Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) – Permanent Residency for Elderly Parents in Australia
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) offers a pathway for elderly parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently. This is a non-contributory parent visa, meaning the visa application fee is lower, but the processing time is significantly longer compared to contributory visas.
It’s a great option for families seeking a low-cost permanent visa solution to reunite with their elderly parents in Australia.
Key Eligibility Criteria for the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
To be eligible for the Subclass 804 visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
✅ Sponsorship Requirement
You must be sponsored by your child, who must be:
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- If your child is under 18, an eligible relative, guardian, or approved Australian community organization can sponsor you.
✅ Balance of Family Test
You must meet the Balance of Family Test, which means:
- At least half of your children (including stepchildren) live in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or eligible NZ citizens, OR
- You have more children living in Australia than in any other single country.
✅ Assurance of Support
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is required to ensure you won’t rely on government welfare. Your sponsor or another eligible person must provide this financial guarantee.
✅ Age Requirement
You must be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension, which generally means:
- At least 67 years old if born on or after 1 January 1957 (age is assessed at the time of lodgement).
✅ Health and Character Checks
You and any dependents included in the application must pass:
- A full medical examination
- Character checks (such as police clearances)
⚠️ Health requirements are strict and cannot be waived. If you have health issues, speak to a migration expert before applying.
Who Can Sponsor an Aged Parent for the 804 Visa?
Your sponsor must be:
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- At least 18 years old
- Settled in Australia (typically living in Australia for at least 2 years)
In certain cases, an Australian community organisation may sponsor you if:
- They have a clear connection to your child
- They have operated legally in Australia for at least one year
- A senior representative agrees to sponsor you
- The organisation is financially stable
How to Apply – Subclass 804 Visa Process
Step 1: Lodge Your Application
- Complete and submit the visa and sponsorship forms
- Pay the first installment of the visa application fee
Step 2: Join the Processing Queue
- Your application enters the queue (due to long processing times)
- Provide additional documents if requested, including health checks and police certificates
Step 3: Provide Assurance of Support
- When requested, submit the Assurance of Support through your sponsor or another eligible person
Step 4: Finalize with Payment
- Pay the second installment before the visa can be granted
Benefits of the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
Once granted, the Aged Parent Visa allows you to:
- ✅ Live permanently in Australia
- ✅ Work and study without restriction
- ✅ Access Medicare – Australia’s public healthcare system
- ✅ Apply for Australian citizenship (when eligible)
- ✅ Travel in and out of Australia freely
Why Choose the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804?
- Ideal for parents who want a lower-cost permanent visa option
- Suitable for those who can wait for extended processing times
- A good alternative if you do not qualify for faster contributory visas
💡 Note: If faster processing is your priority, consider Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143 or 864), which involve higher fees but shorter wait times.
Why Choose Aggarwal Immigration?
At Aggarwal Immigration, we help you navigate the complex process of bringing your elderly parents to Australia. Our experienced migration agents offer end-to-end support, including:
- ✅ Personalised migration advice based on your family’s unique situation
- ✅ Complete document preparation for sponsorship and assurance of support
- ✅ Ongoing assistance to handle Department requests and long-term planning