Overview of the Contributory Aged Parent Visas
The Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) visa (subclass 864) and the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) are designed for older parents who have a child living in Australia. These visas are "contributory" because the Australian Government requires a higher application fee to help offset the costs of healthcare and social services for the applicants.
The subclass 884 is a temporary visa that allows parents to stay for two years, often used as a stepping stone to spread out the high costs of the permanent subclass 864 visa.
Key Benefits
With the permanent subclass 864 visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident.
- Work and study in Australia without restriction.
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
- Sponsor eligible family members for other Australian visas.
- Apply for Australian citizenship, provided you meet the residency and eligibility requirements.
- Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of the visa grant.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for these visas in 2026, you must:
- Be in Australia when the application is lodged and when the visa is granted.
- Meet the Age Requirement: You must be of an age where you are eligible for the Australian Age Pension (currently 67 years of age).
- Have an Eligible Sponsor: Usually a child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Meet the Balance of Family Test.
- Meet Health and Character Requirements: This includes medical examinations and police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.
- Not hold a Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa at the time of application.
The Balance of Family Test
This test measures your ties to Australia. You meet the balance of family test if:
- At least half of your children and step-children are "eligible children" (Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Australia).
- More of your eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country.
2026 Visa Fees and Costs
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has updated the visa application charges for the 2025-26 program year. These fees are typically paid in two instalments.
| Visa Subclass | First Instalment (Base Charge) | Second Instalment (Per Applicant) |
| 864 (Permanent) | AUD 5,040 | AUD 43,600 |
| 884 (Temporary) | AUD 5,040 | AUD 29,130 |
Note: For the 884-to-864 pathway, a subsequent base charge of AUD 445 applies, followed by a final instalment of AUD 19,420.
Processing Times (2026 Benchmarks)
Parent visa applications are subject to a Capped and Queued system. This means the Department only grants a specific number of visas each year.
As of April 2026, the Department of Home Affairs reports the following benchmarks:
- Queue Release Date: Applications currently being finalised for grant are those with a queue date of November 2018.
- Queue Assessment: The Department is currently assessing applications for "queue-ready" status that were lodged up to April 2023.
- New Applications: For new applications lodged in 2026, the estimated processing time is at least 12 years.
Note: Processing times for the temporary to permanent pathway (Subclass 884 to 864) are significantly faster, usually between 12 and 18 months once the permanent stage is reached.
Assurance of Support (AoS)
For the permanent subclass 864 visa, an Assurance of Support is mandatory. This is a legal commitment by a person (usually the sponsor) to provide financial support to the applicant so they do not rely on social security payments.
- The Bond: A financial bond must be lodged with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
- Amount: Currently AUD 10,000 for a single applicant or AUD 14,000 for two applicants.
- Duration: The bond is held for 10 years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I include my partner in the application?
Yes, you can include your partner and other dependent family members in your application at the time of lodgement. Additional fees apply for each dependent.
What is the difference between Subclass 804 and 864?
The subclass 804 (Aged Parent visa) has a much lower application fee but significantly longer processing times, often exceeding 30 years. The 864 is a "contributory" visa, meaning you pay a higher fee for faster (though still substantial) processing.
Do I get a Bridging Visa while I wait?
Since these are onshore applications, you will generally be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is processed. You should apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) if you intend to travel outside Australia during the waiting period.
Can I work on a subclass 884 visa?
Yes, the subclass 884 visa provides full work rights in Australia for the two-year duration of the visa.
Is there a mobile app to track my application?
While there is no specific mobile app, you can track your application status via your ImmiAccount on any mobile or desktop browser.
