A Pathway for Pension aged Parents to Live Permanently in Australia
The Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa allows elderly parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia. This visa is designed for parents who meet age requirements and have children willing to sponsor them.
Key Benefits of the Subclass 804 Visa
✅ Permanent residency with full working rights
✅ Access to Medicare and aged care services after visa grant
✅ Pathway to citizenship (after residency requirements)
✅ A much lower visa application charge than the Contributory Parent visas — AUD 6,600 base plus a second instalment of AUD 2,065 per person, against from AUD 49,900 for the subclass 143 (Department of Home Affairs, checked 14 September 2026)
Important Note:
⚠️ The Department of Home Affairs publishes an estimated processing time frame of 33 years for new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications, and 15 years for Contributory Parent visas, because these visas are capped and queued. As at 31 May 2026 the Department had released Aged Parent (804) applications queued up to April 2014 for final processing. Source: Department of Home Affairs, Parent visas queue release dates, checked 14 September 2026. An estimate is not a commitment and your own application may differ
Eligibility Requirements
For Parents (Applicants)
✔ Must meet the pension age requirement
✔ Must meet the Balance of Family Test (at least half of children must be Australian permanent residents or Citizens)
✔ Must be sponsored by an eligible child in Australia
✔ Must meet health and character requirements
For the Sponsor (Child in Australia)
✔ Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen
✔ Must be settled in Australia (usually for at least 2 years)
✔ Must provide an Assurance of Support (AoS) (financial guarantee)
Application Process & Timeline
- Lodge Application Onshore – Must be in Australia when applying
- Receive Bridging Visa – Allows stay while waiting
- Wait for Processing – Home Affairs estimates about 33 years for new applications
- Visa Grant – When approved, receive permanent residency
Why Consider Alternative Options?
Due to extremely long processing times, families often explore:
✔ Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) – Shorter estimated wait (Home Affairs estimates about 15 years for new contributory applications) but higher cost
✔ Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870) – Allows stays of 3-5 years
How Immigrad Can Help
✅ Assess eligibility for Subclass 804 or alternative visas
✅ Guide on Balance of Family Test requirements
✅ Assist with Assurance of Support (AoS) process
✅ Provide updates on processing times
Start Your Aged Parent Visa Application
📞 Call: [+61 434 294 670]
✉️ Email: [info@immigrad.com.au]
🌐 Website: [www.immigrad.com.au]
Book a Free Consultation
Official Resources
Home Affairs – Aged Parent Visa (804)
Balance of Family Test Details
Note: Immigration regulations change frequently. While we maintain current knowledge, we recommend verifying information with the Department of Home Affairs or consulting a registered migration agent.
FAQs
Q: Can I work while waiting for the visa?
A: Yes, if you hold a Bridging Visa with work rights.
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: Yes, but significantly lower than contributory parent visas.
Q: Can I include my spouse in the application?
A: Yes, partners can be included as secondary applicants.
Need help? Contact us today.
Key questions answered
Short, self-contained answers to the questions we are asked most often about the subclass 804 Aged Parent visa. All charges below were checked against the Department of Home Affairs on 14 September 2026.
How much does the subclass 804 Aged Parent visa cost?
The base application charge is AUD 6,600 for the main applicant. Each additional applicant aged 18 or over is AUD 3,300, and each additional applicant under 18 is AUD 1,655. A second instalment of AUD 2,065 per person is payable before the visa is granted. The Department of Home Affairs lists the total as from AUD 8,665 over two instalments for a single applicant.
Who is eligible to apply for a subclass 804 Aged Parent visa?
You must have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and you must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia. You cannot apply if you have already applied for, or hold, a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa. Applications for subclasses 103, 143, 804 and 864 must now be lodged online through ImmiAccount.
How long does a subclass 804 Aged Parent visa take?
The Department of Home Affairs publishes an estimated processing time frame of 33 years for new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications. These visas are capped and queued: a maximum number can be granted each program year, and the rest wait. As at 31 May 2026 the Department had released Aged Parent applications queued up to April 2014 for final processing, and acknowledges new applications in about four weeks. No agent can shorten that queue.
What can you do once a subclass 804 visa is granted?
It is a permanent visa. You can stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and travel to and from Australia for five years from grant. If eligible you can attend free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program and later apply for Australian citizenship, subject to meeting the citizenship requirements.
How is the subclass 804 different from the subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa?
Both are permanent Parent visas with the same core requirement of an eligible sponsoring child. The subclass 804 is far cheaper, at from AUD 8,665 over two instalments for a single applicant, against from AUD 49,900 for the subclass 143. The 804 also requires you to be old enough to receive the Australian age pension. Home Affairs publishes separate queue release dates for contributory and non-contributory Parent visas.
Related Immigrad pages
Compare the other parent pathways on our Parent visas overview, read about the faster but far more expensive subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa or the offshore subclass 103 Parent visa, or contact Immigrad to discuss which pathway you are eligible to apply for.
General information only, current as at 14 September 2026. It is not personal migration advice and does not take your circumstances into account. Charges and requirements change; always confirm current figures with the Department of Home Affairs. Complex cases should be discussed with a registered migration agent. Immigrad is operated by Oceans Consultancy Pty Ltd. Gaurav Duggal, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1805710.