Family Visa Pathway
Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 is a permanent parent visa for eligible aged parents who are in Australia and have a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen child.
This visa may be suitable for families seeking a permanent parent visa pathway where the parent is old enough to meet the aged parent requirement and can apply from within Australia.
- Permanent parent visa pathway
- For eligible aged parents in Australia
- Balance of Family Test generally applies
- Assurance of Support may be required
- Higher contributory visa charges may apply
Stage 1
What is the Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864?
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 is a permanent visa that allows eligible aged parents to live in Australia permanently if they meet the relevant family, sponsorship, age, health, character and visa requirements.
This visa is part of Australia’s family migration program. It is called a “contributory” aged parent visa because it generally involves higher visa application charges than non-contributory aged parent pathways. In return, contributory parent visa pathways have historically been associated with shorter queues than non-contributory parent visas, although processing times can still be lengthy and may change over time.
The Subclass 864 visa is different from the Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 because Subclass 864 is an onshore aged parent visa. The applicant must generally be old enough to meet the aged parent requirement and must usually be in Australia when the application is lodged and when the visa is granted.
Stage 3
Application Process, Benefits & Common Issues
Contributory aged parent visa applications can involve significant planning, supporting documents, long-term costs and bridging visa considerations.
Application Process
- Assess aged parent visa eligibility and age requirement
- Review current visa status and whether an onshore application is possible
- Review sponsor eligibility and settlement in Australia
- Check the Balance of Family Test
- Prepare identity, relationship and family evidence
- Lodge the visa application with supporting documents
- Respond to Department requests
- Complete health and character checks if required
- Address Assurance of Support requirements if requested
Key Benefits
- Permanent residence in Australia
- Ability to live in Australia permanently
- Ability to work and study in Australia
- Potential access to Medicare, subject to eligibility
- Travel facility attached to the permanent visa
- Potential pathway to Australian citizenship, subject to eligibility
- Onshore pathway for eligible aged parents
Common Challenges
- The applicant does not meet the aged parent requirement
- The applicant holds a visa with a No Further Stay condition
- The Balance of Family Test is misunderstood or incorrectly calculated
- The sponsor may not meet eligibility or settlement requirements
- Family relationships are difficult to document
- Health, character or previous visa issues require careful review
- Assurance of Support requirements are not planned early enough
When Professional Advice May Help
Professional migration advice may be useful where the applicant is unsure about the aged parent requirement, current visa conditions, bridging visa consequences, the Balance of Family Test or sponsor eligibility.
Advice may also help families compare Subclass 864 with other parent visa pathways and understand cost, timing and documentation risks before proceeding.
Stage 5
Visa Charges & Processing Times
Visa application charges and processing times change regularly. Applicants should review the latest official information published by the Department of Home Affairs before lodging an application.
Stage 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864, aged parent eligibility, sponsorship, Balance of Family Test, Assurance of Support and related parent visa pathways.
Is the Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 a permanent visa?
Yes. The Subclass 864 visa is a permanent parent visa. If granted, it allows the visa holder to live in Australia permanently, subject to the conditions and travel facility attached to the visa.
Who can apply for a Subclass 864 visa?
The applicant generally needs to be an aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must also meet relevant visa, health, character, sponsorship and family requirements.
Do I need to be in Australia to apply for the Subclass 864 visa?
The Subclass 864 visa is an onshore aged parent visa. The applicant must generally be in Australia when the application is lodged and when the visa is granted.
What is the aged parent requirement for Subclass 864?
The primary applicant must be old enough to qualify as an aged parent under the relevant migration rules. This requirement should be checked carefully before lodging an application.
Does the Subclass 864 visa require the Balance of Family Test?
Yes. The Balance of Family Test generally applies to the Subclass 864 visa. It considers the number and location of the applicant’s children and whether a sufficient proportion are eligible children living in Australia.
Can the Balance of Family Test be waived?
The Balance of Family Test is a strict requirement and should not be assumed to be flexible. Families should assess this issue carefully before lodging a parent visa application.
Who can sponsor a Subclass 864 visa applicant?
The sponsor is usually the applicant’s child, who must generally be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and settled in Australia.
Does the Subclass 864 visa require an Assurance of Support?
An Assurance of Support may be required. This process may involve income requirements and a financial bond and should be planned early in the parent visa process.
What is the difference between Subclass 864 and Subclass 143?
Both visas are permanent contributory parent visas. The main practical difference is that Subclass 864 is an onshore aged parent visa, while Subclass 143 is generally used as a contributory parent visa pathway that does not require the same aged parent onshore framework.
What is the difference between Subclass 864 and Subclass 804?
Both are aged parent visas, but Subclass 864 is a contributory aged parent visa and usually involves higher visa charges. Subclass 804 is a non-contributory aged parent visa and may have significantly longer processing expectations.
Can I apply for Subclass 864 if my current visa has a No Further Stay condition?
A No Further Stay condition can prevent an applicant from lodging another visa application while in Australia unless the condition is waived. This issue should be reviewed before attempting to lodge a Subclass 864 application.
Can I get a bridging visa after applying for Subclass 864?
Because Subclass 864 is an onshore visa, a bridging visa may be relevant after a valid application is lodged. However, bridging visa conditions and timing depend on the applicant’s current visa and individual circumstances.
Are Subclass 864 visa fees and processing times fixed?
No. Visa application charges and processing times can change. Applicants should always check the latest official information published by the Department of Home Affairs before lodging an application.
Which parent visa is best for my family?
There is no single best parent visa. The most suitable option depends on age, location, family structure, current visa status, expected processing times, total costs and whether the applicant may be eligible for other parent visa pathways.
Next step
Get Advice About Your Family Visa Options
Family visa matters depend on the applicant, sponsor, family circumstances and supporting evidence. A consultation can help identify the appropriate pathway and the issues to address before lodgement.
