Australia lawfully for at least the last two years).
4. Assurance of Support (AoS)
For the Subclass 864, a 10-year Assurance of Support is required. This is a legal commitment by a person (usually the sponsor) to provide financial support so the applicant does not rely on government social security payments. As of 2026, the bank bond for a single applicant is AUD 10,000, and AUD 4,000 for any secondary adult applicant.
Visa Application Charges (2025-26 Financial Year)
The following fees apply as of March 2026:
| Visa Subclass | First Instalment (At Lodgement) | Second Instalment (Before Grant) |
| 864 (Permanent) | AUD 5,040 (Main Applicant) | AUD 43,600 (Per person) |
| 884 (Temporary) | AUD 5,040 (Main Applicant) | AUD 29,130 (Per person) |
Note: For 884 holders transitioning to the 864, a final installment of AUD 19,420 is required at the permanent stage.
Processing Times & Queue Updates
The Department of Home Affairs limits the number of parent visas granted each year (the "cap").
- Queue Release Dates: As of February 2026, the Department has released Contributory Parent applications with a queue date up to November 2018 for final processing.
- Estimated Wait Times: For new applications lodged in March 2026, the estimated processing timeframe is 15 years. While significantly faster than the 30+ year wait for the non-contributory Subclass 804, applicants should plan for a long-term bridging period.
Rights and Policy References
Medicare Eligibility
- Subclass 884 & 864 Holders: You are eligible to enroll in Medicare once the visa is granted.
- Applicants: If you have applied for the Subclass 864 (Permanent) and hold a valid Bridging Visa, you may be eligible for Medicare while your application is being processed, provided you have a "settled" child in Australia.
Bridging Visas & Work Rights
When applying onshore, you will typically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA).
Travel: If you need to travel overseas, you must apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia to ensure you can return.
Work Rights: BVA holders for Parent visas generally have full work rights in Australia while awaiting a decision.
