If you are looking to bring your parents permanently to Australia, the 804 visa—officially known as the aged parent visa Australia subclass 804—is one of the most searched options for families already settled in Australia. This visa allows eligible aged parents to live in Australia permanently with their children, access Medicare, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship. In this in-depth guide, we will explain Australian aged parent visa in a simple, conversational, and practical way. You’ll learn who can apply, eligibility rules, documents required, visa 804 Australia processing time, costs, benefits, common mistakes, and expert tips to improve approval chances.
The aged parent visa subclass 804, is a permanent resident visa for parents who are old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension and who have an eligible child settled in Australia.
Unlike contributory parent visas, the 804 aged parent visa has a much lower visa application charge, but it comes with one major drawback—a very long waiting period. Despite this, many families choose the 804 parent visa because it offers a permanent stay pathway without paying high upfront fees.
Permanent residency for aged parents
Apply onshore while staying in Australia
Lower cost compared to contributory visas
Access to Medicare (after certain conditions)
Long queue and extended processing time
To apply for the aged parent subclass 804 visa, applicants must meet strict age, family, and sponsorship requirements.
Applicants must be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension at the time of application:
Currently 67 years or older (age may change with policy updates)
This is what makes the Australian aged parent visa different from other parent visas.
You must be inside Australia when:
You lodge the application
The visa decision is made
This makes visa 804 Australia an onshore-only visa.
You must:
Be of pension age
Be inside Australia on a valid visa
Meet the Balance of Family Test
Meet health and character requirements
Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
Your sponsoring child must:
Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Be settled in Australia
Be at least 18 years old
Provide an Assurance of Support
The Balance of Family Test is a crucial requirement for the aged parent subclass 804 visa.
You meet this test if:
At least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or
More of your children live in Australia than in any other single country
For example:
2 children in Australia, 1 in India → Pass
1 in Australia, 2 in another country → Fail
Failing this test is one of the most common reasons for refusal of a visa 804 Australia application.
Proper documentation plays a big role in avoiding delays for the 804 visa Australia processing time.
Valid passport
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Proof of age eligibility
Police clearance certificates
Health examination results
Proof of Australian citizenship or PR
Evidence of relationship (birth certificate)
Proof of residence in Australia
Financial documents for Assurance of Support
Applying for the aged parent visa 804 is a long-term commitment that requires careful preparation, accuracy, and patience. Because the subclass 804 visa operates under a queue-based system with extended waiting periods, submitting a correct and well-documented application from the start is critical. Below is a clear, step-by-step explanation of how the 804 visa Australia application process works.
Before starting the application, confirm that you meet all aged parent visa Australia eligibility requirements. You must be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension, meet the balance of family test, and be physically present in Australia on a valid visa at the time of application and decision. Verifying eligibility early helps avoid unnecessary refusals or delays in your 804 parent visa application.
The next step is to prepare a complete set of documents for both the parent applicant and the sponsoring child. This includes proof of age, relationship evidence, identity documents, health and character records, and sponsorship papers. All documents must be correctly certified, as incomplete or incorrectly prepared paperwork can significantly impact the visa 804 Australia processing time.
Unlike most modern Australian visas, the aged parent subclass 804 visa must be lodged via a paper application, not online. The completed application form, along with supporting documents, must be mailed to the correct Department of Home Affairs address. Accuracy at this stage is essential, as errors can delay your placement in the 804 visa Australia queue.
Once your 804 aged parent visa application is successfully lodged, you will usually be granted a Bridging Visa, allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is being processed. This bridging visa can provide peace of mind during the long waiting period, although travel restrictions may apply unless you apply separately for a Bridging Visa B.
After lodgement, your application joins the official queue for visa 804 Australia. Due to annual visa caps and high demand, waiting times can extend for decades. While waiting, it’s important to keep your contact details updated and comply with all visa conditions. Patience and long-term planning are key parts of the aged parent visa 804 journey.
One of the biggest advantages of the 804 aged parent visa is the ability to remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa.
With a Bridging Visa, you may:
Stay legally in Australia
Access Medicare (after approval stage)
Apply for work rights (in some cases)
However, travel restrictions may apply unless you obtain a Bridging Visa B.
The visa 804 Australia processing time is extremely long compared to other parent visas.
20 to 30+ years (queue-based processing)
Yes, it’s long—but the low cost is the reason many families still apply for the aged parent visa Australia.
Annual visa caps
High demand
Limited allocations for non-contributory parent visas
One of the main reasons families choose the 804 visa is affordability.
First instalment: Low initial cost
Second instalment: Payable later, still significantly lower than contributory visas
Additional costs include:
Medical exams
Police checks
Assurance of Support bond
Despite the long wait, the aged parent subclass 804 visa offers meaningful long-term benefits.
Permanent residency pathway
Lower visa cost
Access to Medicare
Freedom to live with family
Pathway to Australian citizenship
For families who prioritize reunion over speed, the 804 parent visa remains a valuable option.
Avoid these mistakes when applying for the aged parent visa 804:
Failing the balance of family test
Incorrect age calculation
Incomplete documentation
Health or character issues
Incorrect visa status at lodgement
Professional guidance can significantly reduce risks associated with visa 804 Australia applications.
Yes, in some cases, applicants waiting on an aged parent subclass 804 visa may switch to a contributory parent visa to reduce waiting time—subject to eligibility and costs.
This strategy requires careful planning and expert advice.
Apply as soon as age eligibility is met
Double-check balance of family test
Keep all visas valid during waiting period
Maintain updated contact details with immigration
Seek professional assistance for documentation
The 804 visa Australia is a permanent aged parent visa Australia that allows eligible elderly parents to live in Australia with their sponsoring child. It is a low-cost, queue-based type of Australian parent visa designed for onshore applicants.
Yes. The aged parent subclass 804 visa grants permanent residency, allowing parents to live in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare (subject to conditions), and later apply for Australian citizenship.
The visa 804 Australia processing time is very long and typically exceeds 20 to 30 years due to strict annual caps and high demand for non-contributory parent visas.
Yes. Applicants who lodge the 804 aged parent visa onshore are usually granted a Bridging Visa, allowing them to stay lawfully in Australia while waiting for a decision.
Yes. The aged parent visa 804 is significantly more affordable than contributory parent visas, making it a popular option despite its much longer waiting period.
Work rights on a bridging visa are not automatic. They may be granted based on individual circumstances, such as financial hardship, and must be applied for separately.
The Aged Parent Visa Australia Subclass 804 is ideal for families seeking an affordable, permanent solution to reunite with elderly parents—without the pressure of high visa fees. While the 804 visa Australia processing time is long, the onshore stay benefits, Medicare access, and permanent residency pathway make it a practical choice for many.
If cost matters more than speed and long-term family unity is your goal, the aged parent visa 804 can be the right pathway—when applied for correctly and strategically.
