Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 pathway for eligible parents considering family migration options in Australia.
Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 pathway for eligible parents considering family migration options in Australia.

Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a permanent visa for an older parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is in Australia and wants to remain with family long term. 

Applicants must meet specific age, sponsorship and family-link requirements, while the pathway is also subject to lengthy capping and queueing arrangements. Visa Route Migration can provide professional assistance according to your circumstances and needs.

Clear, Personalised Professional Support

Why Choose Us for Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)

Visa Route Migration is led by Registered Migration Agent Rose Khangura. Rose holds a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law & Practice from Victoria University and has two years of confirmed experience in migration and visa services, including work with visa files, documentation and application preparation.

Subclass 804 applications involve more than completing a form. The onshore application requirements, Balance of Family test, sponsorship, long queue and the applicant’s current immigration circumstances all need careful consideration. Rose’s approach focuses on understandable explanations, individual circumstances, transparency and realistic discussion of both opportunities and limitations.

Professional assistance can also be matched to the help you actually need. Depending on the matter and agreed engagement, Visa Route Migration can provide a formal assessment, document or application review, assistance with a particular stage, or broader application support rather than requiring every client to use the same service scope.

How We Can Assist

Support may focus on a particular question or review, or extend to broader application assistance where agreed. These service components may form part of a Subclass 804 engagement depending on your circumstances and the professional scope required.

Eligibility Assessment

Document Review

Application Assistance

Evidence Support

Assessing Subclass 804 Suitability

A formal assessment can help determine how the Subclass 804 requirements interact with your individual circumstances. Relevant considerations may include your age, your child’s status and settlement in Australia, sponsorship, the Balance of Family test, your location when applying, health and character requirements, immigration history and your ability to obtain an Assurance of Support.

Your current Australian visa position can also be important. Subclass 804 is an onshore pathway, but being physically present in Australia does not automatically mean a valid application can be made. Existing visa conditions, previous refusals or cancellations and other immigration circumstances may affect what options are available.

A detailed eligibility or visa-options assessment is separate from the free initial consultation and normally forms part of a formal professional engagement. Visa Route Migration can first discuss the general nature of your enquiry and then identify when more detailed assessment may be appropriate.

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Aged Parent Visa 804 Questions

Who Can Apply for a Subclass 804 Visa?

The main applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension and have an eligible sponsor, usually an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Applicants must also meet requirements including the Balance of Family test, health and character criteria, and generally an Assurance of Support. Individual eligibility depends on the complete circumstances.

Do I Need to Be in Australia to Apply?

Yes. Home Affairs states that the applicant and family members applying with them must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when the Subclass 804 application is made and when the visa decision is made. Applications lodged on or after 22 April 2026 must generally be submitted online through ImmiAccount.

What Is the Balance of Family Test?

You meet the Balance of Family test if at least half of your children and stepchildren are eligible children, or if more eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country. Evidence about your children, their relationship to you and their citizenship or residence may be required. The test is a legal requirement and cannot simply be waived because of compassionate circumstances.

How Long Does the Subclass 804 Take?

Processing is exceptionally lengthy because Parent visas are capped and queued. Home Affairs currently estimates approximately 33 years for new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications. This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed timeframe and can change with migration program places, application numbers, refusals, withdrawals and processing directions.

Can I Stay in Australia While Waiting?

Home Affairs states that when a Subclass 804 application is made in Australia, the applicant is likely to be granted a bridging visa that can commence after their current visa expires. Applicants still need to remain lawful, and the conditions applying to any bridging visa should be checked carefully. Cancelling an existing visa can create serious immigration consequences.

Can I Travel While the Application Is Processing?

Travel needs careful planning. You must be in Australia when Home Affairs makes its decision on a Subclass 804 application, and leaving Australia does not automatically give you a right to return. Your current or bridging visa and its travel conditions should be checked before making travel arrangements.

How Much Does the Aged Parent Visa 804 Cost?

