Aged Parent Visa 804: Stay in Australia Permanently With Your Family
You’re already here. You’ve been visiting your children, spending time with grandchildren, watching their lives unfold. Now you want to stay—not as a visitor, but as family.
The subclass 804 is your pathway to permanent residency without leaving Australia.
Key Facts
Visa Type
Permanent Residency
Who Can Apply
Aged parents meeting Age Pension age (currently 67 years old)
Application Location
Must be In Australia when applying and when granted
Work and Study
Permits work & study in Australia without restrictions.
Understanding the Aged Parent Visa 804
The 804 visa Australia exists for one specific situation: you’re in Australia, you’re of pension age, and you want to live here permanently with your children.
This is an onshore visa. Unlike the Parent Visa (subclass 103) where applicants wait overseas, the aged parent visa lets you remain in Australia on a bridging visa while your application sits in the queue.
That queue is long. We need to be direct about this: 804 visa processing time stretches beyond 30 years. The Australian Government caps parent visa places annually, and demand dramatically exceeds supply.
Is Visa 804 Permanent Residency?
Yes. When granted, the aged parent visa 804 gives you the right to live in Australia for the rest of your life.
Your permanent residency begins the day the Department grants your visa. From that moment:
- Australia becomes your permanent home
- You can work without restrictions
- Medicare covers your healthcare
- You can sponsor other family members
- Citizenship becomes possible after meeting residency requirements
The visa includes a 5-year travel facility. You can leave and return freely during this period. After 5 years, you’ll need a Resident Return Visa to travel, or you can become an Australian citizen and never need a visa again.
What Are the Benefits of Aged Parent Visa 804?
Permanent residency changes everything. You stop being a visitor in your children’s lives and become part of their everyday world.
Live Without Limits
No more counting days on tourist visas. No more mandatory departures. Australia becomes home.
Work If You Choose
Full work rights with the same protections as any Australian employee. Whether you want employment or simply the option, it's yours.
Healthcare Access
Enrol in Medicare. Access Australia's public health system. Stop paying for expensive visitor health insurance.
Bring Family Together
As a permanent resident, you may sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia.
Learn English
Free classes through the Adult Migrant English Program help you connect with your new community.
Path to Citizenship
After meeting residency requirements, you can become an Australian citizen—with voting rights and an Australian passport.
Who is Eligible for 804 Visa?
The subclass 804 has specific requirements. Not everyone qualifies.
This visa is exclusively for parents old enough to receive the Australian age pension. The current qualifying age is 67 for most people, but check Services Australia for your specific situation.
If you're younger, the standard Parent Visa (subclass 103) may be appropriate—but you'd need to be outside Australia to apply.
Your sponsor must be your child (biological, adopted, or step-child) who is:
- An Australian citizen, or
- An Australian permanent resident, or
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
They must be settled in Australia—actually living here, not just holding citizenship while residing overseas.
If your eligible child is under 18, an adult relative or community organisation can sponsor you instead. The Department must approve any sponsorship.
This requirement trips up many applicants. You must prove that:
- At least half your children live permanently in Australia, OR
- More of your children live in Australia than in any other single country
Critical: This test counts ALL your children worldwide. If you have four children and only one lives in Australia, you don't pass. If two of your four children live in Australia and the others live in different countries, you pass.
We help families map out this test properly. It requires evidence for every child—not just those in Australia.
The Australian Government wants confidence that you won't rely on welfare payments. You must be able to obtain an assurance of support—a financial guarantee from your sponsor.
You don't need this when you apply. The Department will request it when your application reaches final assessment, potentially decades from now.
You must meet Australia's health requirements. The Department will tell you when to complete medical examinations—this happens when your application is released from the queue, not at lodgement.
Character requirements apply too. Police certificates will be requested at the appropriate time.
If you hold or have applied for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), you cannot apply for the aged parent visa. These pathways are mutually exclusive.
Previous visa cancellations or application refusals can affect eligibility. The Department considers your entire immigration history. If you have complications, seek advice before applying.
Applicants 18 and older must read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement, confirming respect for Australian laws and way of life.
Your Success Depends on Your Points Score!
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Before You Begin
This is non-negotiable. You must be physically in Australia (not in immigration clearance at an airport) when you lodge your application. Family members applying with you must also be in Australia.
