Eligibility Quiz
Application Process
You must lodge your Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa application on paper while physically present in Australia on a valid substantive visa. The Department processes applications strictly in order of receipt, meaning you will enter a queue and wait your turn for final assessment. As of early 2026, the estimated waiting time is 30 to 33 years from the date you lodge.
Before You Lodge
Check your eligibility first. You must:
- Be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension (currently 67 years if born on or after 1 January 1957)
- Be in Australia on a valid substantive visa or Bridging Visa A, B, or C (not in immigration clearance)
- Pass the balance of family test: at least half your children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens living anywhere, or more of your eligible children must live in Australia than in any other single country
- Have an eligible sponsor (your adult child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, settled in Australia for at least 2 years)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Have no outstanding debts to the Australian government
- Not have had a previous visa cancelled or application refused while in Australia
Verify the exact age requirement for your date of birth on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Appoint a representative if needed. You can appoint a registered migration agent, legal practitioner, or exempt person to help you prepare and lodge your application. This is strongly recommended given the complexity of the balance of family test and the long processing timeline.
Step 1: Gather All Required Documents
Prepare certified copies of the following (except where noted):
Identity Documents
- Current passport showing photo, personal details, and issue/expiry dates
- National identity card (if available)
- Proof of name change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or official change-of-name document) if applicable
Sponsor Documents
- Proof of your sponsor's Australian citizenship or permanent residency
- Your sponsor's identity documents
- Completed Form 40 (Sponsorship for migration to Australia)
Balance of Family Test Documents
- Birth certificates for all your children and step-children
- Evidence of each child's Australian citizenship or country of permanent residence (citizenship certificates, permanent residency documents, or passports)
- Death certificates for any deceased children
- Marriage and divorce certificates (if applicable)
Character Documents
- Original police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years (do not certify these; submit originals only)
Health Documents
- Arrange a medical examination with a Department of Home Affairs-approved panel physician. The physician will submit results directly to the Department.
Family Relationship Documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce or separation documents
- Death certificates (if applicable)
Photographs
- Four recent passport-sized photographs (45mm × 35mm), taken within the last 6 months, in colour, showing full face against a plain light-coloured background
Translation and Certification
- All non-English documents must be translated into English by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) if translated in Australia. Translators outside Australia do not need NAATI accreditation but must include their full name, address, telephone number, qualifications, and experience on each translation.
- All supporting documents must be provided as certified copies (except original police certificates). A certified copy is a photocopy certified by an authorised person (such as a lawyer, accountant, or notary public) who has sighted the original.
Step 2: Complete the Application Forms
Download and complete Form 47PA (Application for a parent to migrate to Australia). This is the main application form.
Your sponsor must complete Form 40 (Sponsorship for migration to Australia).
Each family member aged 18 or over must complete Form 47A (Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over).
Step 3: Pay the First Instalment
The first instalment of the visa fee is AUD $4,640 (or approximately AUD $5,280 depending on current fee schedules; confirm the exact amount when you lodge). This fee is non-refundable if your application is refused.
Step 4: Lodge Your Application by Post or Courier
You cannot apply online or in person. Send your completed forms, certified documents, and first instalment payment by post or courier to the address specified on Form 47PA. Keep copies of everything you send.
Do not send original documents. Send only certified copies, except for original police certificates (which must be originals, not certified copies).
Step 5: Initial Assessment and Queue Entry
The Department will acknowledge receipt of your application. During initial assessment (typically several weeks to a few months), the Department checks whether you meet basic eligibility criteria. If you pass, your application is assigned a queue date (the date it was assessed as meeting initial criteria) and enters the queue in strict order.
Once your application is queued, you will typically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA), which allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while waiting. The BVA generally includes work rights.
Important: You must stay lawful by holding a valid visa at all times. If your current visa expires before the BVA is granted, apply for a new visa or bridging visa immediately to avoid becoming unlawful.
Step 6: Waiting in the Queue
The Department publishes Parent visa queue release dates to show which applications are being released from the queue for final processing. As of early 2026, applications queued around July 2013 are being released. This means a new application lodged in 2026 will likely wait approximately 30 to 33 years before being released for final assessment.
During this waiting period:
- Keep the Department informed of any changes to your contact details, passport, marital status, or family composition
- If you need to travel outside Australia, apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before you depart. Leaving on a BVA without a BVB causes the BVA to cease, and you cannot return.