As of August 2026, Home Affairs lists the visa application charge from AUD 8,665 for a single applicant, paid in two instalments. Additional charges can apply for family members, and there may also be costs for matters such as health examinations, police certificates and biometrics. Government charges can change, so current pricing should be checked before applying.

What Is an Assurance of Support?

An Assurance of Support is a commitment designed to reduce the likelihood that the visa applicant will need to rely on certain Australian Government assistance during the relevant assurance period. Home Affairs will advise when it is required. The assurer does not necessarily have to be the visa sponsor or another family member. A specific retirement-pathway exception may apply.

Can Family Members Be Included?

Eligible members of the family unit may be included in a Subclass 804 application. Home Affairs also requires information about family members even when they are not migrating, and health or character requirements may apply to family members depending on their circumstances. Careful evidence may be needed where an adult dependent child is included.

What If My Visa Has a No Further Stay Condition?

A No Further Stay condition can prevent a person from making an onshore Aged Parent visa application. A waiver may only be relevant in circumstances permitted by the migration rules, so it should not be assumed that a waiver will be available. Your current visa conditions should be checked before attempting to lodge a Subclass 804 application.

How Does 804 Differ From Contributory Aged Parent Visas?

Subclass 804 is a permanent Aged Parent pathway with a substantially lower government application charge but a much longer estimated processing period. Contributory Aged Parent pathways, including subclasses 864 and 884, involve significantly higher charges and are currently estimated to process faster. Those pathways have their own requirements and should be considered separately where relevant.

Can I Get Help With Only Part of My Application?

Yes. Visa Route Migration can provide limited-scope professional assistance where appropriate, including document or application review or help with a particular stage. Broader application assistance may also be available where agreed. The appropriate scope depends on your circumstances, what work has already been completed and what professional assistance is required.

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Discuss Your Subclass 804 Options

If you are considering an Aged Parent Visa and want to understand what may be relevant to your circumstances, complete the enquiry form to book a free initial consultation with Visa Route Migration. The initial discussion can help identify the nature of your enquiry, what assistance you are looking for and possible next steps. Where detailed eligibility advice or assessment is required, a formal professional engagement may be appropriate.

Reviewing Your Documents and Application

Some applicants prepare much of their own material but want professional assistance before proceeding. Visa Route Migration can provide document or application review as a limited-scope service where appropriate, allowing the engagement to focus on the material or stage for which you need assistance rather than automatically covering the entire application.

For a Subclass 804 matter, a review may involve considering how the material you have prepared addresses relevant requirements and whether further information should be investigated or organised before proceeding. Professional review does not guarantee that an application satisfies every requirement or will be granted, particularly where further assessment or evidence is required.

Preparing and Lodging the Application

Where broader assistance is agreed, Visa Route Migration can assist with application preparation and lodgement as part of the professional engagement. Current Home Affairs arrangements require new Subclass 804 applications lodged on or after 22 April 2026 to be submitted online through ImmiAccount.

Preparation may involve bringing together applicant information, sponsor material and supporting documents relevant to the visa requirements. An eligible sponsor is required, and Home Affairs currently requires sponsor information as part of the application process. Care is also needed to provide accurate information about family relationships and the circumstances relevant to the Balance of Family test.

After an application is lodged, the Subclass 804 pathway operates through an initial assessment and queue before final assessment when a place becomes available. Because the waiting period can be very long, applicants also need to remain aware of their current visa status and notify Home Affairs of relevant changes while the application remains undecided.

Organising Supporting Evidence

Supporting evidence can be a significant part of an Aged Parent Visa application. Depending on the circumstances, this may include identity and relationship evidence, information about children relevant to the Balance of Family test, sponsor documents and evidence concerning any family members included in the application. Home Affairs may later request health, character, Assurance of Support or other information.

Visa Route Migration may assist with organising supporting evidence and responding to requests for further information where this forms part of the agreed professional scope. With a visa that can remain in the queue for many years, it is also important to keep relevant details current and notify Home Affairs when information such as contact details, passports, relationships or family composition changes.

