Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) visa (subclass 864)

Main criteria

The Australian Department of Home Affairs operates a Parent Visa that is for people who have children living in Australia as permanent residents or citizens who are “settled” in Australia.   “Settled” means a person must have been a resident in Australia for a reasonable period, which under policy is usually two years.

In order to qualify for this visa the applicant must meet what is referred to as the balance of family test. This test states that the applicant must have at least half of their children living in Australia as an Australian citizen or permanent resident or that more of your children live in Australia than any other country. All children, including step children and adopted children of both parents are included in the balance of family test.

In addition to the balance of family test you must be sponsored by an eligible person, usually your child and you must meet the health and character requirements.

Visa types

Subclass 864 (Permanent) – This is a permanent visa referred to as a “Contributory” visa. This is because the initial application fee is $6,300 for the first applicant and $3,145 for any additional applicant. However the second instalment for each applicant is $43,600. Home Affairs estimates that new contributory parent applications will take around 18 years to be released for final processing. As at 31 August 2026, 864 and 884 applications queued up to November 2020 had been released. SC864 is a permanent visa from approval.

The large “Contribution” of money that is called for upon the second instalment is in order to offset the rights that are awarded to the visa holder under permanent residency such as health care that they have not contributed towards throughout their lives as ordinary Australians have throughout their life by way of tax.

Subclass 884 (Temporary) – This is a temporary visa with an initial Australian government fee of $6,300 and $3,145 for any additional applicant. Before the visa is granted the second instalment of $29,130 is required to be paid.  The applicants are granted a 2 year temporary visa. Before this visa expires they must pay an additional $19,420 and apply for the permanent visa subclass 864. Home Affairs estimates that new contributory parent applications will take around 18 years to be released for final processing. As at 31 August 2026, 864 and 884 applications queued up to November 2020 had been released.

In all cases the second instalment of monies paid is only called for after each applicant has passed health and character tests and the AoS (Assurance of Support, see below for AoS details) has been lodged with the Australian government. In no case will a second instalment be paid and a visa not granted.  Second instalments are non-refundable in all cases.

Fees

 The fees for Permanent Parent Visas are as follows; note all fees are in AUD and that that VisaEnvoy fees are payable in full prior to lodgement of your visa application.

VisaEnvoy Professional Fee – Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent- SC864)	$4,500 to $6,500
Application Fee – Main Applicant (at time of application)* Dependent Application Fee (Spouse)*	$6,300 $3,145
2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)* Main Applicant 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)* Spouse	$43,600 +  $43,600

*1.4% Credit card surcharge applies.

As noted above if you wish to stagger the process, you can apply for the Temporary Parent Visa (subclass 884) which is granted for 2 years and then apply for the Permanent Visa. The advantage is a lower 2^nd VAC fee of $29,130. At the permanent stage 2 years later a second payment of $19,420 is payable. Once the first stage is approved the visa holder can live in Australia as the holder of the subclass 884 visa.

Fees for the subclass 884 > subclass 864 pathway are as follows;

VisaEnvoy Professional Fee –Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary-SC884)	$4,500 to $5,500
Application Fee – Main Applicant (at time of application)* Dependent Application Fee (Spouse)*	$6,300 + $3,145
2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)* Main Applicant 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)* Spouse	$29,130 $29,130
VisaEnvoy Professional Fee –Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Permanent- SC864, for 884 holders)	$2,000
Application Fee – Main Applicant (at time of application)* Dependant Application Fee (Spouse)*	$555 +  $280
2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)* Main Applicant 2nd Visa Application Charge (at time of decision)* Spouse	$19,420 $19,420

*1.4% Credit card surcharge applies.

Assurance of Support (AoS)

 Additionally there is an AoS which is payable toward time of decision. The bond is $10,000 for the main applicant and $4,000 for each additional adult, so $14,000 for a couple. The bond is refunded ten years after you enter Australia as the holder of the contributory parent visa, less any debts owed to the Australian government.

Bridging Visas

If you are in Australia as the holder of a valid visa (e.g. Visitor visa) and you make an application for a Contributory parent visa (subclass 884/864) visa, you can be granted what is called a Bridging Visa “A” (BVA). The BVA enables you to remain lawfully in Australia while your visa application is being processed.

