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Eligibility assessment including age pension age requirement.
Back to ServicesAged Parent
Aged Parent
Visa (Subclass 804)
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) allows eligible parents who are already in Australia and meet the Australian age pension age requirement to apply for permanent residency. This visa enables families to remain together while offering eligible applicants a pathway to permanent residence.
Our Australian registered migration agents assist with eligibility assessments, sponsorship requirements, the Balance of Family Test, Assurance of Support, bridging visa guidance, and complete Parent Visa applications for sponsors across Queensland, Australia, and worldwide.
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Parent
Family reunion
Subclass 804
Long-term
Aged Parent Visa
(Subclass 804) Overview
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a permanent visa designed for eligible aged parents who are already lawfully in Australia. Unlike offshore parent visas, this visa allows eligible applicants to remain in Australia while their application is being processed, subject to the conditions of any bridging visa granted. Successful applicants receive permanent residency with access to work, study, Medicare where eligible, and a future pathway to Australian citizenship.
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Eligibility Criteria for Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a permanent onshore parent visa for eligible aged parents already in Australia. Applicants generally must meet the Australian age pension age requirement, have an eligible settled child sponsor, pass the Balance of Family Test, and satisfy health, character, and legislative requirements.
- - Be in Australia when applying under the standard onshore aged parent pathway.
- - Meet the Australian age pension age requirement at the time of application.
- - Have an eligible child settled in Australia as an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- - Be sponsored by an eligible Australian child or another eligible sponsor where permitted.
- - Pass the Balance of Family Test under current migration law.
- - Meet health and character requirements at key decision points.
- - Satisfy all legislative requirements for the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804).
Application process
Application process for Subclass 804
Real Migration manages Subclass 804 with age eligibility diagnostics, sponsor and BoFT review, onshore lodgement planning, bridging visa guidance, and decision-ready case controls.
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Sponsor eligibility and settlement review.
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Balance of Family Test assessment with complete family records.
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Prepare supporting identity, civil status, and relationship evidence.
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Lodge the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) application in Australia.
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Bridging visa activation and compliance planning where applicable.
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Complete health and character assessments as required.
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Plan permanent settlement after visa grant.
Age Eligibility
Balance of Family Test
Onshore Lodgement
Bridging Visa
Health & Character
Planning and compliance
Aged Parent Visa Planning and Compliance
Plan timelines, costs, Balance of Family Test evidence, bridging visa compliance, and onshore lodgement strategy before filing — especially important given long queue times for non-contributory parent visas.
Indicative Timeline Module
- Eligibility review: age requirement, sponsor fit, and BoFT analysis.
- Document preparation: identity, civil status, relationship, and family composition evidence.
- Application lodgement: onshore filing and queue placement under current caps.
- Bridging visa activation where applicable and compliance planning.
- Department assessment: health, character, and information requests as required.
- Permanent visa grant when a place becomes available under program settings.
Cost Planning Module
Subclass 804 involves government visa application charges, health examinations, police certificates, document translations, and professional migration assistance. As a non-contributory onshore aged parent pathway, government charges are generally lower than contributory aged parent visas, but families should plan for long processing windows, bridging visa compliance, and ongoing document validity. We map expected costs before lodgement.
Request a Cost EstimateCompliance Guidance Module
Subclass 804 cases require Balance of Family Test review, sponsor obligations, document verification, Department communication, bridging visa compliance, and application monitoring throughout lengthy processing. We support families across Queensland, Australia, and offshore with complex family structures and onshore aged parent migration strategy.
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Why Families Trust Our Parent Visa Services
Aged Parent Visa specialists
804
Subclass 804 delivery model
Application review stages
10+
Evidence quality checkpoints
Compliance checkpoints
8
Structured case milestones
Migration compliance aligned
AU
Gov source aligned strategy
Documents
Aged Parent Visa Checklist
- Passport and identity documents for applicants and sponsors
- Birth certificates for applicants and relevant family members
- Relationship evidence between parent applicants and sponsor child
- Sponsor evidence including citizenship, permanent residence, or eligible NZ status
- Family composition documents for Balance of Family Test
- Evidence of meeting the Australian age pension age requirement
- Health examination results
- Police clearances and character documents
- Marriage, divorce, or death certificates where applicable
- Certified translations for non-English documents
Risk review
Common Refusal Risks for Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) Applications
- Failure to satisfy the Balance of Family Test.
