Overview
The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884) allows aged parents to live in Australia for up to two years. This visa is designed as a transitional pathway for those who intend to apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) but wish to spread the costs over two stages. To apply for this subclass, the primary applicant must be in Australia at the time of application and when the Department of Home Affairs makes a decision.
Benefits of the Subclass 884 Visa
With this visa, you and your family members can:
- Reside in Australia for a period of up to two years.
- Work and study in Australia (without government support).
- Access the Medicare healthcare system (if eligible under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement).
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you like during the visa's validity.
- Apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 864) visa.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Subclass 884 visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age Requirement: You must be old enough to receive the Australian age pension. As of 2026, the qualifying age is 67 years or older.
- Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor, usually a child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Balance of Family Test: You must meet the balance of family test. This means at least half of your children must be settled in Australia, or more of your children must live in Australia than in any other single country.
- Location: You must be physically present in Australia when you lodge your application.
- Health and Character: You and any family members included in the application must meet Australia’s health and character standards.
Application Fees (2026 Rates)
According to the latest 2026 fee schedules from the Department of Home Affairs, the costs for the Subclass 884 visa are as follows:
| Applicant Type | Base Application Charge (1st Instalment) |
| Primary Applicant | AUD 5,040 |
| Additional Applicant (18+) | AUD 2,515 |
| Additional Applicant (Under 18) | AUD 1,260 |
Note on Second Instalment: A second instalment of AUD 29,130 per person is required before the visa is granted. This is the contributory component of the visa cost. Applicants who progress to the permanent Subclass 864 visa later will be required to pay a final instalment at that stage.
Processing Times
The Subclass 884 visa is a "capped and queued" visa. The Australian Government limits the number of Parent visas granted each migration year. Consequently, specific percentile benchmarks (50% and 90%) are not currently published for this subclass as processing is based on the date the application was queued.
- 50% of Applications: Not Available (Capped and Queued)
- 90% of Applications: Not Available (Capped and Queued)
Current Status: As of April 2026, the Department of Home Affairs is releasing applications for final processing that were queued up to November 2018. Applicants should anticipate a total timeframe that reflects this queue position.
FAQ Section
Can I extend my Subclass 884 visa? No. This is a temporary visa valid for two years only. It cannot be extended or renewed. You must apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 864) visa before your current visa expires to remain in Australia lawfully.
How do I provide my contact details? You must provide a valid Australian mobile number and email address in your application. You are required to notify the Department if these details change during processing.
Can I include my partner in the application? Yes, you can include your partner and other dependent family members at the time you lodge your application. They must also meet health and character requirements.
Will I have access to Medicare? Holders of a temporary Subclass 884 visa do not have full access to Medicare unless they are from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. Once you apply for the permanent Subclass 864 visa, you may become eligible to enrol.
