Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa Subclass 884
Live in Australia for 2 years with your children – onshore pathway to permanent residency for aged parents
Key Benefits
2-Year Stay
Live in Australia for up to 2 years with your children and grandchildren
Stay in Australia
Remain in Australia on Bridging Visa during entire processing period
Full Work Rights
Work and study freely in Australia during your 2-year stay
Medicare Access
Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system immediately
Multiple Entry
Travel to and from Australia freely during 2-year validity
Path to PR
Direct pathway to permanent Subclass 864 visa
Who Can Apply?
Requirements for aged parents and sponsors
👴 Aged Parents
- Age 67 or older (Australian Age 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)
- 18 years or older
- Your adult child (or their spouse)
- Financial capacity for Assurance of Support
- Good character (police checks required)
💰 Financial Requirements
- Assurance of Support bond required
- $10,000 per parent (refundable after 10 years)
- $4,000 for additional parent
- Sponsor must meet income requirements
- Split payment structure (884 then 864)
- No outstanding debts to government
Eligibility Requirements
Key criteria you must meet
At least 67 years old (Australian Age Pension age)
In Australia when applying and when visa is granted
At least half your children in Australia, or more than any other country
Australian citizen, PR, or NZ citizen child settled 2+ years
Pass medical examinations at approved clinic
Police clearances from countries lived 12+ months
Sponsor provides $10k bond and financial guarantee
No unpaid debts to Australian government
Subclass 884 vs Subclass 864
Understanding temporary vs permanent contributory aged parent visas
| Feature | Subclass 884 (Temporary) | Subclass 864 (Permanent) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Temporary (2 years) | Permanent (indefinite) |
| Application Location | Onshore (in Australia) | Onshore (in Australia) |
| Age Requirement | 67+ years (pension age) | 67+ years (pension age) |
| Purpose | Bridge to permanency with split payments | Direct permanent residency |
| First Installment | ~$5,040 at lodgement | Lower amount at lodgement |
| Second Installment | ~$29,130 at grant | ~$43,600 at grant |
| Total Cost (2 stages) | 884: ~$34,170 + 864: ~$19,420 | Single application ~$43,600+ |
| Can Extend/Renew? | No – must apply for 864 | Permanent – no expiry |
| Social Benefits | No (most welfare not available) | Yes (after waiting periods) |
| Best For | Parents in Australia wanting split costs | Parents ready for direct permanent move |
Assurance of Support (AoS)
Understanding the financial bond requirement
💰 What is AoS?
- Legal financial commitment by sponsor
- Guarantees to repay welfare benefits claimed
- Ensures parents won’t burden welfare system
- Required before visa can be granted
- Lodged with Services Australia (Centrelink)
💵 Bond Amounts
- Main applicant: AUD $10,000
- Additional parent: AUD $4,000
- Couple: AUD $14,000 total
- Refundable after 10 years
- Full refund if no welfare claimed
📋 Who Can Be Assurer?
- Your child sponsor (most common)
- Another Australian citizen or PR
- Up to 3 joint assuers possible
- Must meet income requirements
- Show financial capacity to Centrelink
⏰ AoS Timeline
- NOT required at application lodgement
- Requested before visa grant (years later)
- Lodged with Services Australia
- Bond held for 10 years from visa grant
- Continues for 864 permanent visa stage
Application Process
Step-by-step journey from application to permanent residency
Eligibility Assessment
Confirm you’re 67+, in Australia, meet Balance of Family Test, have eligible sponsor. Check current visa allows onshore application. VisaTasker provides comprehensive assessment.
Document Preparation
Gather identity papers, age proof, relationship evidence, sponsor’s documents, Balance of Family proof. Prepare for health checks and police clearances.
Application Lodgement
Submit paper application (Form 47PA) to Perth processing centre. Pay first installment (~$5,040 per parent). Application enters queue for processing.
Bridging Visa Issued
Receive Bridging Visa A allowing you to remain in Australia lawfully during processing. Work rights included. Apply for Bridging Visa B if travel needed.
Processing Period
Application in queue (typically 5-6 years). Complete health examinations and provide police clearances when requested. VisaTasker monitors progress and responds to Department requests.
Assurance of Support
Department requests AoS near decision time. Sponsor lodges AoS with Services Australia including $10k bond. VisaTasker coordinates entire AoS process.