If you travel outside Australia your BVA may cease (depending on your situation), so you may have no ‘right of re-entry’ into Australia. Therefore, if you need to travel during the processing of your visa you may first need to obtain what is called a Bridging Visa “B” (BVB). The BVB will allow limited travel during the processing of your application in Australia. The standard period of time allowed for travel during the processing of an application is three (3) months. You have full work rights while your bridging visa is in effect.

Health Insurance

 Both holders of Subclass 864 (Permanent) and Subclass 884 (Temporary) visas are eligible for domestic health cover known as Medicare. If you’ve applied for a Contributory parent visa you may get a Medicare card. If you’ve applied directly for the permanent Contributory visa without holding the temporary Contributory visa you’re not eligible until your permanent Contributory visa is granted. For more information please see our Medicare guide.

Length of stay

Cost

Fees for the 864 and 884 visa

Parent Visa Places 2026-27

Parent visas are capped each year under the Migration Program planning levels. For 2026-27 there are:

• 7,060 Parent places (contributory and non-contributory combined), down from 8,500 in 2025-26. The split for 2026-27 has not yet been published. In 2025-26 it was 6,800 Contributory Parent and 1,700 Parent places.
• 400 Other Family places, down from 500.

Processing priority

Since 25 July 2026, contributory parent visas (including the 864 and 884) are processed after partner, child and orphan relative visas, but ahead of carer, non-contributory parent and other family visas. 884 holders applying for the permanent 864 are processed separately and much faster. Applications lodged up to May 2026 were being assessed at 31 August 2026.

Who the 864 Visa Is For

The 864 is a permanent visa for older parents who are already in Australia. It suits parents who:

• have reached Age Pension age (currently 67)
• are in Australia now, usually on a visitor visa or another temporary visa, and want to stay with their family
• pass the balance of family test and have an eligible sponsor
• can fund the contributory visa charges and the Assurance of Support

Unlike the 143 visa, which can be lodged from overseas, you must be in Australia when you apply for the 864 and when it is decided. If you are not yet of Age Pension age, look at the 143 or the 173 instead.

Does my partner also need to be of Age Pension age?

The age requirement applies to the main applicant. A partner who is younger can generally be included in the application as a member of the main applicant’s family unit, as long as the main applicant meets the age requirement. If both partners are close to Age Pension age, it is worth checking which partner should be the main applicant.

Before You Lodge: Check Your Current Visa

Because the 864 is lodged in Australia, the visa you hold on the day you apply matters as much as the 864 criteria themselves.

• No further stay conditions. If your current visa has a “no further stay” condition (such as condition 8503), you generally cannot lodge an 864 in Australia unless the condition is first waived. Waivers are only granted in limited circumstances. Visitor visas granted in the Sponsored Family stream always carry this condition, and many tourist stream visitor visas for parents do too. Read our guide to condition 8503.
• Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa holders. If you hold or have applied for a subclass 870 visa, you generally cannot apply for the 864 or 884 in Australia. Think carefully before choosing the 870 if you plan to apply for an aged parent visa later.
• Previous refusals or cancellations. A visa refusal or cancellation while you were in Australia can prevent you from applying for some visas onshore. Get advice before lodging.
• Visa expiry date. Lodge while your current visa is still valid. If you are unlawful when you apply, extra criteria apply and a bridging visa may not be available in the usual way. See our page on Schedule 3 criteria.

How to Apply for the 864 Visa: Step by Step

1. Check the balance of family test. List every child, including stepchildren and adopted children, where they live and their visa status. See our balance of family test guide.
2. Check your current visa conditions. Confirm you can lawfully lodge an application in Australia (see above).
3. Choose your pathway. Decide between applying directly for the 864 or applying for the 884 first (see the comparison below).
4. Prepare the sponsorship and your documents. Your sponsor, usually your child, must be settled in Australia. The sponsorship is lodged with your application.
5. Lodge the application in Australia and pay the first instalment. If you hold a substantive visa, you will usually be granted a Bridging Visa A.
6. Receive a queue date and wait. Keep your passport, address and family details up to date with Home Affairs.
7. Queue release. Complete health examinations and police certificates, and arrange the Assurance of Support and bond.
8. Pay the second instalment and receive your visa. You must be in Australia when the visa is granted.

Direct 864 or 884 First? A Worked Cost Example

The 864 and the 884 share the same queue. As at 31 August 2026, both had been released up to November 2020. Choosing the 884 does not get you a decision sooner. The difference is how the cost is paid and what you can access while you wait for the permanent visa.

