For many British families, the hardest part of migrating to Australia is leaving parents behind. Aged parent visas offer a way for older parents to join their children permanently. They are also among the most expensive and slowest visas in the Australian system. Knowing how to apply for an aged parent visa in Australia, and which option suits your family, can save years of waiting and thousands of dollars.
This guide explains the three onshore aged parent visas, who is eligible, how the balance of family test works, what the 2026 fees and queues look like and how to apply step by step. For an overview of every parent pathway, including offshore options, see our permanent parent visa Australia page.
What Is an Aged Parent Visa?
“Aged parent visa” refers to the parent visas lodged by a parent who is in Australia and has reached Australian Age Pension age. There are three:
| Visa | Type | Cost level | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Parent (subclass 804) | Permanent, non-contributory | Lower | Extremely long queue |
| Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) | Permanent, contributory | Very high | Much shorter queue than the 804 |
| Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (subclass 884) | Temporary (two years), then 864 | Very high, paid in stages | Spreads the cost, but costs more overall |
All three must be lodged while the parent is in Australia. Parents who are not yet of pension age, or who want to apply from the UK, use the offshore Parent visa (subclass 103) or the Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173 and 143) instead.
Who Is Eligible for an Aged Parent Visa?
The parent must
- Be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension (currently 67)
- Be in Australia when applying, and generally when the visa is granted
- Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Meet the balance of family test
- Have an eligible sponsor
- Meet health and character requirements
- Not hold a visa with a “No Further Stay” condition, such as condition 8503, unless it has been waived
The sponsor must
The sponsor is usually the parent’s child, or the child’s partner. The sponsor must be 18 or older, an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and “settled”. This generally means they have lived lawfully in Australia for at least two years. Sponsors also agree to support the parent through their first two years in Australia.
The Balance of Family Test Explained
The balance of family test checks that the parent’s strongest family ties are with Australia. A parent meets the test if either:
- At least half of their children live lawfully and permanently in Australia, or
- More of their children live lawfully and permanently in Australia than in any other single country
Stepchildren and adopted children count. Children who are deceased, or whose whereabouts are unknown, may be excluded in some circumstances. For example, a British parent with two children in Australia and one in the UK meets the test. A parent with one child in Australia and two in the UK does not.
Aged Parent Visa Fees in 2026
Parent visas are paid in two instalments: one when you apply, and a second only when the Department is ready to grant the visa. The table shows main applicant charges from 1 July 2026.
| Visa | First instalment | Second instalment | Approximate total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 804 Aged Parent | AUD 6,600 | AUD 2,065 | AUD 8,665 |
| 864 Contributory Aged Parent (direct) | AUD 6,300 | AUD 43,600 | AUD 49,900 |
| 884 Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) | AUD 6,300 | AUD 29,130 | Then a further 864 application |
| 864 after holding an 884 | AUD 555 | AUD 19,420 | Staged route costs more in total |
A partner applying with the parent pays additional charges, including their own second instalment. A couple applying for the 804 pays about AUD 14,030 in government charges in total. Contributory visas also require an Assurance of Support with a bond (see below). Check the Home Affairs pricing tables before lodging, as some figures may have been indexed.
How Long Do Aged Parent Visas Take?
All parent visas are capped and queued, and this is the most important factor in choosing between them. The Parent planning level was cut from 8,500 places in 2025–26 to 7,060 places in 2026–27, and that single allocation covers every parent visa subclass.
| Visa | Queue released up to (as at 31 August 2026) | Estimate for new applications |
|---|---|---|
| 864 and 884 Contributory Aged Parent | November 2020 | Many years; recent estimates for contributory parent visas range from about 15 to 18 years |
| 804 Aged Parent | October 2014 | Decades; recent estimates range from about 33 to 42 years |
Since 25 July 2026, non-contributory parent visas such as the 804 have also had the lowest processing priority among family visas. For most parents, the 804 is unlikely to be finalised within their lifetime. It is mainly chosen so the parent can stay in Australia on a bridging visa while waiting.
The long waits put real strain on families. Our article on long family separation caused by slow parent visa processing discusses ways to manage it.
Bridging Visas: Staying in Australia While You Wait
One major advantage of the onshore aged parent visas is that a parent who applies while holding a valid substantive visa generally receives a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This lets them stay lawfully in Australia until a decision is made, which may be many years later.
- To travel overseas while waiting, the parent needs a Bridging Visa B before leaving. Leaving on a BVA without one generally ends the bridging visa.
- For the onshore aged parent visas, the parent must generally be in Australia when the visa is granted, so plan travel carefully around any grant request.
- Bridging visa holders usually have limited or no access to Medicare. Many families arrange private health insurance for the waiting period.
The Assurance of Support
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a legal commitment by an Australian resident, usually the sponsor, to repay certain social security payments the parent receives during the assurance period. For contributory parent visas, the AoS lasts ten years and includes a bond held by the government.
The assurer must meet an income test, and the AoS is lodged with Services Australia when the Department requests it near the end of processing. Check Services Australia for the current bond amounts and AoS requirements for your visa.