- Arrange private health insurance if you are not covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). Countries covered include the UK, New Zealand, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, and Malta. For aged parents not covered by RHCA, expect to pay AUD $200–$400+ per month for comprehensive health insurance.
Step 7: Final Assessment
Once your application is released from the queue, the Department conducts final assessment. You will be asked to:
- Provide or update health examination results (if not already done)
- Provide updated police clearance certificates if required
- Provide an Assurance of Support (AoS) if the Department requests one
The Assurance of Support is a legally binding commitment from your sponsor that you will not rely on Australian government social security payments for a specified period. Your sponsor must meet specific income thresholds and lodge a bank guarantee. Current examples (as of 2026):
| Sponsor Situation | Annual Household Income Required | Bank Guarantee Required |
|---|---|---|
| Single sponsor assuring 1 parent | AUD $34,805.36 | AUD $5,000 |
| Single sponsor assuring 2 parents | AUD $52,208.04 | AUD $7,000 |
| Couple sponsor assuring 1 parent | AUD $52,208.04 | AUD $10,000 |
| Couple sponsor assuring 2 parents | AUD $69,610.72 | AUD $14,000 |
The bank guarantee is returned to your sponsor after 10 years.
Step 8: Pay the Second Instalment
Before your visa is granted, you must pay the second instalment. The Department will send you an invoice when it is due. The second instalment brings your total visa fee to approximately AUD $7,345. If you do not pay by the deadline, your application will be refused.
Step 9: Visa Decision
You must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when the Department makes its decision. The Department will notify you in writing of the outcome. If approved, you will be granted permanent residency.
From April 2025: ImmiAccount Import
From 2 April 2025, you can import your paper application into ImmiAccount after lodgement to access online services. This allows you to:
- Attach supporting documents
- View messages from the Department
- Update your personal details
- Track your application status
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| First instalment (primary applicant) | AUD $4,640–$5,280 |
| Second instalment (primary applicant) | Approximately AUD $2,065 |
| Total visa fee (primary applicant) | Approximately AUD $7,345 |
| Secondary applicant (18 years or over) | AUD $2,320 |
| Secondary applicant (under 18 years) | AUD $1,160 |
Total estimate: For a single applicant, approximately AUD $7,345. For a couple, add the secondary applicant fee (AUD $2,320 each) to the total.
Does not include:
- Medical examination fees: AUD $300–$500 per person
- Police clearance certificates: Varies by country
- Document translation: Varies depending on volume and language
- Migration agent fees (if used): AUD $2,000–$4,500+
- Private health insurance during bridging visa period: AUD $200–$400+ per month for elderly applicants (critical cost for those not covered by Reciprocal Health Care Agreements)
- Assurance of Support bank guarantee (if required): AUD $5,000–$14,000 (returned after 10 years)
Processing Time
Initial Assessment
Several weeks to a few months. The Department checks whether you meet basic eligibility criteria and assigns a queue date if you pass.
Queue Wait
Approximately 30 to 33 years for a new application lodged in 2026. As of early 2026, the Department is processing applications lodged around July 2013. Applications are processed strictly in order of their queue date as places become available each financial year.
Final Assessment (After Queue Release)
Several months to 1–2 years once your application is released from the queue. During this stage, the Department requests any remaining documents (updated health checks, police clearances, Assurance of Support), verifies information, and makes a final decision.
Total Processing Time
30 to 33+ years from lodgement to visa grant.
Factors That May Extend Processing
- Incomplete or missing documents
- Information that takes time to verify
- Complex family circumstances
- Health or character issues requiring investigation
- Changes to your personal circumstances during the queue period (e.g., sponsor death, family composition changes)
Comparison to Other Parent Visas
- Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent): Approximately 4–7 years, but costs significantly more (around AUD $45,000–$55,000 total per applicant)
- Subclass 103 (Parent Visa): Approximately 31 years, similar to 804 but applied from outside Australia
Document Validity During Processing
- Passport: Must be valid when you lodge and when the visa is granted. Renew if it expires during processing.
- Police certificates: Generally valid for 12 months from issue. You may be asked to provide updated certificates if your application is released from the queue more than 12 months after you submitted them.
- Medical examination: Valid for 12 months. You may be asked to undergo a new examination if your application is released from the queue more than 12 months after your initial examination.