Check your existing visa status. Know when it expires. Understand that applying for the 804 visa Australia will likely grant you a bridging visa—but only if you apply while your current visa is valid.
Confirm you meet the age requirement before investing time in documentation.
Immigration assistance can only come from registered migration agents (MARA), legal practitioners, or exempt persons. Anyone else offering to help with your application is operating illegally.
If you've already applied for a different parent visa without a decision, you must withdraw it when applying for the subclass 804. Use Part B of Form 47PA.
Step 2: Compile Your Evidence
Identity documentation is foundational. Provide:
- Current passport (photo page, personal details, issue and expiry dates)
- National identity card if you have one
- Evidence of any name changes (marriage certificates, divorce decrees, official change of name documents)
Warning: If you cannot prove your identity, the Department will refuse your application. They may also ban you and family members from visa grants for 10 years.
Your child completes Form 40 – Sponsorship for migration to Australia. They must provide evidence of their citizenship or permanent residency and proof of being settled in Australia.
For EVERY child you have—in Australia and elsewhere—provide:
- Birth certificates proving the parent-child relationship
- Evidence of each child's citizenship or permanent residence country
- Death certificates for deceased children
Missing even one child from this documentation can cause problems.
If your spouse or de facto partner applies with you:
- Their identity documents
- Marriage certificate, OR
- Evidence of 12+ months de facto relationship (joint accounts, shared lease, same address documentation)
Children under 18 need identity documents, relationship evidence, and consent from any parent not migrating (Form 1229 or statutory declaration).
Dependent children 18-22 must prove financial dependence. Those over 23 can only be included if disability prevents them earning a living.
Four passport-style photos per person: 45mm x 35mm, less than 6 months old, colour, head and shoulders against a light background.
- Translate everything not in English (NAATI-accredited translators in Australia; overseas translators must include their credentials)
- Certify all copies as true copies
- Send originals only for police certificates
- Keep copies of everything you submit
Four passport-style photos per person: 45mm x 35mm, less than 6 months old, colour, head and shoulders against a light background.
Step 3: Lodge Your Application
There is no online lodgement for this visa. You submit a physical application package.
- Form 47PA – Application for a parent to migrate to Australia
- Form 40 – Sponsorship for migration to Australia (your sponsor completes this)
- Form 47A – For each family member 18+ (migrating or not)
Everything must be in English.
Aged parent visa cost is paid in two parts. The first installment ($4,990) is due with your application. Payment options are listed on the Department website.
Send everything by post or courier to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth (address on forms). Include:
- Completed forms
- All supporting documents (certified copies, not originals—except police certificates)
- Payment evidence
The Department won't process applications with missing forms, insufficient documents, or unpaid fees. They'll notify you and potentially return everything.
Step 4: The Waiting Period
When you apply for the aged parent visa 804 from within Australia, you'll typically receive a Bridging Visa A. If your current visa expires before the Department decides your case, the bridging visa activates automatically.
This keeps you lawful in Australia during the queue—which could be decades.
From April 2025, you can import your paper application into ImmiAccount after receiving your acknowledgement letter. This lets you:
- Upload additional documents
- View Department messages
- Update your contact details
- Check application status
The Department cannot provide processing updates during normal timeframes. Given the 804 visa processing time, this means years of silence. Don't contact them asking for updates—they'll reach out if they need anything.
Monitor queue positions at the Parent visa queue release dates page.
You can leave Australia, but you MUST be here when the decision is made. Inform the Department of travel plans. Ensure you have a valid visa to return.
These happen when your application reaches final assessment—not at lodgement. The Department will contact you with instructions when the time comes.
When your application is finally ready for decision (potentially 30+ years later), the Department invoices the second instalment ($2,355). Non-payment results in refusal.
Throughout the queue period, notify the Department of changes to:
- Contact details (phone, email, address)
- Passport (renewals, new passport)
- Relationship status
- Family composition
- Your decision to withdraw
Step 5: The Decision
You must be in Australia—not in immigration clearance—when the Department makes their decision.
If approved, you receive written confirmation with:
- Visa grant number
- Start date of permanent residency
- Any visa conditions
If refused, you'll be told why and whether review rights exist. Application fees are not refunded on refusal.
Aged Parent Visa Cost
Visa fees and processing times are based on official Department of Home Affairs data, accurate as of January 2025. Fees are subject to change annually.
