Navigation
- What is the contributory aged parent (permanent) visa subclass 864 and eligibility
- What is the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa Subclass 884 and eligibility
- Bridging visa (BVA)
- What is the Balance of Family Test?
- What is AOS?
- Costs of 864&884 visas
- What is the processing time of 864&884 visas?
- Will I receive Medicare?
What is the contributory aged parent (permanent) visa subclass 864 and Eligibility
The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) introduced the contributory aged parent (permanent) visa (subclass 864) for pensioners who have children living in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen. When granted is permanent residency for pensioners whose children live in Australia. Through this visa you are entitled to stay in Australia indefinitely, apply for Australian citizenship, receive Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare scheme), Work and study in Australia and be a sponsor for your relatives.
Eligibility
- Be of Australian pensioner age (65 +)
- Children must be Australian citizens or permanent residency and are settled in Australia. Settled means a person has lived in Australia for a reasonable period which in most circumstances under DOHA policy is 2 years
- At least ½ of your children live in Australia or more then in any other country
- must meet health and character test
- be sponsored by an eligible person, normally your child/children
- Have undertaken the Balance of Family test (BFT) (see below)
- Completed and lodged Assurance of Support Detail (AOS) (see below)
What is the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa Subclass 884 and eligibility
The contributory aged parent (subclass 884) visa (temporary), when granted gives you 2 years residency in Australia, where you can work/study and allows you to apply for the permanent contributory aged parent (subclass 864).
Eligibility
- Be of Australian pensioner age (65 +)
- Have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Be in Australia at time of application, throughout the processing time
- Not have applied for or currently hold a sponsored parent (temporary) (subclass 870) visa
Bridging visa
If you enter Australia under a valid visa i.e., a visitor (subclass 600) visa, you can apply for a contributory parent visa (subclass 884/864) onshore. Once you apply for a contributory parent visa (subclass 884/864) you can be granted a bridging visa A (BVA). A BVA allows you to remain onshore for the duration of your application.
Balance of family test
In order to apply for this visa, the applicant must meet the requirements of the “balance of family test (BFT)” this assesses that the applicant/s must have at least half of their children living in Australia, settled as an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or that majority of your children live in Australia than any other country. This includes stepchildren and adopted children of both parents.
Assurance of Support Detail (AOS)
An Assurance of Support is essentially a bond with the Department of Human Services. It is an additional cost paid by the sponsor at the time of decision, for two applicants this is an estimated cost applicants $14,000. This is an agreement that financial support will be provided to the applicant/s to settle down in Australia and in circumstances of financial hardship so that there isn’t a dependency on government income (Centrelink). This amount is paid to the Department of Human Services and is an agreement to re-pay the Department of Human Services for any income support provided. The amount is repaid (minus debt to the Australian government) four years after the contributory aged parent (permanent) visa (subclass 864) is granted.
Costs of 864&884 visas
Subclass 864 permanent visa
AUD48,365
Subclass 884 temporary visa
AUD33,895
Processing time of 864&884 visas?
Check the estimated processing time for 864 and 884 visas here.
Access to Medicare
Both the holders of a Subclass 864 and Subclass 884 visas are eligible for Australia’s public-health cover (Medicare).
If you’ve applied for a temporary contributory parent visa (subclass 884) you may be entitled to a Medicare card. However, if you’ve applied for the permanent contributory visa (subclass 864) without holding a valid temporary contributory visa (subclass 884) you’re will not be eligible until your permanent Contributory visa (subclass 864) is granted.
