Visa Eligibility
Assess your age, family circumstances and current visa status before lodging.
Aged Parent Visa · Subclass 804
Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 Australia
If your parents are getting older and are already in Australia, the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 may give them a pathway to stay permanently with their family. To qualify, they must have an eligible settled child in Australia who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Onshore parent pathway
It is an onshore parent pathway with limited places, which means applications are capped and queued. Think Higher Consultants can assess your eligibility and assist with preparing the application.
Parent Visa Support
How We Can Help
Family Test
Review your children and stepchildren against the Balance of Family Test.
Sponsor Review
Check whether your proposed sponsor meets the relevant requirements.
Document Checklist
Prepare a tailored checklist covering identity, family, sponsorship and supporting evidence.
Application Support
Prepare and lodge your application through the current ImmiAccount process.
Ongoing Support
Assist with Home Affairs requests, queue updates and changes in circumstances.
Subclass 804
Visa Overview
| Feature | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent parent visa |
| Applicant age | Currently 67 years or older |
| Application location | Must be in Australia |
| Decision location | Must be in Australia |
| Sponsorship | Required |
| Balance of Family Test | Required |
| Assurance of Support | Required in the standard pathway |
| Government cost | Around AUD 8,665 for one applicant, as at August 2026 |
| Payment | Two instalments |
| Application method | Online through ImmiAccount |
| Processing estimate | Around 33 years for new Parent and Aged Parent applications |
| Bridging visa | Usually granted after a valid onshore application |
| Visa stay | Permanent |
| Medicare after grant | Yes |
| Travel after grant | 5-year travel facility |
Before You Apply
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you generally need to:
- Have a settled child in Australia
- Meet the Age Pension age
- Have an approved sponsor
- Pass the Balance of Family Test
- Arrange an Assurance of Support
- Meet health and character requirements
- Clear relevant Government debts
- Meet immigration-history requirements
- Be in Australia at application and decision
- Not hold or have applied for Subclass 870
Age Requirement
The Age Requirement Is Based on Australia’s Age Pension Age
You only need to have reached the qualifying age; you do not need to be receiving the Age Pension.
Sponsor
Sponsorship
An eligible sponsor is required. Depending on the family circumstances, sponsorship may be available from:
Settled Child
Usually the applicant’s settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen child.
Child’s Partner
A qualifying spouse or de facto partner may be able to sponsor in relevant circumstances.
Eligible Relative
Where the child is under 18, an eligible relative may be able to sponsor.
Community Organisation
An eligible community organisation may sponsor in limited circumstances involving a child under 18.
The sponsorship must be approved, with the required sponsor information and Form 40 – Sponsorship for Migration to Australia.
Balance of Family Test
You may meet the test if:
- At least half of your children and stepchildren are eligible children; or
- You have more eligible children in Australia than in any other single country.
You may need to provide evidence of your relationship with each child and their citizenship or permanent residence status.
ExampleIf two of your four children are eligible children in Australia, you may meet the test.
Assurance of Support
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is generally required before the visa can be granted. Home Affairs will advise when it needs to be provided.
Who Can AssureAn eligible individual, multiple people or an organisation may provide the assurance. The assurer does not have to be the visa sponsor.
4-Year PeriodThe Assurance of Support period is generally 4 years under current Services Australia arrangements.
Possible ExemptionApplicants under the separate Retirement visa pathway may be exempt from this requirement.
Government Charge01 02
Aged Parent Visa 804 Cost
As at August 2026, the government visa application charge starts from around AUD 8,665 for a single applicant.The charge is paid in two instalments:
First Instalment
Paid when the application is lodged.
Second Instalment
Paid when Home Affairs requests it and before the visa can be granted.
Capped & QueuedParent & Aged Parent visasAround 33 years Contributory Parent visasAround 15 years
What the estimates mean
How the queue moves
Processing Time
Applications are capped and queued because Parent visa places are limited.
These are estimates for new applications, not guaranteed individual processing times. The significant difference in waiting periods is an important factor when comparing parent visa options.
Eligible applications receive a queue date after initial assessment and move to final processing as places become available.
Queue dates and processing estimates can change.
