Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804: Requirements, Balance of Family Test and What to Expect
The Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 is a permanent visa for older parents who are already in Australia and whose children mostly live here. Home Affairs describes it as a permanent visa for an older person whose children live mainly in Australia. It gives the right to stay permanently, which is why it is one of the most sought after family visas, and also why the wait for a decision is one of the longest in the Australian migration program.
Many families come to this visa with a hopeful picture and discover too late that the queue is measured in decades, that the visa must be applied for from inside Australia, and that the sponsor takes on real financial obligations. This page explains the subclass 804 plainly so that you can decide whether to apply, what to prepare, and what other options may be worth considering at the same time.
It is written for Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to bring their parents to live in Australia, and for parents from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Europe who are already in the country on another visa. If you would like your family situation reviewed by a person, Migration Factor offers a free consultation. You can request a free consultation through our contact form. Nothing on this page guarantees a visa outcome or a timeframe, and the rules and settings can change, so treat this as a planning guide.
On this page
What the Subclass 804 Visa Is
The subclass 804 is a permanent visa that allows an eligible older parent to live in Australia permanently. Holders can work and study, access Medicare and apply for citizenship once they meet the residence requirements. Practitioner sources note a five year travel facility after the visa is granted, after which a resident return visa is needed to keep travelling as a resident.
It is an onshore visa. The parent has to be in Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted, and cannot be in immigration clearance at the time of application. This is a major difference from the contributory parent visas, which can be applied for from outside the country.
The visa is capped. The government grants only a limited number of non contributory parent places each year, so applications are placed in a queue, and processing is measured in many years. The visa suits families who have strong reasons to stay in Australia for a long time and who understand what the wait involves.
Who the Visa Is For
The subclass 804 is for parents who meet the age requirement, pass the balance of family test, are in Australia, and have a sponsor who meets the Department's criteria. Typical applicants include:
- Parents already in Australia on a visitor visa or another temporary visa whose children are Australian citizens or permanent residents
- Parents who have been living in Australia for some time and want a permanent solution
- Parents whose children mainly live in Australia and who have limited ties elsewhere
- Families who understand the wait and who are willing to plan around it
If your parent is overseas and wants to apply from outside Australia, this visa is not the right one. A contributory parent visa, which has a higher cost but a shorter wait, may be worth looking at. The details differ, so check the current requirements.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
The main requirements for the subclass 804 reported by practitioners and the Department are:
- The parent is at least 67 years old, which reflects Australian pension age. They do not need to be receiving the Age Pension
- The parent is in Australia when they apply and is not in immigration clearance
- The parent passes the balance of family test
- The parent has an eligible sponsor, usually an adult child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- The sponsor is able to meet the sponsorship obligations, including accommodation and financial support
- An assurance of support is provided when the Department asks for it
- The parent has not applied for, and does not hold, a Sponsored Parent temporary visa
- Any condition that restricts further stay does not prevent the application, or it has been waived
- The parent meets health and character requirements, as do any family members who are included
Check the current requirements on the Home Affairs website before you lodge. The Department can change the details, and a missed requirement can mean losing a valid application.
The Balance of Family Test
The balance of family test is the most misunderstood part of the subclass 804. It asks whether the parent has enough children who are settled in Australia compared with children elsewhere. A parent generally passes if at least half of their eligible children are Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Australia, or if they have more eligible children in Australia than in any other single country.
For example, if a parent has four children and two are eligible children in Australia, the parent meets the at-least-half requirement, even if the other two live in the same overseas country. Eligibility depends on each child’s status and the rules about which children are counted. Stepchildren may count, and exclusions must be supported by evidence.
Because the test is so sensitive to family details, it is worth working it out carefully before you pay a visa charge. Gather evidence of each child's citizenship or residence status and where they live. If a child should not be counted, such as because they have passed away, the Department may want documents to confirm this.
The Sponsor
The sponsor is usually the parent's adult child, or that child's spouse or partner. The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia. Some sources report that they must have lived in Australia for at least two years, so check the Department's current requirement.
Sponsorship is a serious commitment. A sponsor agrees to support the parent financially and to help with accommodation for a period after the visa is granted. Reported periods vary between sources, so please confirm the current period in the Department's guidance. The sponsor should understand what they are agreeing to and be honest about their own financial position.
Assurance of Support
An assurance of support is a legal commitment, given to the government, that the parent will not need to rely on certain social security payments for a set period. It is generally requested near the end of processing rather than at lodgement, and the Department advises when to provide it. The assurer does not always have to be the sponsor, but they must meet the financial requirements.
The assurance period, income requirements and any bond depend on the visa and the assurer’s circumstances. Confirm the applicable requirements with Services Australia when requested. Any bond refund is subject to the government’s conditions and outstanding debts.