Choosing between the 804, 864 and 884? GIEC Global UK can assess your family’s eligibility, the balance of family test and your parents’ current visa conditions before you lodge, so you choose the route that fits your timeline and budget.
How to Apply for an Aged Parent Visa: Step by Step
- Check eligibility. Confirm the parent has reached Age Pension age, meets the balance of family test and has a settled sponsor.
- Bring the parent to Australia on a suitable visa. British parents commonly visit on an eVisitor visa (subclass 651) or a Visitor visa (subclass 600). Check the visa conditions carefully, because a “No Further Stay” condition such as 8503 prevents an onshore application unless it is waived.
- Choose the visa. Decide between the 804 Aged Parent visa, the 864 Contributory Aged Parent visa or the staged 884 temporary visa.
- Prepare documents. Gather passports, birth certificates proving the parent-child relationship, evidence of all children’s residence for the balance of family test and the sponsor’s citizenship or PR evidence.
- Lodge the application online. Apply through ImmiAccount while the parent is in Australia, and pay the first instalment.
- Receive a bridging visa. If eligible, the parent is granted a Bridging Visa A.
- Wait in the queue. The application is assessed and queued. Keep your contact details and circumstances up to date with the Department.
- Complete health checks, police checks and the AoS when requested. These are usually requested near the end of processing.
- Pay the second instalment. The visa is granted after payment.
Practical Points for British Parents
- UK State Pension: The UK State Pension can be paid in Australia, but it is generally frozen at the rate first paid and does not receive annual increases while you live there. Factor this into long-term budgeting.
- Health cover: The UK–Australia Reciprocal Health Care Agreement covers some medically necessary treatment for UK residents visiting Australia. Once a parent is living in Australia on a bridging visa, eligibility may change, so check with Services Australia.
- Police certificates: UK police certificates are issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office.
- Health requirement: Older applicants may face closer health assessment, so disclose medical conditions honestly.
Alternatives If the Wait Is Too Long
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) lets parents stay in Australia for up to three or five years at a time, without the parent visa queue. It does not lead to permanent residence, and the sponsor must first be approved. For many families, it is a practical way to spend extended time together while a permanent application waits in the queue, or as an alternative to one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Arriving on a visa with a “No Further Stay” condition: This blocks an onshore application unless a waiver is granted.
- Miscounting children for the balance of family test: All children count, including stepchildren and adopted children.
- Choosing the 804 without understanding the queue: It is far cheaper, but the wait can run to decades.
- Leaving Australia without a Bridging Visa B: This can end the parent’s bridging visa.
- Underestimating the Assurance of Support: The assurer takes on a real financial obligation.
Final Thoughts
An aged parent visa in Australia can reunite families permanently, but it is a long-term commitment. The 864 offers a realistic path to permanent residence for families who can afford the contribution. The 804 mainly secures a lawful stay on a bridging visa while waiting. Whichever route you choose, check visa conditions before the parent travels and prepare thoroughly before lodging.
If you would like expert help planning your parents’ move to Australia, contact GIEC Global UK for a consultation.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not migration advice. Parent visa fees, queues, planning levels and Assurance of Support requirements change regularly. Always confirm current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs and Services Australia before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the age requirement for an aged parent visa in Australia?
The parent must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension, which is currently 67, to apply for the 804, 864 or 884 aged parent visas.
Can my parent apply for an aged parent visa from the UK?
No. The 804, 864 and 884 aged parent visas must be lodged while the parent is in Australia. Parents applying from the UK use the Parent visa (subclass 103) or Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173 and 143).
What is the balance of family test?
A parent meets the test if at least half of their children live lawfully and permanently in Australia, or if more of their children live in Australia than in any other single country.
How much does an aged parent visa cost in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the 804 costs about AUD 8,665 for a single applicant over two instalments, while the direct 864 costs about AUD 49,900, including a second instalment of AUD 43,600.
How long does the 804 Aged Parent visa take?
The 804 is extremely slow. As at 31 August 2026, applications queued up to October 2014 had been released, and recent estimates for new applications run to several decades.
How long does the 864 Contributory Aged Parent visa take?
As at 31 August 2026, 864 and 884 applications queued up to November 2020 had been released. Recent estimates for new contributory parent applications range from about 15 to 18 years.
Can my parent stay in Australia while the aged parent visa is processed?
Generally yes. A parent who applies while holding a valid substantive visa is usually granted a Bridging Visa A, which allows them to remain in Australia while the application is processed.
Can my parent apply if their visitor visa has a No Further Stay condition?
Not unless the condition is waived. A No Further Stay condition such as 8503 prevents most onshore visa applications, so check visitor visa conditions before your parent travels.
What is the difference between the 864 and 884 visas?
The 864 is a permanent visa. The 884 is a two-year temporary visa that spreads the cost, after which the parent applies for the 864. The staged route costs more overall.
Is an Assurance of Support required for aged parent visas?
Yes. An Assurance of Support is required, and for contributory parent visas it lasts ten years and includes a bond. The assurer must meet an income test.
What are the alternatives to an aged parent visa?
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) allows parents to stay in Australia for up to three or five years at a time without joining the parent visa queue, although it does not lead to permanent residence.
