The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a permanent residency visa for older parents who are already in Australia on a valid temporary visa. While it is a non-contributory visa, it is subject to strict “capping and queueing,” leading to exceptionally long wait times.
Below is the precise breakdown of the eligibility criteria and requirements as of 2026.
Eligibility Criteria for the Australia 804 Visa
Here are the detailed aged parent visa eligibility requirements
Must have a sponsor
You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor, which is typically your child. The sponsor must be:
- A settled Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Note: A settled Australian citizen means living in Australia for at least 2 years.
Age requirement
To be considered an “aged parent,” the applicant must meet the age eligibility criteria for the Australian Age Pension or retirement age at the time of application.
Meet health and character requirements
- Health: All applicants must meet the “Migration Health Requirement,” which involves a medical examination.
- Character: You must provide police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.
Balance of Family Test
This test measures your family ties to Australia. You pass if:
- At least half of your children and step-children live permanently in Australia; OR
- There are more of your children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
- Note: Children on temporary visas in Australia are counted as living overseas for this test.
Not have any debt to the Australian government
If the applicant or their family members owe money to the government, they must repay it or have an approved agreement to settle the debt.
Get Expert Help for Your Subclass 804 Visa Application
The parent visa procedure is lengthy and complex. If you require guidance on whether the 804 visa is right for you or want to explore other options, you can contact our skilled migration agents in Australia for personalised support. Our agents help you meet the necessary eligibility criteria, lodge your application with the required documents, and become eligible for it.
Conclusion
The Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 is crucial for families wanting to reunite in Australia. While the visa offers significant benefits, it also has strict eligibility criteria and lengthy processing times.
By understanding and meeting the requirements for the Aged Parent Visa, candidates can secure a long-term path to live with their family in Australia. Despite the challenges, the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones in a thriving and welcoming country makes the effort worthwhile.
FAQs
1. Can I include family members in an 804 visa application?
Yes, you can include your partner and dependent children in the 804-visa application. Dependent children can be under 18, or aged between 18 to 23 if financially dependent on you. However, siblings cannot be included in this visa application.
2. Do I need to apply from inside Australia for a subclass 804 visa?
Yes, you must apply from inside Australia to get approval for an 804 visa.
3. How long does an 804 visa take to be processed?
The processing times of the aged parent 804 visa take a long time because of limited visa places every year under the migration program managed by the Department of Home Affairs.
4. Can a sponsoring child support more than one parent?
Yes, the eligible child can sponsor both parents for an 804 visa if they meet the sponsorship and Assurance of Support requirements.
5. Is the aged parent visa 804 a permanent visa?
Yes, it is a permanent visa and allows your parents to stay permanently in Australia.
6. Who can sponsor an aged parent visa 804 applicant?
Usually, the sponsor is the applicant’s settled child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
7. What does “aged parent” mean for visa 804?
It means the applicant must meet Australia’s age pension or retirement age requirement at the time of application.
8. How long does the 804 visas take to process?
Processing can take a very long time because the visa is subject to capping and queueing.
9. Do I need to meet health and character requirements?
Yes. You must pass the health requirement and provide police clearances for countries where you lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
10. Can I apply if I owe money to the Australian government?
Usually no, unless the debt is repaid or you have an approved arrangement to settle it.
Also Read: Bringing Parents to Australia: What You Need to Know Before Applying