Before You Proceed With Subclass 804

Key points to confirm before deciding whether to pursue this visa pathway.
Consideration What to Confirm Why It Matters
Applicant Location In Australia at lodgement and decision Subclass 804 is an onshore pathway
Age Requirement Old enough for Australian Age Pension Applies to the main applicant
Sponsorship Eligible sponsor, usually your settled child Sponsorship is a visa requirement
Family Test Balance of Family test can be met Your children’s circumstances are assessed
Current Visa Check conditions such as No Further Stay Conditions may affect onshore lodgement
Processing Outlook Approximately 33 years for new applications Parent visas are capped and queued
Assurance of Support Whether Home Affairs requires one May be required before visa grant
Health and Character Applicable requirements can be met They form part of visa assessment

What to Have Ready for a Subclass 804 Discussion

These details can help focus the initial conversation and identify whether a more detailed assessment or professional engagement may be appropriate.

  1. Your Age and Current Location

    Be ready to explain the main applicant’s age and where they are currently located. Subclass 804 is an onshore pathway, and the main applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension.

  2. Current Visa and Immigration History

    Share the visa you currently hold and any relevant conditions, expiry concerns, previous refusals or cancellations. Being in Australia does not automatically mean a valid Subclass 804 application can be made.

  3. Proposed Sponsor Details

    Be ready to discuss the proposed sponsor’s relationship to the applicant, Australian status and settlement in Australia. An eligible sponsor is required, usually an eligible settled child.

  4. Your Children and Stepchildren

    Accurate details about children and stepchildren, including where they live and their citizenship or residence, may be important when considering the Balance of Family test.

  5. Family Members in the Application

    Identify any eligible family members you may want to include. Home Affairs can also require information about family members who are not migrating, and health or character requirements may apply depending on their circumstances.

  6. The Help You Actually Need

    Explain what you have already prepared and whether you want a visa-options assessment, document or application review, help with a particular stage or broader assistance. The professional scope can be agreed around the matter and your needs.

Know What to Expect

Free Initial Consultation or Detailed Subclass 804 Assessment?

The first conversation is designed to understand your Aged Parent Visa enquiry and identify possible next steps. Detailed professional assessment or advice may require a formal engagement.

First Step

What the Free Initial Consultation Is For

For a Subclass 804 enquiry, the initial discussion gives Visa Route Migration an opportunity to understand the general nature of your circumstances and the assistance you are looking for.

  • Understand your circumstances and general migration enquiry.
  • Identify what you are seeking professional help with.
  • Consider whether Visa Route Migration may be able to assist.
  • Discuss general potential pathways where appropriate.
  • Identify possible next steps.
When More Detail Is Needed

What May Require Formal Professional Engagement

A free initial consultation does not automatically include a comprehensive professional assessment. More detailed work may be appropriate where your Subclass 804 circumstances require closer professional consideration.

  • Comprehensive professional assessment.
  • Complete eligibility assessment.
  • Detailed migration strategy or risk assessment.
  • Detailed application advice.
  • Extensive legal analysis.
  • Full visa-options assessment.

Your Role During the Matter

Your Responsibilities During a Subclass 804 Matter

If Visa Route Migration is engaged to assist with your Subclass 804 matter, your participation remains important throughout the agreed professional work. Rose expects clients to provide complete, truthful and accurate information and to cooperate with requests relevant to their matter.

Keep Information Accurate and Complete

The information used in a migration matter needs to reflect the circumstances you provide to Visa Route Migration.

  • Provide complete information relevant to your matter.
  • Make sure the information you provide is truthful and accurate.
  • Review information and documents carefully when asked to do so.

Respond and Keep Rose Updated

A Subclass 804 matter may require further documents, information or evidence at different stages, depending on the circumstances and agreed professional scope.

  • Provide requested documents within required timeframes.
  • Cooperate with requests for additional information or evidence.
  • Promptly advise Rose if your circumstances change.