If your child is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and you are ready to join them in Australia permanently, the 804 Visa Australia — officially known as the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 — could be your pathway to a new life. This is an onshore permanent residence visa designed specifically for aged parents who want to live with their family in Australia.
But before you get excited and pack your bags, there is something every applicant must understand upfront: this visa comes with one of the longest waiting periods in the entire Australian immigration system. The good news is that once you lodge your application, you can remain in Australia legally while you wait — and that waiting period can be used wisely with the right guidance.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know about the 804 Visa Australia — from eligibility and the balance of family test to costs, documents, bridging visas, and your pathway to permanent residency.
What Is the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804?
The Subclass 804 visa is an onshore permanent residence visa for aged parents of Australian sponsors. “Onshore” means you must be physically present inside Australia when you lodge your application, and you must remain in Australia throughout the processing period.
Unlike some other parent visa options, the 804 is processed in Australia, which allows applicants to live with their families during what can be a very lengthy wait. It is one of two main permanent parent visa options — the other being the Subclass 103 (Parent Visa), which is an offshore option.
The 804 visa grants permanent residence upon approval, giving successful applicants the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, with access to Medicare and a pathway to Australian citizenship.
The 804 Visa Australia is not the fastest route — but for aged parents who want to be near their children while their application is processed, it is the most practical onshore option available.
Who Qualifies as an “Aged Parent”?
This is the first eligibility hurdle. To apply for the Subclass 804, you must meet the Australian definition of “aged” — meaning you have reached the qualifying age for Australia’s Age Pension.
Currently, the Age Pension qualifying age in Australia is 67 years for both men and women. If you have not yet reached this age, you would need to look at the Subclass 103 (Parent Visa) or the Contributory Parent visa options instead.
804 Visa Australia Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804, you must meet all of the following criteria:
You must be aged — having reached the Australian Age Pension qualifying age (currently 67 years).
You must be onshore — physically present in Australia at the time of application lodgement and throughout processing.
You must pass the Balance of Family Test — this is one of the most important and commonly misunderstood requirements of the 804 visa. More on this below.
You must have an eligible sponsor — an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is your child (or your partner’s child) and who meets the sponsorship requirements.
You must meet health requirements — a full medical examination by an approved panel physician is required.
You must meet character requirements — police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
You must not be subject to any exclusion periods — if you have previously been refused a visa or held a visa with certain conditions, exclusion periods may apply.
The Balance of Family Test — Explained Simply
The Balance of Family Test is a requirement unique to Australian parent visas, and it often catches applicants off guard. Understanding it clearly is essential before you lodge your 804 visa application.
In simple terms, the test requires that at least half of your children live in Australia as Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens — OR that more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country.
Here is how it works in practice:
Example 1: You have 4 children. 2 live in Australia, 1 lives in Pakistan, and 1 lives in India. You pass the test — half your children are in Australia.
Example 2: You have 3 children. 1 lives in Australia, 1 lives in India, and 1 lives in the UK. You fail the test — only one-third of your children are in Australia, and there is no single country where more children live than Australia.
Example 3: You have 3 children. 2 live in Australia and 1 lives in Sri Lanka. You pass the test — more children are in Australia than in any other single country.
A few important notes about the Balance of Family Test:
- A deceased child can still be counted if they were an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of death
- A child who is an Australian citizen but lives overseas may or may not count depending on circumstances — this is where professional advice becomes critical
- Step-children and adopted children may be included under certain conditions
Many applications from families in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh fail at this stage simply because no one checked the Balance of Family Test before lodging. Always verify this first.
Sponsor Requirements for the 804 Visa Australia
Your Australian-based child acts as your sponsor for the Subclass 804 application. The sponsor must:
- Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be your child or your partner’s child (including step-children and adopted children in some circumstances)
- Not have been a sponsor for two or more other parent visa applicants previously (unless an exception applies)
- Be willing to sign an Assurance of Support (AoS) — a legally binding financial commitment
What Is an Assurance of Support?
The Assurance of Support is a formal agreement where your sponsor (and possibly a second supporter) guarantees that you will not rely on certain Australian social security payments during the AoS period. If you do access those payments, the Australian government can recover the costs from your sponsor.
The AoS period for the Subclass 804 is 10 years. A bond must also be lodged with the Department of Social Services — this is a cash bond, not an insurance product — and it is refunded at the end of the AoS period if no recoverable payments were made.
The bond amount for a primary applicant is approximately AUD $10,000, with a secondary applicant requiring an additional AUD $4,000. These figures can change, so confirm current amounts with the Department of Social Services.
Documents Required for Subclass 804 Visa
Preparing a thorough, well-organised document package is one of the most important things you can do to avoid delays in your 804 visa application. Here is what is typically required:
Identity Documents
- Valid passport (all pages)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Change of name documents (if applicable)
Sponsor and Relationship Evidence
- Sponsor’s proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residence
- Your birth certificate showing relationship to sponsor
- If through a partner’s child — your partner’s birth certificate and marriage/de facto certificate
Balance of Family Test Evidence
- Birth certificates of all your children
- Documents showing Australian residency status of children in Australia
- Evidence of country of residence for children living overseas
Health and Character Documents
- Health examination results from an approved panel physician (arranged through ImmiAccount)
- Police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years
Financial and Sponsorship Documents
- Completed and signed Assurance of Support documentation
- Evidence of sponsor’s financial capacity
- AoS bond payment confirmation from Department of Social Services
Additional Supporting Documents
- Statutory declarations where required
- Any previous Australian visa documentation
- Evidence of current lawful status in Australia (e.g. bridging visa or current visa grant notice)
804 Visa Australia Processing Time — The Reality
Let us be completely honest here, because this is the part that surprises most applicants. The Subclass 804 visa has one of the longest processing times in the entire Australian immigration system.