Application Charges and Costs
The subclass 804 visa application charge is paid in two instalments: the first when applying and the second before grant, when requested. Additional applicants can attract further charges. Check the current Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before budgeting or paying; fees can change and depend on the application circumstances.
The visa charge is not the only cost. Budget for:
- The assurance of support bond, which is a refundable deposit held for a set period
- Medical examinations for the parent and any family members included in the application
- Police certificates and character documents from each country where the parent has lived
- Certified translations and document copies
- Bridging visa costs, if the parent needs to travel during processing
- Professional assistance, if you choose to use it
Visa application charges are not refunded if the application is refused or withdrawn, so be sure the parent is eligible before lodging.
Processing Time and the Queue
Subclass 804 processing is subject to annual limits and a queue. Waiting times can be extremely long. Home Affairs publishes current estimates and queue release dates; these are planning information, not a promise about an individual application.
The government limits the number of places each year. Home Affairs assesses valid applications in lodgement-date order, then assigns a queue date after the application meets the core criteria. Applications are released for final processing in queue-date order. The queue date is not necessarily the lodgement date.
Families should plan carefully for a potentially very long wait. Consider future health, living arrangements and finances, and whether another pathway might serve the family better.
Bridging Visas While You Wait
After a valid onshore application, the parent is usually granted a bridging visa, which allows them to stay lawfully in Australia while the application is processed, including after their previous visa expires. A bridging visa is not the same as the permanent visa, and it has its own conditions.
Practical points about bridging visas include the following.
- A Bridging Visa A generally does not give permission to leave and return to Australia. If the parent leaves without the right permission, they may not be allowed to return and the application can be affected
- Travel normally requires a Bridging Visa B, which must be applied for before the trip
- Work rights are not automatic and depend on the conditions of the bridging visa, which are often linked to the previous visa. Check the conditions on the Department's Visa Entitlement Verification Online service
- Access to Medicare can be limited while on a bridging visa, depending on the circumstances, so health insurance is worth considering
Keep copies of every bridging visa grant and check their conditions regularly. A lapse in lawful status can create serious problems for a parent in the queue.
Health and Character Requirements
The parent and any family members included in the application must meet health and character requirements. Follow Home Affairs instructions about health examinations during queue assessment and final processing. Character requirements include police certificates from countries where the parent has lived for a certain period.
A significant health condition can affect a parent visa application. Health requirements and whether any waiver is available depend on the visa criteria. Seek advice early and do not assume that a waiver is available for subclass 804.
Documents Checklist
Document requirements depend on the family, but a solid starting checklist includes:
- The parent's passport and identity documents
- Evidence of the parent's age
- Evidence that the parent is lawfully in Australia and their current visa details
- The sponsor's identity documents and evidence of citizenship, permanent residence or eligible New Zealand status
- Evidence of the relationship between the sponsor and the parent, such as birth certificates
- Details and evidence for every child of the parent, including citizenship or residence status and where they live, for the balance of family test
- Evidence for children who should not be counted, such as a death certificate
- The sponsor's financial documents, where needed
- Police certificates and military records from relevant countries
- Health examination results when requested
- Certified English translations of any document that is not in English
Names, dates and relationships must match across documents. A mismatch in a child's date of birth or a missing document can lead to delays that are hard to recover from in a long queue.
How to Apply Step by Step
The usual sequence for the subclass 804 is below.
Confirm the parent meets the age requirement and is in Australia, and that no condition prevents a valid application.
Work through the balance of family test carefully, with evidence for every child.
Confirm that the sponsor is eligible and understands the obligations.
Check the current application charge and any other costs.
Gather the documents, including certified translations.
Lodge the application through ImmiAccount under the current Home Affairs instructions, with the first instalment of the charge.
Keep your bridging visa details and update the Department about any changes in your circumstances, such as a new address or a change in a child's status.
When the Department asks, provide the assurance of support, health examinations and any additional documents.
Pay the second instalment before the visa is granted.
Wait for the decision, and keep your family's details up to date throughout the wait.
An application that is complete when lodged is easier to keep in the queue. Mistakes in the balance of family test or missing sponsor documents can cause problems years later.
Alternatives to Consider
Because the subclass 804 has a very long wait, many families look at other options in parallel. Some alternatives to understand include:
- Contributory parent visas. These cost much more but have a shorter wait. The charge is substantial, so compare it carefully with the benefits.
- Sponsored parent temporary visas. These can allow a parent to stay for extended periods without permanent residence. Note that holding or applying for some of these can affect eligibility for the subclass 804, so check before you apply.
- Visitor visas. Short term stays that do not give permanent residence.
- Other family or skilled pathways. Depending on the family, another visa may be available to the parent or to another family member.
The right strategy depends on the parent's age and health, the family's finances and the family's long term plans. A consultation can help you compare these before you commit to one path.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused or Fail
Problems with subclass 804 applications come from a limited number of causes.