Subclass 189 Visa Fees
Total visa charge = $7,345
Additional expenses may apply in this requirement
The two-instalment structure means you pay most costs upfront, but the second payment isn’t due until final assessment—potentially decades away.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa?
Over 30 years.
The Department processes applications in queue order. They conduct an initial eligibility check, then your application waits until places become available. When released from the queue, final assessment occurs.
Factors that extend processing:
- Incomplete applications
- Missing documents
- Information that’s difficult to verify
- Requests for additional evidence
This isn’t a timeline anyone wants to hear. But understanding reality helps you plan properly—including whether alternative visas might better suit your circumstances.
Alternative Pathways to Consider
Visa | Type | Processing | Cost (approx) | Trade-off |
Subclass 864 | Permanent | Faster | $47,955 | Higher cost, shorter wait |
Subclass 884 → 864 | Temporary then Permanent | Faster | Higher total, spread over time | Two-step process |
Subclass 870 | Temporary (3-5 years) | Months | $5,090–$10,180 | No PR pathway, but immediate |
Switching Strategy:
You can withdraw your subclass 804 application and apply for a contributory visa (864) instead. The Department considers your original lodgement date—you don’t lose queue position.
If cost is manageable, faster processing through contributory visas means seeing your permanent residency in your lifetime rather than leaving it uncertain.
Subclass 804 vs Subclass 103
Both are non contributory parent visas with similar costs and processing times. The fundamental difference is location:
Factor | 804 | 103 |
Where you apply | In Australia | Outside Australia |
Where you wait | In Australia (bridging visa) | Outside Australia |
Decision location | Must be in Australia | Must be outside Australia |
Age requirement | Pension age | None |
If you’re already in Australia and meet the age requirement, the 804 visa Australia lets you stay while waiting. If you’re overseas or not yet pension age, subclass 103 is the relevant pathway.
🎯 99% Success Rate
Our clients get their 190 visas approved
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
🛡️ MARA Protection
Fully licensed MARA agents
Why Clients Choose The Migration
Parent visas are deeply personal. This is about your family, your children, your grandchildren, your future. These are not just documents to us—we understand what is at stake.
We have helped parents navigate straightforward applications and complex situations. Parents with health concerns. Families with children in multiple countries. Cases where circumstances changed during the long wait. Applications requiring assurance of support planning.
Eligibility Review
We confirm you meet all requirements before you invest time and money gathering documents
Application Lodgement
e submit your application to the Parent Visa Centre with complete documentation
Your Questions Answered
How long can I stay with an 804 visa?
Forever. The aged parent visa 804 is permanent. There’s no expiry on your right to live in Australia. The 5-year travel facility allows unlimited departures and returns during that period; after that, you need a Resident Return Visa or citizenship to travel.
Can I work while my 804 application is in the queue?
This depends on your bridging visa conditions. Check VEVO to see your specific work entitlements while waiting.
What if I can't meet the balance of family test?
You generally cannot apply for the subclass 804 without meeting this test. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) doesn’t require it—but offers only temporary stay without a permanent residency pathway.
My health isn't perfect. Does that disqualify me?
Not necessarily. Health assessments happen at final assessment, not application. Conditions that develop during the queue are assessed then, and waivers exist for some situations. We can advise on specific health concerns.
What happens if my sponsor can no longer support me?
Notify the Department. You may need a new sponsor. If sponsorship fails entirely, the application could be refused. Planning for long-term sponsorship stability matters.
Can I switch to a faster visa later?
Yes. You can withdraw your 804 application and apply for subclass 864 (contributory) without losing your queue position. The Department uses your original lodgement date.
What if I pass away before the visa is granted?
The application cannot continue. Family members included in the application may have separate options. This is a difficult reality of the 30+ year queue.
What Does Sponsoring Actually Mean?
When you sponsor your parent for the aged parent visa 804, you’re not just filling out a form. You’re making a legal commitment to the Australian Government.
You are promising that your parent won’t become dependent on government welfare. You are agreeing to personally ensure they have somewhere to live, financial support, and help settling into Australian life—for a minimum of two years after their visa is granted.
The Government doesn’t take this lightly. Neither should you.
Your sponsorship covers:
- Your parent (the main applicant)
- Any family members who apply with them (your other parent, dependent siblings)
You can sponsor multiple parents. If both your mother and father are applying, you can sponsor both. Each lodges their own application, but you’re the common link.
