What the Subclass 804 Actually Offers
The subclass 804 Aged Parent visa is a non-contributory permanent visa for parents of pension age who are in Australia. It is an attractive option in terms of application charges — far cheaper than the contributory subclass 864 or the offshore subclass 143. However, the non-contributory parent visa queue is extraordinarily long.
For most new applicants, the subclass 804's primary practical value is not as a route to imminent permanent residence — it is as a mechanism for the parent to live in Australia lawfully on a Bridging Visa while the application is in the queue. The parent can remain in Australia for many years (potentially decades) on a Bridging Visa waiting for a grant, rather than having to return overseas or use a succession of temporary visas.
This is not a criticism of the visa — for many families, a lawful long-term stay in Australia while eventually progressing toward permanent residence is exactly what they need. But it is important to enter the 804 pathway with clear expectations about the timeline.
Eligibility for the Subclass 804
1. Australian Age Pension age
The parent must have reached Australian Age Pension age at the time of application. As at August 2026, the Age Pension age is 67 for both men and women (recently equalised). Confirm the current age requirement on the DoHA website before lodging.
2. Balance of Family Test
More than half of the parent's children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens — or the number of children who are Australian or eligible must be equal to or greater than those who are not. This is a hard requirement — it cannot be waived. See the Balance of Family Test page for worked examples.
3. Sponsorship by an eligible child
The parent must be sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen child (or the child's partner who is themselves eligible). The sponsor must meet the settlement requirement — they must have been living in Australia lawfully for a specified period.
4. In Australia at the time of application
The 804 is an onshore visa. The parent must be in Australia at lodgement. The parent must also be in Australia at the time of visa grant. If the parent is outside Australia when the Department is ready to grant, the visa cannot be granted until the parent returns.
5. Assurance of Support
The sponsor must provide an Assurance of Support (AoS), including a security bond. This is a legally binding financial commitment — the sponsor undertakes to support the parent and to repay certain Centrelink welfare payments if the parent accesses them within the AoS period. See the Assurance of Support section below.
The Bridging Visa — Staying Lawfully During the Long Wait
After the 804 application is lodged, the parent receives a Bridging Visa A (BVA) that allows them to remain in Australia lawfully while the application is in the queue. This is the key practical mechanism that makes the 804 useful despite the long wait.
Work rights on the BVA
The BVA granted while waiting for the 804 generally does not include work rights. The parent cannot take employment in Australia during the wait. This is a significant limitation compared to the contributory pathways.
Medicare on the BVA
Medicare access on the 804 Bridging Visa is limited. The parent does not generally have access to Medicare while waiting on a BVA for the 804. Health insurance is strongly recommended. This is another key difference from the contributory 864.
Travel while on a BVA
The standard BVA does not allow the parent to leave and re-enter Australia without a Bridging Visa B (BVB). Leaving on a BVA without a BVB causes the BVA to cease. Seek advice before any international travel during the waiting period.
The BVA continues until decision
The BVA remains valid for as long as the 804 application is in the queue — potentially for decades. The parent remains lawfully in Australia throughout this period, provided the BVA conditions are met.
Assurance of Support
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a legally binding commitment by the sponsor (the Australian child or their partner) to support the parent financially and to repay certain Centrelink welfare payments if the parent accesses them within a specified period. The AoS requires a security bond — a substantial sum deposited with the Department of Human Services.
The AoS is a serious legal commitment. If the parent accesses certain Centrelink payments within the AoS period, the sponsor is liable to repay them. Sponsors should seek legal and financial advice before providing an AoS.
The Non-Contributory Parent Visa Queue
Why is the queue so long? The annual planning level for non-contributory parent visas is very small — the number of visas granted each year is far exceeded by the number of applications in the queue. This creates a structural backlog that new applications join at the back of.
Understanding this is essential for planning. The 804 is not a route to permanent residence within a foreseeable timeframe for most new applicants. It is a way to have the parent in Australia on a lawful Bridging Visa, with the eventual prospect of permanent residence many years in the future.
Subclass 804 vs Alternatives
Families considering the 804 should compare all available options:
Figures current at August 2026 — confirm all charges and processing times on the DoHA website.
Visa Application Charges
The 804 application charge is significantly lower than the contributory alternatives — one of its key practical attractions. The low charge reflects the non-contributory nature of the visa: no large financial contribution is required, but the tradeoff is the very long queue.
Figures current at August 2026 — confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.