- The parent does not pass the balance of family test
- The parent is not in Australia, or is in immigration clearance, when applying
- The parent does not meet the age requirement
- The sponsor does not meet the eligibility criteria or cannot meet the financial obligations
- The parent has applied for or holds a Sponsored Parent temporary visa
- A condition restricting further stay prevents the application and has not been waived
- Health or character concerns that are not resolved
- Incomplete or inconsistent documents, including mismatched names and dates
- An assurance of support that is not provided when requested
- False or misleading information, which can have serious long term consequences
Many of these can be addressed before you lodge. The most important step is a careful, honest assessment of the family's circumstances before the charge is paid.
Considerations for Families From Pakistan, India and Other Countries
Families from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka commonly ask about documenting the status and location of every child, because many families have children in more than one country. The balance of family test depends on these details, so records of each child's citizenship or residence and where they live should be complete and consistent. Certified translations are required for documents not in English, and getting police certificates from the parent's home country can take time.
The requirements do not differ by nationality. What matters is the parent's age, location, the balance of family test, the sponsor's eligibility and the family's patience for the queue. Families from Europe face the same rules, although they may have different documents to supply.
Australian sponsors should also think about the practical side. Housing, health costs, and the parent's care needs over many years can be significant, and the assurance of support is a formal commitment, not just a formality.
How Professional Help Can Assist
A migration professional cannot shorten the queue, guarantee a visa or change the annual cap. What a good adviser can do is help you work through the balance of family test, confirm that the sponsor and parent meet the requirements, check documents for consistency, explain the bridging visa conditions, compare alternatives and advise on what to do if the family's circumstances change.
This review is most useful before you pay the visa charge, because the charge is not refunded. Make sure anyone you pay for immigration advice in Australia is appropriately authorised, and ask to see their registration details.
Why Consider Migration Factor
Migration Factor provides information and assistance on Australian visa pathways, including family and parent visas. We offer a free consultation where you can talk through your parent's situation, your family's circumstances and your options before deciding on your next step. To arrange one, request a free consultation through our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804?
It is a permanent visa for older parents who are in Australia and whose children mostly live in Australia. It requires an eligible sponsor, the balance of family test and an application made from inside Australia.
What are the subclass 804 visa requirements?
The parent must be at least 67, in Australia and not in immigration clearance, pass the balance of family test, have an eligible sponsor, meet health and character requirements and provide an assurance of support when requested.
What is the age requirement for the aged parent visa?
The parent must be at or above Australian pension age, which is reported as 67. They do not need to be receiving the Age Pension.
What is the balance of family test?
It checks whether at least half of the parent's eligible children live in Australia as citizens or permanent residents, or whether more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country.
Who can sponsor a parent for the 804 visa?
Usually an adult child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen settled in Australia, or that child's spouse or partner. The sponsor must meet the Department's criteria and obligations.
How long does the aged parent visa take to process?
The wait can be extremely long because places are capped and applications are queued. Check Home Affairs for the current estimate and queue release dates; individual processing times can vary.
How much does the aged parent visa cost?
The application charge is paid in two instalments, with additional applicant charges where applicable. Confirm current amounts in the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator and budget separately for medicals, documents and any assurance of support requirements.
What is the assurance of support?
It is a financial commitment, given to the government, that the parent will not need certain social security payments for a set period. It involves a refundable bond, and the details have changed over time, so check the current requirements.
Can my parent work or travel while waiting?
It depends on their bridging visa. Work rights are not automatic, and a Bridging Visa A generally does not allow travel. A Bridging Visa B is normally needed before leaving Australia. Check the conditions before any trip.
Can my parent apply from overseas?
No. The subclass 804 must be applied for from inside Australia. A contributory parent visa may be an option for parents who are overseas, at a higher cost.
Is the aged parent visa available to parents of permanent residents?
Yes, if the sponsor is an eligible permanent resident and the other requirements are met. The sponsor must meet the Department's criteria.
Can Pakistani and Indian parents apply for the 804 visa?
Yes, if they are in Australia and meet the requirements. The criteria are the same for every nationality, and the balance of family test depends on where the parent's children live.
Why do aged parent visa applications fail?
Common causes include failing the balance of family test, not meeting the age or location requirement, an ineligible sponsor, an unresolved restriction on further stay, missing documents and false information.
Next Step
If you are working out the balance of family test, deciding between the subclass 804 and other parent visa options or want to understand what the wait will mean for your family, request a free consultation with Migration Factor through our contact form. Please bring your parent's passport and visa details and a list of all of their children with their citizenship and location, so the conversation can be specific.
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Request a consultationContent supplied by Migration Factor. This is general planning information, not a visa eligibility decision. Check current Home Affairs and Services Australia requirements before applying. Read the official Home Affairs guidance.