Current estimates suggest processing times of 30 years or more from the date of lodgement. This is not a typo. The queue for this visa is extremely long because it is a permanent visa with no cap, and the number of applications lodged far exceeds the number processed each year.
This means the practical strategy for most 804 visa applicants is to:
- Lodge the 804 application as soon as eligible to secure a place in the queue
- Remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa A while waiting
- Use the waiting period to explore whether a faster Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is a better option for their situation
Bridging Visa for Subclass 804 Applicants
This is one of the most practically important aspects of the 804 Visa Australia process. When you lodge your Subclass 804 application while in Australia, you are automatically granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA).
The BVA allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is being processed — even if your original visa expires during this time. Under the BVA, you can:
- Remain in Australia lawfully
- Work in Australia (work rights are generally granted on BVA for parent visa applicants)
- Access Medicare (if eligible based on your country of origin)
However, if you wish to travel outside Australia while on a Bridging Visa A, you must apply separately for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before departing — otherwise your BVA will cease when you leave, and you may not be able to re-enter.
Many aged parents from South Asia who lodge the 804 visa application live comfortably in Australia with their families on a Bridging Visa for the duration of the queue — which is entirely the intended purpose of this onshore visa.
804 Visa Australia Cost and Fees
The Subclass 804 is considered an affordable entry point compared to the Contributory Parent visa options — but the total cost including associated fees adds up. Here is a realistic breakdown:
| Fee Item | Approximate Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Visa application charge — primary applicant | $4,350 |
| Visa application charge — secondary applicant | $2,175 |
| Assurance of Support bond — primary applicant | ~$10,000 |
| Assurance of Support bond — secondary applicant | ~$4,000 |
| Health examination (per person) | $300 – $600 |
| Police clearance certificates | $50 – $200 per country |
| Migration agent fees (if used) | $2,500 – $6,000+ |
The AoS bond is refundable at the end of the 10-year period, so while it is a significant upfront cost, it is not a permanent expense.
Compare this to the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864), which has a visa application charge of approximately AUD $47,435 for a primary applicant — significantly higher, but with processing times measured in months rather than decades.
Pathway to Permanent Residency — Is the 804 Visa Already PR?
Yes — the Subclass 804 is itself a permanent residence visa. Once granted, you do not need to apply for a separate PR visa. You receive permanent residency upon approval, which means:
- You can live in Australia permanently with no time limit
- You can work and study in Australia without restrictions
- You have access to Medicare
- You can sponsor other eligible family members in certain circumstances
- After meeting residency requirements, you can apply for Australian citizenship
The 804 visa does not have a temporary stage — unlike the Contributory Parent options (Subclass 173 and Subclass 884), which grant a temporary visa first before the permanent visa is granted.
804 Visa vs. Other Parent Visa Options — Quick Comparison
| Visa | Type | Processing Time | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 804 (Aged Parent) | Onshore Permanent | 30+ years | ~$4,350 |
| Subclass 103 (Parent) | Offshore Permanent | 30+ years | ~$4,350 |
| Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent) | Onshore Permanent | 2–5 years | ~$47,435 |
| Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent) | Offshore Permanent | 2–5 years | ~$47,435 |
For families where cost is the primary concern and time is less critical, the 804 is the preferred option. For families who can afford the higher fees and need a resolution within a few years, the Subclass 864 is worth serious consideration.
Practical Tips for 804 Visa Applicants from South Asia
For applicants from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, here are some specific practical points worth knowing:
Start early on police clearances. Obtaining police certificates from countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh can take several weeks. Factor this into your preparation timeline.
Health examinations must be done through approved panel physicians. You cannot use your own doctor. The Department of Home Affairs maintains a list of approved physicians in Australia.
Your current visa status matters. You should be in Australia on a valid visa when you lodge — a tourist visa, a previously granted bridging visa, or another substantive visa. Lodging when unlawful creates serious complications.
The AoS sponsor does not have to be the same person as the visa sponsor in all cases — but coordination between family members is essential to ensure both roles are properly covered.
Keep your address updated with the Department of Home Affairs throughout the processing period. Given the multi-decade wait, many applicants move homes multiple times. Failure to update your address can result in critical correspondence being missed.
Ready to Lodge Your 804 Visa Application?
The 804 Visa Australia process is long — but it is manageable with the right support, the right documents, and the right strategy from day one. Whether you are a parent in Pakistan hoping to reunite with your child in Melbourne, a family in India planning for retirement in Sydney, or parents from Sri Lanka or Bangladesh looking to join their children in Brisbane or Perth — the pathway exists, and Migration Factor is here to help you walk it.
Migration Factor specialises in Australian parent visa applications for families across South Asia. Our registered migration agents understand the balance of family test, the AoS process, and every document requirement inside out — so your application is lodged correctly the first time.
👉 Visit www.migrationfactor.com today and book your FREE consultation with our parent visa specialists.
Start the process now — because in a visa with a 30-year queue, the best day to lodge was yesterday. The second best day is today.