During the Queue
While Your Application Is Processing
01
Bridging Visa
Lawful statusA valid onshore applicant is likely to receive a bridging visa, which can keep them lawful after their current visa expires.
Work rightsWork rights are not automatic and depend on the conditions attached to the bridging visa. Check VEVO before working.
Current visaDo not cancel your current visa simply because the application has been lodged, as this may affect your lawful status or bridging visa position.
02
Travel Rights
Bridging Visa AA Bridging Visa A does not provide return travel rights.
Leaving AustraliaIf you need to leave and return to Australia while waiting, you may need a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before departure.
Decision locationYou must also be in Australia when Home Affairs makes the visa decision.
03
Medicare Access
While waitingLodging the application does not automatically provide Medicare access while you wait.
Reciprocal arrangementsSome applicants from countries covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement may qualify if they meet the relevant conditions.
After grantAfter the visa is granted, you can enrol in Medicare as an Australian permanent resident.
Online Application
How to Apply
New applications lodged on or after 22 April 2026 are currently submitted online through ImmiAccount.
Check Eligibility
Confirm your age, sponsorship, family test, current visa conditions and onshore eligibility.
Prepare Evidence
Gather identity, relationship, family and sponsor documents.
Lodge Online
Complete the application through ImmiAccount, upload the required documents and pay the first instalment.
Queue Assessment
Home Affairs assesses whether the application meets the requirements for placement in the Parent visa queue.
Final Assessment
When released from the queue, complete any outstanding health, character, Assurance of Support or document requirements.
Visa Decision
Pay the second installment when requested. You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when the application is decided.
Application Evidence
Document Checklist
The exact documents depend on your circumstances. Common evidence can include:
01Passport & ID
02Parent-Child Evidence
03Sponsor Documents
04Family Test Evidence
05Relationship Documents
06Dependant Documents
07Health & Character
08Assurance of Support
09Previous Parent Visa Evidence
Do not arrange police checks or the Assurance of Support before being asked where Home Affairs instructs you to wait.
Included Family
Family Members
Partner
An eligible spouse or de facto partner may be included.
Dependent Child
An eligible dependent child may form part of the application.
Adult Dependant
A child aged 18 or older must meet the applicable dependency requirements.
Non-Migrating Family
Family members must still be declared even when they are not migrating. Health or character checks may be requested where required.
Parent Visa Pathways
Compare Parent Visa Options
| Visa | Main Difference |
|---|---|
| Subclass 804 | Permanent aged-parent pathway lodged in Australia; lower government charge but very long queue |
| Subclass 103 | Permanent Parent visa for eligible parents who do not rely on the aged-parent onshore pathway |
| Subclass 864 | Permanent contributory aged-parent visa; substantially higher cost but shorter current estimated queue |
| Subclass 870 | Temporary parent visa for stays of 3 or 5 years. |
The right pathway depends on age, location, current visa conditions, family circumstances, budget and how long you are prepared to wait.
Think Higher Consultants
Why Choose Think Higher Consultants?
Registered Agent
Guidance from Aneel Khowaja, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1571699.
11+ Years
More than 11 years of Australian migration experience.
RMA Reviewed
Migration information and case strategy are reviewed by a Registered Migration Agent.
Parent Visas
Experience assisting families with Australian parent and family migration matters.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There an 804 Queue Calculator?
Home Affairs does not currently provide an official calculator that can predict an individual decision date. It publishes queue milestones and broad processing estimates instead.
What if I Already Have Another Parent Visa Application?
If another Parent visa application is still undecided, it may need to be withdrawn as part of applying for this pathway.
Can I Add a Family Member After Lodging?
An eligible family member may be added before a decision in applicable circumstances. The current process may require Form 1436 together with identity and relationship evidence.
What if My Circumstances Change?
Notify Home Affairs about relevant changes such as a new passport, address, relationship status or family composition while the application is being processed.
Parent Visa Enquiry
Get Help With Your Parent Visa
Think Higher Consultants can assess your circumstances and assist with the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804.
EligibilitySponsorshipFamily evidenceDocument preparationImmiAccount lodgementOngoing Home Affairs requirements
Book a consultation with Think Higher Consultants to discuss your parent visa options.