Contributory Aged Parent Visas | Subclasses 864 and 884
Contributory Aged Parent Visas
The Contributory Aged Parent visas (subclasses 864 and 884) allow aged parents who are already in Australia to transition to permanent residency. These pathways are specifically designed for those who have reached the Australian pension age and wish to significantly reduce the multi-decade wait times associated with non-contributory parent visas.
The Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) is a permanent visa, while the subclass 884 is a two-year temporary visa that acts as a financial stepping stone. Both require you to be onshore and meet the Age Pension age, providing a faster (though a higher-cost route) to staying with your family in Australia indefinitely.
Subclasses 864 and 884 Contributory Aged Parent Visas – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent (864) or Temporary (884) |
| Stay | Indefinite (864) / 2 Years (884) |
| Cost | From $6,300 (Initial) + ~$43,600 (Contribution)1 |
| Processing Time | Subject to Capping and Queued2 |
| Key Requirement | Aged 67+ & Balance of Family Test |
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 these onshore parent visas, you must meet strict age, family, and residency criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.
1. Onshore Status & Age Requirement
You must be physically present in Australia when you lodge your application. Crucially, you must have reached the Australian Age Pension age (currently 67 years or older for both men and women as of 2026). Furthermore, your current visa must not have a “No Further Stay” (8503) condition.
2. The Balance of Family Test
This is the core requirement for all parent visas. You must demonstrate that 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 that 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. In most cases, the sponsor must have been a resident of Australia for at least the two years prior to the application lodgement.
4. Assurance of Support (AoS)
For the permanent 864 visa, an Assurance of Support is mandatory. This is a legal commitment by an assurer (usually your sponsor) to repay the Australian Government for any social security payments claimed by the applicant during the first 10 years in Australia. A bond of $10,000 for the main applicant is typically required.
How to Apply for the Subclasses 864 and 884 Contributory Aged Parent Visas
A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Preliminary Eligibility & Condition Check
We verify your age against current pension standards and conduct a forensic audit of your current visa conditions to ensure you are legally permitted to lodge onshore.
Step 2: Lodge the Application & Secure a Bridging Visa
The application is lodged with the Department. Because this is an onshore application, you will typically be granted a Bridging Visa, allowing you to remain in Australia while your parent visa is processed.
Step 3: Queue Placement & Initial Assessment
The Department performs an initial assessment to ensure you meet core requirements. Once met, your application is added to the Contributory Aged Parent queue.
Step 4: Assurance of Support & Final Checks
When your application reaches the front of the queue, the Department will request your Assurance of Support bond, updated health examinations, and police clearances.
Step 5: Second Instalment & Visa Grant
Upon successful assessment and payment of the significant Second Instalment (contribution fee), your permanent (864) or temporary (884) visa is granted.
Being on a Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa means…
What You Can Do on the Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent visa
As a permanent resident, you can:
- Live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.
- Sponsor eligible relatives for other Australian visas.
- Apply for Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met.
Your Visa Obligations
The primary obligation is the 10-year Assurance of Support period. Your sponsor remains financially responsible for any social security debts you incur during this decade. You must also comply with all Australian laws.
The Pathway to Australian Citizenship
After living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years, with at least the last 12 months as a permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship. See our Citizenship page here for further details about attaininig Australian citizenship.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The Contributory Aged Parent pathway is a major financial and life decision. A single error in a Balance of Family calculation or an incorrect onshore lodgement can lead to a refusal and potential deportation.
Our Subclass 864/884 Services include:
Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment by Registered Migration Agents to confirm you meet the Age Pension age and Balance of Family test.
Strategic Onshore Planning to ensure you are eligible to lodge while in Australia, including 8503 condition waivers.
Assurance of Support (AoS) Management, guiding your children through the complex Services Australia income test and bond process set by Services Australia in the Social Secutiy Act 1991 (Cth) and in accordance with the Migration Act 1958 legislative provisions.
Decision-Ready Application lodgement to secure your queue date as early as possible.
Full Bridging Visa Management, ensuring you maintain lawful status and we also offer services to facilitate travel rights (Bridging Visa B) while you wait.
And much, much more.
Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. Talk to an expert today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 103 Parent Visa
Q: What is the difference between the 864 and 884 visa?
A: The 864 is a permanent visa with a higher upfront cost. The 884 is a 2-year temporary visa that allows you to split the contribution fee by paying a portion now and the remainder when you transition to the 864 later.
Q: Can I apply if I am currently in Australia on a Visitor Visa?
A: Yes, provided your Visitor Visa does not have a “No Further Stay” (8503) condition. If it does, you must apply for a waiver before lodging. We are able to assist you in such instances.
Q: Do I get Medicare immediately after lodging?
A: No. Applicants for the 864/884 are generally only eligible for Medicare once the visa is granted, not at the time of lodgement. We recommend maintaining private health insurance.
Q: What happens if my visa is refused?
A: f your visa is refused, you may have rights to appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Our firm is highly experienced in ART Merits Reviews for family visas. For further details click here.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source for Subclass 864: Department of Home Affairs Subclass 864. Source for Subclass 884: Department of Home Affairs Subclass 884. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 17 April 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
