Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

The Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa is a permanent residence visa for aged parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It is an onshore, non-contributory visa, meaning you must be physically present in Australia when you apply and you do not pay a large second contribution fee like some other parent visas require. Once granted, the 804 gives you permanent residency and the right to stay in Australia indefinitely.

This visa is fundamentally different from the Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent) visa, which costs significantly more but processes much faster (4–7 years instead of 30+ years). The 804 is for families who can afford to wait a very long time but cannot afford the higher financial contribution of the 864.

Important: As of early 2026, the Department of Home Affairs is processing applications lodged around July 2013. New applications lodged today face an estimated waiting time of 30 to 33 years before a decision is made. This is not a pathway for urgent family reunification.

Your sponsor may be required to provide an Assurance of Support. Current financial thresholds (as of 2026) are:

• Single sponsor assuring 1 parent: Annual household income of AUD $34,805.36; Bank Guarantee of AUD $5,000
• Single sponsor assuring 2 parents: Annual household income of AUD $52,208.04; Bank Guarantee of AUD $7,000
• Couple sponsor assuring 1 parent: Annual household income of AUD $52,208.04; Bank Guarantee of AUD $10,000
• Couple sponsor assuring 2 parents: Annual household income of AUD $69,610.72; Bank Guarantee of AUD $14,000

The bank guarantee is returned to your sponsor after 10 years.

The Subclass 804 visa costs AUD $7,345 for a single applicant, paid in two instalments:

• First instalment: Paid when you lodge your application (approximately AUD $5,280)
• Second instalment: Paid before the visa is granted, which may be many years later (approximately AUD $2,065)

If you have a spouse or dependent children applying with you, additional fees apply:

• Secondary applicant 18 or over: AUD $2,320
• Secondary applicant under 18: AUD $1,160

Fees are non-refundable if your application is refused.

Beyond government fees, budget for:

• Medical examination: AUD $300–$500 per person
• Police clearance certificates: Varies by country
• Document translation: Varies by volume and language
• Migration agent fees (if used): AUD $2,000–$4,500+
• Private health insurance during the bridging visa period: AUD $200–$400+ per month (critical if you are not from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia)

Applications are processed in strict queue order based on the date your application is assessed as meeting initial eligibility criteria (your "queue date"). The Department does not process applications faster based on urgency, family circumstances, or health.

Current waiting time: Approximately 30 to 33 years for a new application lodged in 2026. As of early 2026, the Department is processing applications that were lodged around July 2013.

Applications are assessed in two stages:

1. Initial assessment: The Department checks whether you meet basic eligibility criteria and either assigns you a queue date or refuses your application. This stage typically takes several weeks to a few months.

2. Final assessment: Once your application is released from the queue (after many years), the Department conducts final assessment, requests any remaining documents (health checks, police clearances, Assurance of Support), and makes a decision.

The Department publishes Parent visa queue release dates to show which applications are being released from the queue for final processing.

Once you lodge your 804 application, you will typically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA), which allows you to:

• Remain lawfully in Australia while your application is in the queue
• Work in Australia (generally included)
• Study in Australia

Important: The Bridging Visa A does not automatically allow you to travel outside Australia. If you need to travel overseas while waiting for your 804 decision, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before you depart. If you leave Australia on a BVA without a BVB, your BVA ceases and you cannot return — your 804 application may also be affected.

Health Insurance During the Bridging Period

While on a Bridging Visa A, you are generally not eligible for Medicare (Australia's public healthcare scheme) unless you are from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. Countries covered include the UK, New Zealand, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, and Malta.

If you are not from an RHCA country, private health insurance is essential for the entire waiting period. For a parent aged 67–75, expect to pay AUD $200–$400+ per month for comprehensive coverage. Over a multi-year waiting period, this adds up to a substantial cost.

Migration Amendment (Substituted Subclass 600 Visa Exemptions) Regulations 2025

The Australian Government introduced changes that allow certain applicants who hold a Substituted Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa to apply for parent visas, even if they do not meet the usual age requirement. This amendment applies retrospectively from 17 December 2024, meaning individuals who were previously granted a Substituted Subclass 600 visa before this law came into effect remain eligible for a parent visa.

ImmiAccount Import Capability (April 2025)

From April 2025, applicants can import paper applications into ImmiAccount after lodgement. This allows you to access online services to attach supporting documents, view messages, update your details, and track your application status.

2025 Parent Visa Reforms (Proposed)

The Australian Government announced plans to introduce major reforms to parent visas in 2025 to simplify the application process, adjust financial requirements, and increase visa availability. These reforms are expected to begin from 1 July 2025 and may include greater emphasis on family reunification, adjusted financial requirements for Assurance of Support, and a simpler visa framework.

• Permanent residency: You can stay in Australia indefinitely.

• Work: You can work in Australia and are protected by Australian workplace law.

• Study: You can study in Australia.

• Healthcare: You can enrol in Medicare, Australia's public healthcare scheme. However, newly arrived residents may have to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments and benefits (Age Pension: 10 years; most other social security payments: 2 years).

• Travel: You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date your visa is granted. After 5 years, you will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, or you can apply for Australian citizenship.

• Family sponsorship: You can sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.

• Citizenship: If eligible, you can apply for Australian citizenship.

• English language classes: You may be eligible to attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

• Driving: You can use your overseas driving licence in most Australian states and territories for a limited period (typically 3 months). After that, you must obtain an Australian driver's licence.