- Applicant does not meet the Australian age pension age requirement.
- Ineligible or insufficiently settled sponsor.
- Incomplete supporting documents at lodgement or during processing.
- Health concerns not adequately addressed.
- Character concerns or incomplete police clearances.
- Incorrect or inconsistent information across forms.
- Failure to satisfy legislative requirements for the visa.
Our approach
Our Process: How We Assist With Aged Parent Visa Applications
01. Family pathway diagnosis
Sponsorship fit, family composition, and legal criteria reviewed first.
02. Evidence architecture
Family records, civil documents, and declarations aligned for consistency.
03. Lodgement quality gate
Forms and support files checked against refusal-risk points before filing.
04. Decision and family planning
Request handling plus staged progression support through decision outcomes.
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Contact UsFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
What is the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)?
The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is a permanent visa that allows eligible aged parents who are already in Australia to apply for permanent residency.
Who can apply for the Aged Parent Visa?
Applicants generally need to meet the Australian age pension age requirement, have an eligible sponsor, satisfy the Balance of Family Test, and meet all legislative requirements.
Can I remain in Australia while my application is being processed?
Eligible applicants who lodge a valid application may receive a Bridging Visa allowing them to remain lawfully in Australia while their application is processed.
What is the Balance of Family Test?
The Balance of Family Test assesses whether enough of the applicant's children permanently live in Australia to qualify for a parent visa.
Who can sponsor an Aged Parent Visa?
An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is usually settled in Australia may be able to sponsor the application.
Is the Aged Parent Visa a permanent visa?
Yes. Successful applicants become Australian permanent residents.
Can I work while holding a Bridging Visa?
Work rights depend on the conditions attached to the Bridging Visa and should be assessed individually.
Can I access Medicare?
Eligible applicants may be able to enrol in Medicare depending on their visa status and applicable legislation.
Can I become an Australian citizen?
Yes. Eligible permanent residents may later apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the legislative requirements.
Can a registered migration agent assist with an Aged Parent Visa application?
Yes. A registered migration agent can assist with eligibility assessments, sponsorship, the Balance of Family Test, bridging visa advice, and complete application management.
Top trending Subclass 804 questions
What is the difference between the 804 and 864 Parent Visa?
Subclass 804 is a non-contributory onshore aged parent visa with generally lower government charges but longer processing. Subclass 864 is the contributory aged parent equivalent with higher charges and typically faster outcomes.
Can I apply for an Aged Parent Visa while on a Visitor Visa?
Onshore lodgement requires lawful status and meeting eligibility criteria at application. Strategy should be assessed carefully before applying from a visitor or other temporary visa.
Do I get a Bridging Visa after applying for the 804 visa?
Many eligible applicants who lodge a valid onshore application may receive a bridging visa, but conditions and eligibility depend on individual circumstances.
How long does the Aged Parent Visa take?
Processing times are generally lengthy due to annual caps and queue placement, similar to other non-contributory parent visas. Families should plan for a multi-year process.
What is the Australian age pension age requirement?
Applicants must generally meet the age pension age under Australian social security law at the time of application. This threshold should be confirmed against current settings before lodgement.
Can I leave Australia while waiting for my 804 visa?
Travel while on a bridging visa can affect lawful status and return rights. Travel plans should be reviewed carefully with migration advice before departure.
Can my spouse be included in the application?
Yes, where your partner meets eligibility requirements and is included correctly in the application with consistent relationship evidence.
What happens if I fail the Balance of Family Test?
Most parent visas require BoFT satisfaction. If the test is not met, alternative pathways or strategies should be assessed case by case.
Is the Aged Parent Visa better than the Contributory Aged Parent Visa?
It depends on priorities. Subclass 804 suits families prioritising lower government charges; Subclass 864 suits those prioritising faster contributory processing.
Can I work while waiting for my Parent Visa?
Work rights during processing depend on bridging visa conditions. Each case should be assessed individually before assuming work permission.
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Ready to start your Subclass 804 strategy?
Book a consultation with Real Migration for family-pathway review, evidence preparation, and compliant parent visa lodgement. Call +61 414 996 546 or email info@realmigration.com.au.