Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) | Wintr Consulting

Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

Sponsoring your aged parent to live in Australia while waiting for a permanent outcome.

The Aged Parent visa provides for older parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia while the visa processes. If granted, it is a permanent residence visa; however, it is important to note the Aged Parent visa has one of the longest processing times of any Australian visa category.

Important Processing Information

At current, the processing time sits at 33 years. All parent visas are subject to strict capping and queueing. Each program year, the Department of Home Affairs grants a limited number of visas and once the yearly cap is reached, no further visas are approved. Applications are assessed in lodgement date order.

Stay Lawfully

Parents must be in Australia when applying. A Bridging Visa A is granted, allowing them to remain lawfully.

Travel Flexibility

Parents are able to travel upon obtaining a Bridging Visa B; there are no limitations on how many times they wish to travel.

Lower Cost

This visa is far less costly compared to Contributory Parent visas and may be an option if immediate PR is not the priority.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Aged Parent subclass 804 visa, you must:

Be in Australia when applying.
Be old enough to meet the age pension requirement in Australia.
Be the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia.
Satisfy the balance of family test (at least half of your children live in Australia, or more children live in Australia than in any other country).
Meet health and character requirements.

Towards the end of processing time, applicants are required to provide Assurance of Support (AoS).

Case Study: Avoiding Multiple Tourist Visas

Scenario: Your mother is 73 and has been visiting on Tourist visas, but you want more stability. She is healthy and has access to healthcare in her home country (Malaysia), so she won't need Australian benefits immediately.

Priority: Being able to remain in Australia with family is a higher priority than obtaining permanent residency quickly.

Outcome: You learn the Aged Parent visa allows her to live in Australia on a permanent basis (via the Bridging Visa) without the hassle of multiple Tourist visas. She can still travel back to Malaysia to visit friends using a Bridging Visa B.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is an ‘eligible New Zealand citizen’?

An eligible New Zealand citizen is a New Zealand citizen considered a protected Special Category visa (SCV) holder under the Social Security Act 1991. You are a protected SCV holder if you:

Were in Australia on 26 February 2001 holding an SCV, or
Spent at least 365 days in Australia between 26 February 1999 and 25 February 2001 and returned after 26 February 2001, or
Have confirmation from Centrelink that you meet the protected SCV criteria under the legislation.

What is the balance of family test?

It measures how many of your children live in Australia compared to overseas. You must have at least half of your children in Australia or more children in Australia than in any other country. All children counted in the test must be Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident of an eligible New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia.

Can I stay in Australia while waiting for my 804 visa?

Yes, applicants are granted a bridging visa to remain lawfully while waiting.

What age must I be to apply?

You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia, which varies depending on your date of birth. Services Australia provides the current pension age.

Can I work or study while holding the Bridging visa A?

Yes. Bridging visa A grants in association with the Aged Parent subclass 804 visa are granted with nil conditions. This is not inclusive of travel facility; a Bridging visa B must be obtained to travel while on a Bridging visa A.

Is there a faster parent visa option?

Yes. Contributory Parent visas (subclass 143 or 864) have shorter processing times than the Aged Parent visa but involve far higher costs.

Can I include family members in my application?

Yes, you can include your partner in the same application.