Are You Eligible to Sponsor?
Before your parent can apply for the 804 visa Australia, you need to qualify as their sponsor.
You (or your cohabiting spouse/de facto partner) must be:
- An Australian citizen, OR
- An Australian permanent resident, OR
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
Holding a temporary visa? You cannot sponsor. Your own permanent status must be secured first.
This is more than paperwork. Being "settled" means you're actually living in Australia—working, paying bills, building a life here. If you hold citizenship but live overseas, you don't meet this requirement.
The Department wants evidence you're genuinely established here, not just legally entitled to be.
You must be 18 years or older.
You must agree—in writing, on Form 40—to provide:
- Accommodation
- Financial assistance
- General support
This commitment covers your parent and anyone who applies with them, for their first two years in Australia after the visa is granted.
Alternative Sponsorship Arrangements
Not every family situation is straightforward.
If your parent's qualifying child (the one who makes them eligible under the balance of family test) is under 18, that child cannot be the sponsor. Instead, an adult can sponsor on the child's behalf.
That adult must be:
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Settled in Australia
- 18 years or older
- Related to the child as their spouse, relative, guardian, or a relative/guardian of the child's spouse
In some cases, a community organisation can sponsor an applicant. This requires:
- A genuine relationship between the organisation and the applicant's child
- A senior representative agreeing to sponsor
- The organisation being lawfully established in Australia
- At least one year of active operation in Australia
- Demonstrated ability to meet financial commitments
This pathway is uncommon but exists for specific circumstances.
Your Financial Obligations
There's no fee to submit Form 40. Sponsoring itself costs nothing.
But sponsorship carries significant financial responsibility. You're agreeing to support your parent—and anyone who comes with them—for two years. That means:
Accommodation: Whether they live with you or you help them secure housing, ensuring they have somewhere to live is your responsibility.
Financial Assistance: If they can't cover their own expenses, you cover them. Groceries, utilities, medical costs not covered by Medicare, transport—whatever they need.
General Support: Helping them navigate Australian systems. Banking. Centrelink registration (even if they're not eligible for payments). Finding a doctor. Understanding how things work here.
Beyond your two-year sponsorship commitment, you may be asked to provide an assurance of support.
This is a separate, formal guarantee lodged with Services Australia (Centrelink). It's a legal commitment to repay the Australian Government if your parent claims certain welfare payments.
The assurance of support involves:
- An income test to prove you can meet the commitment
- A bond (refundable if no welfare claims are made)
- A commitment period (typically 10 years)
Critical distinction: Sponsorship obligations and assurance of support are separate. Even if you're released from sponsorship, you remain bound by any assurance of support you've provided.
The Department will notify your parent when an assurance of support is required—this happens at final assessment, not at application.
Your Success Depends on Your Points Score!
How to Sponsor: Step by Steps
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Before gathering documents, verify:
- You meet sponsor requirements (citizenship/PR, settled, 18+)
- Your parent meets applicant requirements (pension age, balance of family test, in Australia)
If either side doesn’t qualify, the application fails. Get clarity before investing time.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
You need to prove two things: your status and your relationship.
Documents showing your citizenship or permanent residency:
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Australian passport
- Valid visa grant notice (for eligible New Zealand citizens)
Documents showing you're settled in Australia:
- Utility bills in your name at an Australian address
- Lease agreement or mortgage documents
- Employment letter from an Australian employer
- Bank statements showing Australian transactions
- Tax returns lodged with the ATO
Evidence that you're related to your parent:
- Your birth certificate (showing your parent's name)
- Adoption certificates if applicable
- Marriage certificates if name changes are involved
- Death certificates if needed to establish family connections
- Official family status certificates or family books
Additional requirements:
- Certificate of registration
- Board/committee authorisation for the representative
- Evidence of financial capacity
- Proof of one year's active operation
- Documentation of relationship with the applicant's child
Documents not in English must be translated:
- Australian translators: must be NAATI accredited
- Overseas translators: must include their full name, address, phone number, and qualifications on each translation
Step 3: Complete Form 40
Form 40 – Sponsorship for migration to Australia is your formal sponsorship application.
Complete it accurately. By signing, you’re legally committing to support your parent for two years. This isn’t symbolic—the Government can hold you to it.
