Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

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Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa: Stay with Your Family in Australia

The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a non-contributory parent visa designed for parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who wish to live in Australia permanently. This visa is available for parents who are in Australia and meet the age requirement for the Australian age pension (currently 67 years or older).

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the 804 visa:

You must be in Australia at the time of application and when the visa is granted.
You must be sponsored by an eligible child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You must meet the balance of family test: at least half of your children must live in Australia, or more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country.
You must be aged 67 or older (meeting the age requirement for the age pension in Australia).
You must not hold a visa with an 8503 ‘No Further Stay’ condition.
You must meet health and character requirements.

Key Features

Permanent residence: Live in Australia permanently.
Access to Medicare: Australia’s public health care system.
Work rights: No restrictions on work.
Travel: Unlimited travel to and from Australia once granted.
Pathway to citizenship: Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.

Cost

The 804 visa is a non-contributory visa with significantly lower government fees compared to contributory parent visas. However, it comes with a much longer processing time.

Assurance of Support (AoS): AUD$5,000 for the main applicant and AUD$2,000 for a partner, held for two years.

Visa Application Charges: Lower than contributory visas, but exact figures vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances and should be confirmed with the Department of Home Affairs at the time of application.

Processing Time

The 804 visa is subject to very long processing times, often up to 30 years. However, once the application is lodged, you may be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA), allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia while awaiting the outcome.

Who Should Consider the 804 Visa?

This visa is suitable for parents who:

Are already in Australia and aged 67 or older.
Meet the balance of family test.
Are not in a rush for permanent residency and are comfortable remaining on a bridging visa for a long period.

Important Notes

This visa can only be applied for within Australia.
You cannot apply if your current visa has an 8503 condition.
Bridging visa holders can remain in Australia lawfully while their 804 visa is being processed.

Need Help Applying?

Parent visas can be complex and time-consuming. If you need guidance on whether the 804 visa is suitable for your circumstances or wish to explore alternative pathways, contact our experienced migration professionals for tailored advice and support.

What type of visa are you looking for?

We are a team of immigration specialists guiding individuals, families and corporates who aspire to migrate to Australia. Our migration consultancy has a successful track record in visa approval, with a fair fee structure.

Employer Sponsored Visa

Australian employers can sponsor skilled workers, whether already in Australia on a visa or applying from overseas, to meet skill shortage positions in their business.

Skilled Worker Visa

Skilled workers with qualifications and experience in demand can apply for visas to live and work in Australia permanently.

Partner Visa

Partner visas allows an Australian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their spouse, de facto partner or fiancé to be with them in Australia.

Student or Graduate Visa

International students can study in Australia and apply for post-study temporary work visas.

Subclass 186 Frequently Asked Questions

I want to apply for permanent residence based on Employer Nominated Sponsorship, Subclass 186 –what are the overall pathways?

There are two application pathways for this category:

Pathway One – 186 Temporary Residence Transition:

Once 482 visa holders have been employed for two years out of the last 3 years on a 482 visa, which could have been with the same employer/sponsor or a combination of previous sponsor and current sponsor, they can apply for 186 Temporary Residence Transition. They must be sponsored on a 482 visa by their current employer who will nominate them in their Employer Nominated Sponsorship application, subclass 186 application.

The visa holder can hold any occupation, both from the previous Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) and the current Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) so long as they hold a 482 visa.

The application must be lodged before turning 45 years old, unless they meet specified exemptions. One of these is that their salary (net of superannuation) has met the high-income threshold in two of the last three years as applicable in the year they hold that visa. The current high-income threshold for 2024 is set at $175,000.

Pathway Two – Direct Entry:

The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL). The 186-visa applicant must complete a Skills Assessment from the assessing authority of that occupation and demonstrate that they have had at least three years of post-qualification work experience in that occupation. Applicants need to be under 45 years old at the time of application. There are no exemptions for age under 186 Direct Entry.

What about the Employers?

In both Pathway One and Two, the employer has to present a range of documents to meet the requirements of the nomination. These include financial documents, position description, employment contract, organization chart, a statement about why the position is genuine, evidence that the salary is market related etc.

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