Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 (Onshore)
Permanent residency for aged parents (67+) already in Australia – low cost with long processing time
Key Benefits
Permanent Residency
Live in Australia indefinitely with full PR rights upon grant
Stay in Australia
Remain lawfully in Australia on Bridging Visa during entire processing period
Medicare Access
Often eligible for Medicare on Bridging Visa, guaranteed upon PR grant
Low Cost
Total fees ~$7,000 vs $50,000+ for contributory parent visas
Family Reunification
Be with your children and grandchildren throughout retirement
Travel Rights
5-year travel facility after grant, apply for BVB during processing
Subclass 804 vs Other Parent Visas
Understanding your onshore parent visa options
| Feature | Subclass 804 (Non-Contributory) |
Subclass 884/864 (Contributory) |
Subclass 870 (Temporary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent (onshore) | Temp→Permanent (onshore) | Temporary only (3-5 years) |
| Age Requirement | 67+ years | 67+ years | No age requirement |
| Processing Time | 20-30+ years | 5-6 years | 6-12 months |
| Total Government Fees | ~$7,000 per parent | ~$53,000 per parent | $5,000-20,000 (depending on period) |
| Stay During Processing | ✅ Yes – Bridging Visa | ✅ Yes – Bridging Visa | N/A (fast processing) |
| Outcome | Permanent residency | Permanent residency | Temporary only (no PR) |
| Can Apply for 870 While Waiting? | ❌ No (makes you ineligible) | ❌ No | N/A |
| Best For | Families prioritizing staying together + low cost | Families prioritizing faster PR | Parents who want temporary stay |
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility requirements for aged parents and sponsors
👴 Aged Parents
- Age 67 or older (pension age)
- Currently in Australia when applying
- In Australia when visa is granted
- Pass Balance of Family Test
- Meet health and character requirements
- No “No Further Stay” condition (or waived)
👨👩👧 Eligible Sponsor
- Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
- Settled in Australia (2+ years)
- Adult child (18 years or older)
- Or child’s spouse/partner can sponsor
- Financial capacity for Assurance of Support
- Good character
📋 Key Requirements
- Balance of Family Test (50%+ children in Australia)
- Assurance of Support bond (~$10,000)
- Health examinations (done at final stage)
- Police clearances
- No outstanding government debts
- Cannot have applied for Subclass 870
Eligibility Checklist
Requirements you must meet
Must be old enough to receive Australian Age Pension
In Australia when applying and when visa is granted (decades later)
At least 50% of children in Australia or more than any other country
Adult child who is citizen/PR settled 2+ years in Australia
Pass medical exams (done at final processing stage)
Police clearances from countries lived 12+ months
Sponsor provides ~$10k bond (refundable after 10 years)
Cannot have applied for/hold Temporary Sponsored Parent visa
Processing Timeline & Queue
Understanding the long wait and staying in Australia throughout
Eligibility Assessment
VisaTasker confirms you’re 67+, pass Balance of Family Test, have eligible sponsor, and current visa allows onshore application.
Document Preparation
Gather identity papers, relationship evidence, sponsor documents, Balance of Family proof. Prepare sponsorship Form 40 and application Form 47PA.
Application Lodgement
Submit paper application to Perth processing centre. Pay first installment (~$5,000 per parent). Application enters parent visa queue with your queue date.
Bridging Visa Granted
Receive Bridging Visa A allowing lawful stay in Australia during entire processing period. Often eligible for Medicare. Apply for BVB if travel needed.
Queue Period (20-30+ years)
Application remains in queue due to annual program caps. You live in Australia on Bridging Visa with family. VisaTasker provides ongoing support throughout.
Final Processing Begins
When your queue position reaches front, Department requests health examinations, updated police checks, and Assurance of Support from sponsor.
Assurance of Support
Sponsor lodges AoS with Centrelink including ~$10,000 bond (refundable after 10 years). VisaTasker guides sponsor through entire process.
Second Installment & Grant
Pay second installment (~$2,065 per parent). Permanent Subclass 804 visa granted! You become Australian permanent resident with full rights.
Why Choose VisaTasker?