Applicants	Direct 864	884, then 864
One parent	$49,900 ($6,300 + $43,600)	$55,405 ($6,300 + $29,130 for the 884, then $555 + $19,420 for the 864)
Two parents (a couple)	$96,645 ($6,300 + $3,145 + $43,600 x 2)	$107,380 ($6,300 + $3,145 + $29,130 x 2 for the 884, then $555 + $280 + $19,420 x 2 for the 864)

These are government visa application charges from 1 July 2026. The Assurance of Support bond ($10,000 for one parent or $14,000 for a couple) is payable on top and is refundable after ten years, less any debts recovered. Health examinations, police certificates, translations and professional fees are extra. Charges are usually indexed on 1 July each year.

In this example, the 884 route costs a couple about $10,735 more in total. In return, the large payment is split into two stages, and you can hold a temporary visa with Medicare access while the 864 is processed. Applications from 884 holders for the 864 are processed separately from the main queue: as at 31 August 2026, Home Affairs was assessing these temporary to permanent applications lodged up to May 2026.

Living in Australia While You Wait

Contributory aged parent applications can stay in the queue for many years. During that time you will usually be in Australia on a bridging visa.

• Bridging Visa A. A BVA usually comes into effect when your current visa expires. It generally keeps the work rights and conditions of your previous visa. Read more on our bridging visas page.
• Travel. A BVA does not let you return to Australia once you leave. Apply for a Bridging Visa B before each trip, and make sure you are back before it expires. See our guide to Bridging Visa B applications.
• Health cover. A pending 864 application on its own does not give you access to Medicare. Many families arrange private health insurance for visitors during this period. See our Medicare eligibility guide.
• Be in Australia at the right time. You must be in Australia when the 864 is granted. Plan long trips carefully once your application is close to release.

After Your 864 Is Granted

As a permanent resident, you can live in Australia indefinitely and enrol in Medicare. Some other things to know:

• Travel facility. Your permanent visa lets you travel in and out of Australia for five years from the date of grant. After that, you need a Resident Return visa to return to Australia as a permanent resident.
• Assurance of Support. The assurance period runs for ten years. The assurer remains responsible for repaying certain social security payments received during that period.
• Social security. Most payments have waiting periods for new residents, and the Age Pension generally requires ten years of Australian residence.
• Citizenship. Once you meet the residence requirement, you may be able to apply for Australian citizenship.

Common Mistakes With the 864

• Coming to Australia on a visitor visa with a “no further stay” condition, then finding the 864 cannot be lodged onshore.
• Applying for a subclass 870 visa without realising it can rule out an onshore aged parent application.
• Waiting until the current visa has expired before lodging.
• Leaving stepchildren or children from a previous relationship out of the balance of family test.
• Travelling on a BVA without first getting a Bridging Visa B.
• Assuming the assurer’s income today will still meet the income test when the application is released many years later.
• Being overseas when the 864 is ready to be granted.

Contributory Aged Parent Visa 864: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the 864 from outside Australia?

No. You must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided. If you are outside Australia, consider the 143 or 173 instead.

Can I apply for the 864 while I am on a visitor visa?

Yes, if your visitor visa does not have a “no further stay” condition and you meet the other requirements. If it does, the condition would usually need to be waived first, which is only possible in limited circumstances.

Is the 864 faster than the 884?

No. Both are released from the same queue. The 884 splits the cost into two stages and gives you a temporary visa while the 864 is processed, but it costs more in total.

Can I leave Australia while my 864 is being processed?

Yes, but you need a Bridging Visa B to come back if you are on a BVA. You must also be in Australia when the visa is granted.

Can I work while I wait?

That depends on the conditions of your bridging visa, which usually reflect the visa you held before. If you need work rights, ask us about your options.

What happens if my child who sponsored me moves overseas?

A change like this can affect your sponsorship and your balance of family test result, which is checked again when your application is decided. Tell Home Affairs and get advice as soon as possible.

Family visa guides

• Partner visa Australia
• Onshore partner visa (820 and 801)
• Offshore partner visa (309 and 100)
• Prospective Marriage visa (300)
• Partner visa costs
• Parent visa Australia
• Sponsored Parent visa (870)
• Parent visa costs
• Child visa Australia
• Relative visa options
• Family visa processing times
• Partner visa assessment