Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804)

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Australia Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The qualifying family relationship is that of an aged parent: the applicant must have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, must be old enough to receive the Australian age pension, and must not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.

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Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

Sponsorship normally comes from the applicant's eligible child, who must be a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen; if that child is under 18, an eligible relative or a community organisation can act as sponsor instead. The Department must approve the sponsorship before the visa can be granted.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
You must have an eligible sponsor.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
Usually, an eligible child will sponsor you. If your child is under 18, an eligible relative or community organisation can sponsor you.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
We must approve the sponsorship.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Proof of the parent-child relationship is anchored in the balance of family test: the applicant meets it if at least half of their children and step-children are eligible children (settled Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens), or if more of their eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Meet the balance of family test
You must meet the balance of family test.
Eligibility tab — Meet the balance of family test
at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
Eligibility tab — Meet the balance of family test
there are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

Unless applying under the Retirement visa pathway as a retiree, the applicant must be able to obtain an Assurance of Support guaranteeing they will not need Australian government financial assistance after arrival; this can be provided by an individual, several people, or an organisation, and need not be the sponsor or a family member. The applicant and accompanying family members must meet the health and character requirements, and any debt owed to the Australian Government must be repaid or subject to an approved arrangement.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Have Assurance of Support
You must be able to obtain an Assurance of Support, unless you apply for the visa as a retiree under the Retirement visa pathway.
Eligibility tab — Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
Eligibility tab — Meet the character requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you, must meet our character requirement.
Eligibility tab — Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, the debt must be paid back, or there must be an approved arrangement to pay it back.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

This is a permanent visa: once granted, the applicant can stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor their own family members, travel to and from Australia for 5 years, attend free English classes under the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible. There is no temporary-to-permanent progression built into this pathway. The visa cost is from AUD8,665 over 2 instalments for a single applicant (concessions apply in limited circumstances).

See recorded sources

Overview tab — With this visa you can
stay in Australia indefinitely
Overview tab — With this visa you can
if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
Overview tab — Cost
From AUD8,665 over 2 instalments for a single applicant. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.

Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804)

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.