Contact us
Aged Parent Visa (804)
Looking for trusted immigration agents in Brisbane? Australian Visa Advice offers expert support and tailored visa solutions to help you achieve your migration goals.
Trusted VisaExperts
PersonalSupport
Focused onYour Goals
Confidential & Professional
What is the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)?
The Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804) allows older parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia. To be eligible, the applicant must be in Australia at the time of application and meet the age requirement for the Australian Age Pension.
While the visa provides a pathway to permanent residency, it currently has a very long processing queue — often up to 30 years. Despite the wait, it allows applicants to remain in Australia on a bridging visa while they wait for a decision, offering a potential long-term solution for families wishing to stay together.
Who Can Apply for the Aged Parent Visa?
To be eligible for the Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804), applicants must:
- Be onshore in Australia when they apply and when a decision is made
- Be the parent of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be of an age that qualifies for the Australian Age Pension
- Pass the Balance of Family Test (have at least half of their children living permanently in Australia or more children in Australia than in any other country)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Have an eligible sponsor who agrees to support them financially and socially
Benefits of the Aged Parent Visa
Despite long processing times, this visa offers several advantages:
- Provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia
- Allows applicants to remain in Australia on a bridging visa while waiting for the visa outcome
- Enables access to Medicare after permanent residency is granted
- Keeps families together long-term for older parents wanting to stay near their children
- Option to apply for citizenship in the future (once eligible)
Document Checklist for the Aged Parent Visa Application
While requirements may vary, applicants typically need to provide:
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Evidence of parent-child relationship (birth certificate, family documents)
- Proof of the sponsor’s permanent residency or citizenship
- Documentation showing they meet the Age Pension age requirement
- Evidence to meet the Balance of Family Test
- Police clearance and medical examination reports
- Sponsorship documents from the child (including Form 40)
How the Aged Parent Visa Works
- Apply Onshore – You must be in Australia at the time of lodging your application and when the decision is made.
- Bridging Visa Granted – While your application is being processed, you will likely be granted a bridging visa, allowing you to stay lawfully in Australia.
- Long Processing Period – The current wait time for this visa can be up to 30 years, due to annual visa caps.
- Permanent Residency Granted – Once approved, you will gain permanent residency with access to Medicare and other benefits.
At Australian Visa Advice, we help families make informed choices about parent migration options. Our team will guide you through the eligibility checks, documentation, and long-term planning involved in applying for this visa.
Aged Parent Visa FAQs
Current processing times can be up to 30 years due to limited places allocated by the government each year.
While on a bridging visa, you may have work rights, and once your permanent visa is granted, you’ll have access to Medicare.
To pass, at least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, or more children must reside in Australia than in any other country.
Yes. The Aged Parent Visa must be lodged from within Australia, and you must remain in the country when a decision is made.
Yes. The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) offers faster processing, but it involves higher application costs.
