The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) allows eligible parents to live in Australia temporarily, with the option to later apply for permanent residence.
With this visa, you can:
- Live in Australia for up to 2 years
- Work and study in Australia (no government support)
- Travel to and from Australia for 2 years
- Apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864)
Age requirement
To be eligible, you must be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension, which is generally:
- 65 years old
Am I eligible for a Contributory Aged Parent visa?
Main criteria
To qualify for this visa, you must meet all key requirements below.
1) You must have an eligible child in Australia
Your sponsor is usually your child, who must be:
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- “Settled” in Australia (usually at least 2 years)
2) You must pass the Balance of Family Test
You must meet the balance of family test, meaning either:
- At least half of your children live permanently in Australia
OR - More of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country
All children count, including:
- Biological children
- Step-children
- Adopted children (of either parent)
3) You must meet health and character requirements
You must also:
- Meet the health requirement
- Meet the character requirement
Visa types (Temporary vs Permanent)
Subclass 864 (Permanent)
The subclass 864 is a permanent contributory aged parent visa.
Key points:
- Permanent visa
- High second instalment (contribution) to offset permanent resident benefits such as Medicare
Fees (government)
| Fee Type | Main Applicant | Additional Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (first instalment) | $5,040 | $2,515 (18+) / $1,260 (under 18) |
| 2nd instalment (second VAC) | $43,600 | $43,600 |
Processing estimate:
- Applications are capped and queued
- Likely 12+ years before final processing
Subclass 884 (Temporary)
The subclass 884 is the temporary version.
Key points:
- Temporary visa for 2 years
- Requires a large second instalment before grant
- Allows you to later apply for subclass 864
Fees (government)
| Fee Type | Main Applicant | Additional Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (first instalment) | $5,040 | $2,515 |
| 2nd instalment (second VAC) | $29,130 | $29,130 |
Before the visa expires, applicants must:
- Pay an additional $19,420
- Apply for the permanent subclass 864
Processing estimate:
- Applications are capped and queued
- Likely 12+ years before final processing
Important note about second instalments (VAC payments)
When is the second instalment paid?
The second instalment is only requested after:
- Health checks are passed
- Character checks are passed
- The Assurance of Support (AoS) has been lodged
Refund policy
- Second instalments are non-refundable
- If the second instalment is requested and paid, the visa will be granted (after requirements are met)
Fees (VisaEnvoy + Government)
Permanent 864 fees
All amounts are in AUD.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| VisaEnvoy Professional Fee (SC864) | $4,500 |
| Government Application Fee (Main Applicant) | $5,040 |
| Government Dependent Fee (Spouse) | $2,515 |
| 2nd VAC (Main Applicant) | $43,600 |
| 2nd VAC (Spouse) | $43,600 |
Credit card surcharge:
- 1.4% applies
Temporary 884 → Permanent 864 pathway fees
This option allows you to spread the cost over time.
Stage 1: Temporary 884
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| VisaEnvoy Professional Fee (SC884) | $4,500 |
| Government Application Fee (Main Applicant) | $5,040 |
| Government Dependant Fee (Spouse) | $2,515 |
| 2nd VAC (Main Applicant) | $29,130 |
| 2nd VAC (Spouse) | $29,130 |
Stage 2: Permanent 864 (before the 884 expires)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| VisaEnvoy Professional Fee (SC864) | $2,000 |
| Government Application Fee (Main Applicant) | $445 |
| Government Dependant Fee (Spouse) | $225 |
| 2nd VAC (Main Applicant) | $19,420 |
| 2nd VAC (Spouse) | $19,420 |
Credit card surcharge:
- 1.4% applies
Assurance of Support (AoS)
What is AoS?
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial bond paid near the time of decision.
Typical cost
For two applicants, the AoS is currently:
- $14,000
Refund rule
The bond is refunded:
- 10 years after you enter Australia as a contributory parent visa holder
- Minus any debts owed to the Australian government
Bridging Visas
Bridging Visa A (BVA)
If you are in Australia on another valid visa (such as a visitor visa) and you apply for subclass 884/864, you may receive:
- A Bridging Visa A (BVA)
This allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while your application is processed.
Bridging Visa B (BVB)
If you leave Australia while on a BVA:
- Your BVA may stop
- You may lose your right to return
If you need to travel, you may need:
- A Bridging Visa B (BVB)
Typical travel allowance:
- 3 months
Work rights:
- You generally have full work rights while the bridging visa is active.
Health insurance (Medicare)
Medicare eligibility
Both of these visa holders are generally eligible for Medicare:
- Subclass 864 (Permanent)
- Subclass 884 (Temporary)
If you’ve applied for a contributory parent visa, you may be able to get a Medicare card.
Important rule:
- If you apply directly for the permanent contributory visa without holding the temporary contributory visa, you may not be eligible until the permanent visa is granted.
Length of stay
How long does the 884 visa last?
- 2 years
Visa caps (2023–24 financial year)
The maximum number of family visas that may be granted for the 2023–2024 financial year for Contributory Parent visas is:
Total cap
- 6,800 visas
Includes these subclasses
- Contributory Parent (Migrant) Subclass 143 (including 112 retiree pathway places)
- Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) Subclass 864
- Contributory Parent (Temporary) Subclass 173
- Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Subclass 884