You don’t lodge Form 40 separately. Give your completed form and all supporting documents to your parent. They include your sponsorship package in their visa application and submit everything together to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth.
Step 4: After Lodgement
The Department notifies your parent when they receive the application. You won't receive separate confirmation.
The 804 visa processing time stretches beyond 30 years. During this time, you won't receive updates unless the Department needs something specific.
Don't contact them asking for status updates within normal processing times. They'll reach out if there's an issue.
You must notify the Department if:
- You can no longer meet your sponsorship obligations
- Your contact details change
- Your citizenship or residency status changes
- Any information from the original application is no longer accurate
Changes can affect the application. If you're worried about your ability to meet commitments decades from now, discuss contingency planning with us.
Step 5: Visa Decision
Your parent receives written notification with their visa details. Your sponsorship obligations begin when they're granted the visa (they're already in Australia, so there's no "arrival" trigger like offshore visas).
From that date, your two-year support commitment is active.
Your parent is advised why and whether review rights exist. Your sponsorship ends with the refusal—you have no ongoing obligations.
Application fees paid by your parent are not refunded on refusal.
🎯 99% Success Rate
Our clients get their 190 visas approved
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
🛡️ MARA Protection
Fully licensed MARA agents
Withdrawing Sponsorship
Life changes. Circumstances you couldn’t predict may make sponsorship impossible.
Before Visa Grant
You can withdraw sponsorship any time before the Department decides the application. Submit your withdrawal in writing to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth. Include: Your full name Date of birth File reference number or Client ID
How Long Do Your Obligations Last?
Sponsorship: 2 Years
Your commitment to provide accommodation, financial support, and assistance lasts two years from visa grant.
After two years, these formal obligations end. Your parent is a permanent resident who can support themselves, work, and access services independently.
Assurance of Support: Up to 10 Years
If you provide an assurance of support, that commitment typically continues for 10 years. During this period, if your parent claims certain welfare payments, Services Australia may recover those costs from you (or your bond).
FAQs for Sponsors
Does it cost anything to sponsor my parent?
No application fee. But you commit to financially supporting your parent for two years, and may need to provide an assurance of support bond. The real cost is the obligation, not a government fee.
Can I sponsor both my parents?
Yes. You can sponsor more than one parent for the subclass 804. Each parent lodges their own application with your sponsorship attached.
What does "settled in Australia" actually mean?
Living here genuinely—not just holding citizenship while residing overseas. The Department wants evidence: utility bills, employment, lease agreements, bank accounts. You need to demonstrate Australia is your actual home.
What if I can't afford to support my parent for two years?
Don’t sponsor until you can. This is a legal commitment. If you fail to meet it, your parent’s visa could be cancelled. If your financial situation is uncertain, we can discuss timing or alternative pathways.
What's the difference between sponsorship and assurance of support?
Sponsorship: Your promise to provide accommodation, financial help, and support for two years. Between you and the Department.
Assurance of support: A legal guarantee to repay welfare payments, lodged with Services Australia, typically lasting 10 years with a bond requirement. Not everyone needs to provide this—the Department requests it when needed.
Can my spouse help with sponsorship?
Yes. The eligibility requirements can be met by you OR your cohabiting spouse/de facto partner. If your partner is the citizen/PR and you’re not, they can be the qualifying sponsor while you both share the practical support obligations.
What happens if I move overseas after sponsoring?
Your obligations continue regardless of where you live. If you can no longer meet them, notify the Department. Moving overseas doesn’t release you from commitments—and could affect your parent’s visa if support becomes impossible.
Can I withdraw if my circumstances change?
Before visa grant: yes, but your parent’s application may be refused.
After visa grant: no. You’re locked into your obligations, and attempting to exit may result in visa cancellation for your parent.
What if my parent needs Centrelink?
If you provided an assurance of support, you may need to repay any welfare payments made during the assurance period. This is why the bond exists—it’s security against claims.
What if my parent's application is refused?
Your sponsorship ends. You have no ongoing obligations. Work with your parents to understand refusal reasons and explore review options or alternative visa pathways.
Take the First Step
The aged parent visa 804 queue moves slowly—but it moves. Every day you wait to apply is a day further back in line.
We won’t promise fast outcomes. We won’t guarantee approval. What we will do is ensure your application is complete, accurate, and positioned for success when it finally reaches a decision.
Your children built their lives here. Now let’s build yours.