Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864/884) - Complete Guide

The Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864/884) allows aged parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia. This contributory visa pathway offers significantly faster processing than non-contributory options but requires higher fees, an Assurance of Support, and comprehensive health insurance.

The visa operates in two stages: first you receive the temporary Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884), then you can apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). This pathway is specifically designed for parents who have reached retirement age and need to be closer to their Australian children for care and support.

Who This Visa Is For

• Aged parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents
• Seniors who have reached Australian retirement age
• Elderly parents needing family support and care
• Couples where one or both qualify based on age
• Families seeking faster processing than standard parent visas
• Parents requiring access to Australian healthcare system Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia. This contributory visa pathway offers significantly faster processing than non-contributory options but requires higher fees, an Assurance of Support, and comprehensive health insurance.

The visa operates in two stages: first you receive the temporary Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884), then you can apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). This pathway is specifically designed for parents who have reached retirement age and need to be closer to their Australian children for care and support.

Who This Visa Is For

• Aged parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents

• Seniors who have reached Australian retirement age

• Elderly parents needing family support and care

• Couples where one or both qualify based on age

• Families seeking faster processing than standard parent visas

• Parents requiring access to Australian healthcare system'

Age Requirements

Retirement Age Definition: You must have reached retirement age as defined by Australian social security law:

Age Verification:

• Birth certificate showing exact date of birth
• Passport confirming age
• Government-issued age verification documents
• Consistent documentation across all evidence

Primary Requirements

To be eligible for the Aged Parent Visa, you must:

1. Have reached retirement age as defined above
2. Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
3. Meet the balance-of-family test
4. Be sponsored by your eligible child
5. Have an approved Assurance of Support
6. Meet health and character requirements
7. Have adequate health insurance
8. Be outside Australia when applying (for most applicants)

Balance-of-Family Test

You meet this test if:

Option 1: At least half of your children live permanently in Australia

Option 2: You have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country

Counting Your Children:

• Include all children (biological, adopted, step-children)
• Children must be alive at time of application
• Consider permanent residence status, not temporary visas
• Count children regardless of their age

Sponsor Requirements

Your sponsoring child must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Be 18 years or older (or married/in de facto relationship if younger)
• Usually resident in Australia for at least 2 years before sponsoring
• Provide written undertaking for support obligations
• Not have outstanding debts to Australian government
• Meet character requirements

Retirement Age Definition:

You must have reached retirement age as defined by Australian social security law:

| Date of Birth | Retirement Age |

|—|—|

| Before 1 July 1952 | 65 years |

| 1 July 1952 - 31 December 1953 | 65.5 years |

| 1 January 1954 - 30 June 1955 | 66 years |

| 1 July 1955 - 31 December 1956 | 66.5 years |

| 1 January 1957 onwards | 67 years |

Age Verification:

• Birth certificate showing exact date of birth

• Passport confirming age

• Government-issued age verification documents

• Consistent documentation across all evidence

Primary Requirements

To be eligible for the Aged Parent Visa, you must:

1. Have reached retirement age as defined above

2. Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

3. Meet the balance-of-family test

4. Be sponsored by your eligible child

5. Have an approved Assurance of Support

6. Meet health and character requirements

7. Have adequate health insurance

8. Be outside Australia when applying (for most applicants)

Balance-of-Family Test

You meet this test if:

Option 1: At least half of your children live permanently in Australia

Option 2: You have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country

Counting Your Children:

• Include all children (biological, adopted, step-children)

• Children must be alive at time of application

• Consider permanent residence status, not temporary visas

• Count children regardless of their age

Sponsor Requirements

Your sponsoring child must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

• Be 18 years or older (or married/in de facto relationship if younger)

• Usually resident in Australia for at least 2 years before sponsoring

• Provide written undertaking for support obligations

• Not have outstanding debts to Australian government

• Meet character requirements'

Application Preparation

1. Verify age requirements carefully
2. Arrange comprehensive health insurance early
3. Complete thorough health assessments
4. Plan for aged care needs proactively
5. Engage family in support planning

Health Strategy

1. Address health conditions before applying
2. Secure appropriate specialist care
3. Document health management plans
4. Consider health waiver implications
5. Plan ongoing care requirements

Family Planning

1. Assess long-term care capacity

2. Plan accommodation arrangements

3. Consider proximity to family support

4. Evaluate aged care facility options

5. Prepare advanced care directives

6. Verify age requirements carefully

7. Arrange comprehensive health insurance early

8. Complete thorough health assessments

9. Plan for aged care needs proactively

10. Engage family in support planning

Health Strategy

1. Address health conditions before applying

2. Secure appropriate specialist care

3. Document health management plans

4. Consider health waiver implications

5. Plan ongoing care requirements

Family Planning

1. Assess long-term care capacity

2. Plan accommodation arrangements

3. Consider proximity to family support

4. Evaluate aged care facility options

5. Prepare advanced care directives'