Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa

Overview

The Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) is a permanent visa that allows elderly parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to stay in Australia permanently. It is designed for parents who are already in Australia and meet the age requirement for the Age Pension.

This visa belongs to the Parent Migration Program, which has strict annual caps, making it one of the slowest processing visas available. Nonetheless, it allows eligible applicants to remain lawfully in Australia on a Bridging Visa A (BVA) while they await the outcome.

Key Features

• Permanent residency in Australia
• Access to Medicare, Centrelink (after waiting periods), and citizenship pathways
• Travel facility for 5 years from grant
• Option to include partner and dependent children
• Onshore application (must be in Australia at lodgement and grant)

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant Requirements

• Must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted
• Must be old enough to receive the Age Pension (currently 67+ depending on birthdate)
• Must be sponsored by an eligible child
• Must pass the Balance of Family Test
• Must meet health and character requirements
• Must not have visa cancellations or refusals that disqualify onshore applications
• Must hold a valid visa at time of application (visitor or temporary)

Sponsor Requirements

• Must be the child of the applicant
• Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Must be settled in Australia (usually for 2+ years)
• Must agree to act as sponsor and complete the required forms
• May be required to provide an Assurance of Support (see below)

Balance of Family Test

To pass this test, the applicant must show that:

• At least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or
• More children live in Australia than in any other single country

All children (biological, adopted, step) are counted, regardless of their age or whether they are dependent.

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Documents

• Identity documents
• Evidence of relationship to sponsor
• Evidence of age eligibility
• Proof of residence of children (to meet Balance of Family Test)
• Police clearances
• Medical checks (can be requested later)
• Sponsorship documents

Step 2: Lodge Visa Application

• Submit Form 47PA (Application for Migration to Australia by a Parent)
• Sponsor completes Form 40 (Sponsorship for Migration to Australia)
• Lodge by post to the Parent Visa Centre or online (depending on updates to process)

Step 3: Bridging Visa A (BVA)

• Once the 804 application is lodged, the applicant typically receives a Bridging Visa A
• This allows lawful residence in Australia during the processing period
• BVA may not include travel rights; a Bridging Visa B (BVB) is needed for travel

Step 4: Queue and Capping System

• Application is assessed for eligibility and assigned a queue date
• Processing is managed in chronological order once places become available in the program

Step 5: Final Decision

• Department assesses health, character, and all final criteria
• If approved, a permanent visa is granted

Processing Time

The Subclass 804 visa is part of the Non-Contributory Parent Migration stream, which is severely capped. As of current estimates:

This means the visa is often used as a means to stay lawfully in Australia long-term, rather than as a short-term migration strategy.

Visa Costs

The Assurance of Support may be required during processing and involves a bond and commitment from the sponsor to financially support the applicant to reduce dependence on public funds.

Common Use Cases

✅ Elderly Mother Already in Australia

A 70-year-old widowed mother from India is visiting her son in Australia. Her son is a permanent resident and has been settled for 3 years. He sponsors her under the Subclass 804 visa while she is in Australia on a visitor visa. She receives a Bridging Visa A and lives with her son while waiting for the visa decision.

✅ Married Parents of an Australian Citizen

A couple in their 70s visits their daughter in Sydney. They apply jointly under the Subclass 804 visa and are sponsored by their daughter. Both receive BVA and choose to settle in Australia permanently while waiting.

Common Hurdles

• Failure to meet the Balance of Family Test due to more children living abroad
• Applicant not old enough to qualify for Age Pension
• Applying from within Australia without holding a valid visa
• Inadequate evidence of relationship or identity
• Long processing times not clearly understood at time of application
• Assumption that the visa offers fast permanent residency

FAQs

Can I travel while my 804 visa is being processed?

Yes, but only if you apply for and are granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia. The standard Bridging Visa A does not allow international travel.

Can I include my spouse in the same 804 application?

Yes. Your partner can be included if they meet the eligibility criteria. This is common in joint parent applications.

What if my sponsor dies before the visa is granted?

The Department may allow a replacement sponsor, or the visa may continue under compassionate and compelling circumstances. This is considered case-by-case.

Do I need to pass an English test?

No. There is no English language requirement for the Subclass 804 visa.

Is there an option to fast-track this visa?

There is no priority processing available. If faster residency is required, consider applying for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 864) which has higher fees but shorter processing times.

Countries of Origin

Common applicants for the 804 visa come from:

• India
• China
• Vietnam
• Sri Lanka
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Lebanon
• Fiji

These are often countries with strong family ties and multigenerational households.

Things to Keep in Mind

❗ The Subclass 804 visa is not a short-term immigration pathway. Applicants must be prepared for a multi-decade wait and ensure they maintain legal residence in Australia.

❗ Sponsors must be willing to act as financial and legal support throughout the long application period.

❗ Consider consulting an agent or legal expert to explore temporary visa pathways, such as repeat visitor visas, during the wait period.

Resources

• Department of Home Affairs – Subclass 804
• Parent Visa Queue Calculator (Unofficial)
• Centrelink Age Pension Requirements
• Bridging Visa B Information

Need Help With the 804 Visa?

If you're supporting your parents to remain in Australia long-term, understanding the Subclass 804 visa in full is critical. From managing documents to planning for the long queue, we help you make sense of the process.

🌐 Visit ausvisalibrary.com to:

• Compare 804 with other parent visas
• Review processing times and alternatives
• Access document checklists

💬 Contact us if you need assistance navigating the aged parent migration journey. We're here to help you stay informed, confident, and supported.