Aged Parent Visa | Subclass 804
Aged Parent Visa
The Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) is a permanent residency pathway designed for parents who are already in Australia and have reached the Australian retirement age. While this visa is subject to significant capping and queueing by the Department of Home Affairs, its primary advantage is allowing parents to remain in Australia indefinitely on a Bridging Visa while their application is being processed.
Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent Residency (Onshore) |
| Stay | Indefinite |
| Cost | From $7,345 (Paid in two instalments)1 |
| Processing Time | Approx. 30+ years for new applications (Subject to Queue)2 |
| Key Requirement | Applicant must be in Australia and meet Age Pension age |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 804 visa, you must meet several key criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs, with specific focus on age and onshore status.
1. The Onshore Requirement & Age Limit
You must be physically present in Australia to apply for this visa. Crucially, you must be of Australian Pension Age at the time of lodgement. As of 2026, the pension age for both men and women is 67 years or older. Additionally, your current visa must not have a “No Further Stay” condition (Condition 8503).
2. Balance of Family Test
This test measures your family ties to Australia. You pass if at least half of your children and step-children are “eligible children” (Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia), or if more of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
3. Eligible Sponsorship
You must be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. A child is generally considered “settled” if they have lived lawfully in Australia for at least the two years prior to the application.
4. Assurance of Support (AoS)
Before the visa is granted (which occurs at the end of the long processing queue), you will need a legal commitment from an assurer (usually your child) to provide financial support so you do not rely on government social security.
How to Apply for the Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa
A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Visa Conditions
The first step is a comprehensive check of the applicant’s age and current visa conditions. We ensure no bars exist that would prevent an onshore application.
Step 2: Prepare Documentation and Balance of Family Proof
We compile a decision-ready file including birth certificates, sponsorship forms, and a detailed family tree to satisfy the Balance of Family requirements.
Step 3: Lodge the Paper-Based Application
Unlike many other visas, the 804 application must be submitted via post to the Parent Visa Centre. Upon receipt of a valid application, the applicant is granted a Bridging Visa, allowing them to remain in Australia lawfully.
Step 4: Queue Placement (The “Queue Date”)
The Department initially assesses the application to ensure it meets the core requirements. If successful, you are assigned a Queue Date and placed in the official line for a permanent visa place.
Step 5: Final Assessment and Grant
When your place in the queue is reached (which currently takes several decades), the Department will request final health and character checks and the second instalment of the visa fee.
Being on a Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa means…
What You Can Do on the 804 Visa
Once granted, the subclass 804 provides full permanent residency rights:
- Indefinite Stay: Live and work in Australia permanently.
- Medicare Enrolment: Access Australia’s public healthcare system.
- Citizenship Pathway: Apply for Australian citizenship when residency requirements are met.
- Sponsorship: Sponsor other family members for Australian visas.
Your Visa Obligations
While waiting on a Bridging Visa, parents must maintain their health insurance and notify the Department of any change in address. Once the 804 is granted, the 2-year Assurance of Support period begins.
The Pathway to Australian Citizenship
After 4 years of lawful residence (including 12 months as a permanent resident), your parents may be eligible for citizenship. See our Citizenship page here for further details about attaininig Australian citizenship.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
While the subclass 804 has a long processing timeline, the immediate benefit is the ability for parents to stay in Australia with their families. A single error in the initial paper-based lodgement can result in an invalid application and the loss of bridging visa status.
Our Subclass 804 Services include:
Bridging Visa Strategy: Managing the transition from visitor visas to the 804 to ensure continuous lawful stay.
Condition 8503 Waivers: Expert assistance in requesting the removal of “No Further Stay” conditions where applicable.
Decision-Ready Application Lodgement: Our Registered Migration Agents ensure every document is perfect, securing your queue date without delay.
Long-Term File Maintenance: We act as your ongoing point of contact with the Department over the decades of waiting.
Medicare & Rights Advisory: Guidance on what parents can and cannot do while waiting in the 804 queue.
And much, much more.
Don’t risk your parents’ lawful status. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa
Q: Can my parents work while waiting for the 804 visa?
A: Generally, the Bridging Visa issued with an onshore 804 application carries the same work rights as the visa held at the time of application. Most visitor visas do not have work rights.
Q: Can they travel outside Australia while the 804 is processing?
A: Yes, but they must apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia. Traveling without a BVB will cause the application to be withdrawn.
Q: Why would I choose the 804 if the wait is 30 years?
A: The main reason families choose the 804 is the cost saving compared to the $48,000 “Contributory” fee, combined with the legal right for parents to live onshore with their family during the entire wait period.
Q: What happens if the sponsor moves overseas?
A: The sponsor must remain “settled” in Australia. If the sponsor moves away permanently, the visa eligibility may be compromised. Our agents can advise on sponsorship changes.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 16 April 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