Long-term partnership through decades of processing
MARA Registered
Licensed migration agents following professional standards (MARN 2318017)
Long-Term Support
Ongoing assistance throughout 20-30+ year processing period
Complete Service
From eligibility assessment through to final PR grant
Fixed Fee
$2,500 one-time service fee covering entire journey
Bridging Visa Expertise
Guidance on BVA/BVB management and Medicare access
Family-Focused
Compassionate service for family reunification
Investment Required
Affordable parent visa option for permanent residency
Government Fees (Non-Contributory)
Total per parent (two installments)
- First installment: ~$5,000 at lodgement
- Second installment: ~$2,065 before grant
- AoS bond: ~$10,000 (refundable after 10 years)
- Medical exams: ~$400-600
- Police certificates: varies by country
- Much lower than contributory (~$53,000)
Our Professional Service
Fixed one-time fee for entire journey
- Comprehensive eligibility assessment
- Balance of Family Test verification
- Complete application preparation
- Paper lodgement to Perth
- Bridging Visa guidance (BVA/BVB)
- Ongoing support for 20-30+ years
- Final stage AoS coordination
- Support until permanent residency
Total investment: ~$9,500 + refundable AoS bond. Stay in Australia with family throughout the entire processing period on Bridging Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does Subclass 804 take 20-30+ years?
The Subclass 804 is a non-contributory parent visa subject to strict annual program caps. The Australian government allocates a limited number of parent visa places each year (currently around 1,000-1,500 for all non-contributory parent visas), while demand is extremely high.
2. Can I work while waiting on the Bridging Visa?
It depends on your original visa conditions. If you arrived on a tourist visa (which typically has “no work” condition), your Bridging Visa A will usually carry the same restriction – meaning no work rights initially.
However:
- You can apply for work rights on your Bridging Visa if you face financial hardship
- Some applicants arrive on visas that allow work, so their BVA has work rights
- Work rights on BVA can make you eligible for Medicare
VisaTasker will assess your situation and advise on obtaining work rights if needed.
3. Can I access Medicare while waiting?
Often yes! Many Subclass 804 applicants can access Medicare while on their Bridging Visa through several pathways:
- If your Bridging Visa has work rights, you’re eligible for Medicare
- If you’re from a country with Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia (e.g., UK, Ireland, Italy, Finland, etc.)
- Some states allow Medicare enrollment for bridging visa holders in certain circumstances
4. What if I need to travel overseas during the wait?
Your Bridging Visa A does NOT allow travel outside Australia. If you leave on BVA, your visa application is withdrawn.
Solution: Bridging Visa B (BVB)
- Apply for BVB before each planned overseas trip
- BVB allows temporary departure and return
- Must return before BVB expiry date
- Resume on BVA after return to Australia
VisaTasker assists with all BVB applications to ensure safe travel during the long processing period.
5. Why not apply for Subclass 870 Temporary Sponsored Parent visa while waiting?
Critical Rule: Applying for or holding a Subclass 870 visa makes you permanently ineligible for Subclass 804.
The 870 is a temporary visa (3-5 years at a time, up to 10 years total) but provides NO pathway to permanent residency. If you apply for 870:
- Your 804 application becomes invalid
- You lose your queue position
- You can never reapply for 804
- You’re locked into temporary status only
6. What is the Assurance of Support and when is it needed?
The Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial bond guaranteeing that the parent won’t need government welfare support.
Key Details:
- Bond amount: ~$10,000 for main applicant, ~$4,000 for partner
- Held by government for 10 years, then refunded
- Lodged by sponsor with Services Australia (Centrelink)
- Sponsor must meet income requirements
- Not needed at application: Only required at final processing stage (20-30 years later)
7. What updates do I need to provide during the long wait?
During the 20-30 year processing period, you must keep the Department informed of:
- Change of address or contact details
- New passport details when renewed
- Change in sponsor circumstances (e.g., sponsor’s change of address)
- Any change in your family composition
You do NOT need to provide regular updates on your health or police checks – these will be requested at final processing stage.
Reunite Your Family in Australia
The Subclass 804 Aged Parent visa allows your parents to stay in Australia permanently at an affordable cost. While the wait is long, they remain with you throughout on a Bridging Visa. Let VisaTasker guide you through this multi-decade journey with expert support every step of the way.
Book Your Consultation📋 Free Document Checklist
Get the complete list of documents you need for your application — updated for 2026.
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Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.