The Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) visa (subclass 864) is a permanent visa for eligible parents who have children settled in Australia.
This visa lets you:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely
- Work and study in Australia
- Enrol in Medicare (Australia’s public health system)
- Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
Age requirement
You must be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension, which is currently:
- 67 years old
Am I eligible for a Contributory Aged Parent visa?
Main criteria
To qualify, you must meet all key requirements below.
1) You must have an eligible child in Australia
The parent visa program is for people who have children living in Australia as:
- Australian citizens
- Australian permanent residents
Your child must be considered “settled” in Australia.
What does “settled” mean?
“Settled” generally means the child has been living in Australia for a reasonable period, which under policy is usually:
- 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
Children included in this test
The balance of family test includes:
- Biological children
- Step-children
- Adopted children (of either parent)
3) You must be sponsored
You must be sponsored by an eligible person, usually your child.
4) You must meet health and character requirements
You must also meet:
- Health requirements
- Character requirements
Visa options (864 vs 884)
Subclass 864 (Permanent)
The subclass 864 is a permanent contributory aged parent visa.
Key points:
- Permanent visa from approval
- High second instalment required
- Applications are capped and queued
Government fees (subclass 864)
| Fee Type | Main Applicant | Additional Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (first instalment) | $5,040 | $2,515 |
| 2nd instalment (second VAC) | $43,600 | $43,600 |
Processing estimate
- New applications may take 12+ years before being released for final processing.
Subclass 884 (Temporary)
The subclass 884 is the temporary pathway that leads to the permanent 864.
Key points:
- Temporary visa for 2 years
- Allows cost to be spread across two stages
- Requires another payment and application for permanent stage
Government fees (subclass 884)
| Fee Type | Main Applicant | Additional Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (first instalment) | $5,040 | $2,515 |
| 2nd instalment (second VAC) | $29,130 | $29,130 |
Before the 884 expires, applicants must:
- Pay an additional $19,420
- Apply for the permanent subclass 864
Why the visa is called “Contributory”
Subclass 864 is called a contributory visa because it includes a large second instalment payment.
This contribution is designed to help offset the cost of benefits granted under permanent residency, such as:
- Medicare access
- Other long-term residency rights
Second instalment payments (important rule)
When is the second instalment requested?
Second instalments are 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
- Once the second instalment is requested and paid, the visa will be granted (if requirements are met)
Fees (VisaEnvoy + Government)
Permanent 864 fees
All amounts are in AUD.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| VisaEnvoy Professional Fee (SC864) | $4,500 to $6,500 |
| 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 stagger costs.
Stage 1: Temporary 884
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| VisaEnvoy Professional Fee (SC884) | $4,500 to $5,500 |
| Government Application Fee (Main Applicant) | $5,040 |
| Government Dependent Fee (Spouse) | $2,515 |
| 2nd VAC (Main Applicant) | $29,130 |
| 2nd VAC (Spouse) | $29,130 |
Stage 2: Permanent 864
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| VisaEnvoy Professional Fee (SC864 stage) | $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
Processing time (estimated)
These visas are subject to capping and queuing.
Typical estimate
- 12+ years before final processing (for newly lodged applications)
Assurance of Support (AoS)
What is AoS?
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial bond paid near the time of decision.
Typical AoS amount
For two applicants, this is currently:
- $14,000
Refund rule
The bond is refunded:
- 10 years after you enter Australia
- Minus any debts owed to the Australian government
Bridging visas
Bridging Visa A (BVA)
If you are in Australia on a valid visa (such as a visitor visa) and you lodge a subclass 884/864 application, you may receive:
- A Bridging Visa A (BVA)
This allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is processed.
Bridging Visa B (BVB)
If you travel outside Australia while on a BVA:
- Your BVA may cease
- You may lose your right to re-enter Australia
If you need to travel during processing, you may need:
- A Bridging Visa B (BVB)
Typical travel permission:
- 3 months
Work rights:
- You generally have full work rights while your bridging visa is active.
Medicare (Health insurance)
Medicare eligibility
Both visa holders are generally eligible for Medicare:
- Subclass 864 (Permanent)
- Subclass 884 (Temporary)
Important note:
- 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 subclass 864 last?
- This is a permanent visa
- You can stay in Australia indefinitely
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