Second Installment & Grant
Pay second installment (~$29,130 per parent). Subclass 884 visa granted! Stay in Australia for 2 years with full work rights and Medicare.
Transition to Permanent (864)
Apply for Subclass 864 before 884 expires (typically 1-1.5 years in). Pay remaining fees (~$19,420). Permanent residency granted!
Why Choose VisaTasker?
Expert aged parent visa guidance from temporary to permanent residency
MARA Registered
Licensed migration agents following strict professional standards (MARN 2318017)
Complete Service
From 884 assessment through to 864 permanent residency grant
AoS Expertise
Specialized guidance through complex Assurance of Support process
Transparent Pricing
Fixed $2,500 service fee covering entire 884→864 journey
Sponsor Support
Guidance for your child sponsor including income requirements and bond lodgement
Strategic Planning
Careful timing of 884→864 transition for seamless process
Investment Required
Understanding costs for the onshore aged parent pathway
Government Fees (Staged)
Paid over two stages
- 884 First: ~$5,040 at lodgement
- 884 Second: ~$29,130 before grant
- 864 Second: ~$19,420 for permanent
- Total per parent: ~$53,590+
- AoS bond: $10k per parent (refundable)
- Higher total than direct 864 but staged
Our Professional Service
Fixed fee covering entire 884→864 journey
- Comprehensive eligibility assessment
- Balance of Family Test verification
- Complete 884 application preparation
- Bridging Visa guidance
- AoS coordination and support
- Strategic 864 transition planning
- Complete 864 application preparation
- Support until permanent residency
The onshore two-step pathway allows aged parents already in Australia to split costs over time while staying with family throughout the process
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the age requirement for Subclass 884?
You must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension. Currently, this is age 67 for people born from 1 January 1957 onwards.
2. Can I apply for Subclass 884 if I’m visiting on a tourist visa?
It depends. You can apply for Subclass 884 while in Australia on most temporary visas, but there are critical conditions to check:
- Your current visa must NOT have a “No Further Stay” (Condition 8503)
- If it does, you must apply for a waiver before applying for 884
- You must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted
- Once lodged, you receive a Bridging Visa A allowing you to stay
VisaTasker can check your current visa conditions and advise on the best approach.
3. When do I need to provide the Assurance of Support?
The Assurance of Support (AoS) is NOT required when you first lodge your application. It’s only requested later – typically when your application is near decision time (which could be several years after lodgement).
Timeline:
- Lodge application: No AoS needed
- Years later: Department requests AoS
- Sponsor lodges AoS with Services Australia
- Bond paid ($10k per parent)
- Visa granted after AoS accepted
4. How long does Subclass 884 take to process?
Processing times for contributory parent visas typically range from 5-6 years due to annual program caps and queueing systems. While this seems long, it’s significantly faster than non-contributory parent visas which can take 30+ years.
5. What happens after my 2-year Subclass 884 visa expires?
The Subclass 884 visa cannot be extended or renewed. You must apply for the Subclass 864 (permanent) visa before your 884 expires to remain in Australia legally.
VisaTasker Strategy:
- We lodge your 864 application 1-1.5 years into your 2-year stay
- This ensures you have a bridging visa if 884 expires before 864 is granted
- You can remain in Australia lawfully throughout the transition
- No gap in your legal status
6. Is it cheaper to apply directly for Subclass 864 instead of 884 first?
Yes, slightly. The total cost for the 884→864 pathway is higher than applying for 864 directly because you pay two separate application fees.
However, the two-step approach offers:
- Payments spread over 2+ years (more manageable)
- You’re already in Australia with family
- Time to prepare financially for permanent stage
- Flexibility to test living in Australia first
Many families find the flexibility and cash flow management worth the slightly higher total cost.
7. What is the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test requires that at least half of your children are Australian citizens or permanent residents (usually living in Australia), OR you have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
How it works:
- All children (biological, step, adopted) of both parents counted
- Calculate total number of children
- Count how many are Australian citizens/PRs
- If 50% or more are Australian, you pass
- OR if more in Australia than any other single country, you pass
Join Your Family in Australia
The Subclass 884 onshore visa allows aged parents already in Australia to stay with family while splitting migration costs over time. Let VisaTasker guide you through both temporary and permanent stages.
Book Your Consultation
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.