Subclass 864 Visa: Australian Contributory Aged Parent Visa
VEMVisa | Australian Parent Visa Guidance
A practical guide to the onshore Contributory Aged Parent pathway, eligibility, queueing, Bridging Visa arrangements and Medicare access.
The Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) is a permanent Parent visa for an eligible aged parent who applies in Australia. It may suit parents of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who meet the age, sponsorship and balance-of-family requirements.
Subclass 864 is contributory, so it has a substantially higher visa charge than the non-contributory Aged Parent visa subclass 804. It is still subject to annual caps and a queue. Before choosing a pathway, compare the cost, expected waiting period, your current visa conditions, travel needs and access to healthcare.
Reviewed 22 July 2026: Home Affairs currently lists the subclass 864 cost from AUD49,900 for one standard single applicant, paid in two instalments. It estimates about 15 years for new Contributory Parent applications and updates queue milestones separately. These figures can change and are not a guarantee for an individual application.
The subclass 864 visa offers permanent residence, but families should plan carefully for its cost, queue and onshore visa arrangements.
What is a Subclass 864 visa?
The Contributory Aged Parent visa is an onshore permanent visa. The applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension and must usually be sponsored by an eligible settled child. The applicant and included family members must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying. Home Affairs also requires the applicant to be in Australia when the visa decision is made.
The direct 864 route is one of several Australian Parent visa options. An applicant can also consider the temporary Contributory Aged Parent visa subclass 884 followed by subclass 864. The two-stage route spreads visa charges across two applications, but its combined cost is higher than applying directly for subclass 864.
Direct permanent pathway
Apply directly for subclass 864 and pay the visa charge in two instalments. The application remains subject to capping, queueing and final assessment.
Two-stage 884 to 864 pathway
Apply first for the temporary subclass 884, then apply for subclass 864 before the 884 expires. This can spread costs over a longer period.
Benefits of the Contributory Aged Parent visa 864
Benefit
What it means
Permanent residence
Live in Australia indefinitely from the visa grant date.
Work and study
Work and study in Australia as a permanent visa holder.
Medicare
Enrol in Medicare after the Parent visa is granted, subject to Services Australia requirements. Eligibility while waiting is explained in the Bridging Visa and Medicare section below.
Family sponsorship
Sponsor eligible family members later, subject to the rules for the visa they seek.
Travel facility
Travel to and from Australia for five years from grant while the travel facility remains valid. After that, read VEM’s Resident Return Visa guide.
Permanent residence does not mean immediate access to every payment. Newly arrived resident waiting periods and the ten-year Assurance of Support can affect access to certain government benefits. Check Services Australia before relying on a payment.
864 vs 804, 884 and 143 Parent visas
The best Parent visa depends on the applicant’s age, location, budget and whether the family wants a direct permanent application or a two-stage route. The table is a planning overview, not an eligibility decision.
Visa
Apply from
Outcome
Main planning point
864 Contributory Aged Parent
In Australia
Permanent
Higher contributory cost; subject to capping and queueing.
Allows a 3- or 5-year stay, up to 10 years in total; it is not permanent residence and affects eligibility to lodge 864.
Subclass 864 visa requirements
Eligibility should be checked before paying a high visa charge. The Department assesses the applicant, sponsor, family composition, immigration history and supporting evidence as a whole.
Applicant requirements
Be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension.
Be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying and when Home Affairs decides the application.
Pass the balance-of-family test, unless a specific exception applies to the pathway.
Meet health and character requirements.
Have repaid Australian Government debts or have an approved repayment arrangement.
Usually be sponsored by an eligible settled child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
If the child is under 18, an eligible relative, the child’s partner or an approved community organisation may be able to sponsor.
Home Affairs must approve the sponsorship.
The applicant must be able to obtain a mandatory Assurance of Support when requested, unless an applicable retiree exemption applies.
The sponsor does not necessarily have to be the assurer; another eligible person, joint assurers or an organisation may provide the AoS.
Balance-of-family test
You pass 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. Home Affairs states that the test cannot be waived, even in compelling or exceptional circumstances. Children on temporary visas are not treated as eligible children for this test.
The core checks include age, an approved sponsor, the balance-of-family test, onshore status, health, character and Assurance of Support.
864 visa document checklist
The exact document list appears in the official visa instructions and ImmiAccount. Use this checklist to organise the file, then tailor it to the applicant’s family history and visa situation.
Document group
Examples to prepare
Identity and civil status
Passport biodata pages, national identity documents, birth certificates, marriage or divorce certificates and evidence of name changes.
Relationship to each child
Birth certificates, adoption records, court orders and other documents showing the legal parent-child relationship.
Balance-of-family evidence
Evidence of each child’s citizenship, permanent residence and usual country of residence; evidence explaining why a child should not be counted, where applicable.
Sponsorship
Sponsor identity and status evidence, proof the sponsor is settled in Australia and completed sponsorship information, including Form 40 where required.
Current visa position
Current visa grant notice, VEVO details, passport validity and information about any prior refusals, cancellations or unlawful status.
Included family members
Identity, relationship and dependency evidence for any partner or dependent child included in the application.
Later-stage documents
Health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, Assurance of Support and second-instalment payment when Home Affairs requests them.
Translations
English translations for every non-English document, following the translator details and certification instructions that apply to the application.
A well-organised checklist reduces avoidable requests, but it cannot fix an eligibility problem. Inconsistent family records, missing children from the family composition, incorrect residence evidence or unresolved visa-history issues can lead to delay or visa refusal.
How to apply for a subclass 864 visa
For applications lodged on or after 22 April 2026, Home Affairs directs subclass 864 applicants to apply online through ImmiAccount. Read VEM’s ImmiAccount Australia guide before creating, attaching or sharing an application. The sequence below is a practical overview.
Step 1
Check the pathway
Confirm age, location, sponsor, balance of family, current visa conditions and whether direct 864 or 884-to-864 is more suitable.
Step 2
Build the evidence file
Prepare applicant, sponsor, family-composition and balance-of-family documents, plus translations.
Step 3
Lodge in ImmiAccount
Complete the online application, attach documents and pay the first instalment. Keep the submission and payment records.
Step 4
Manage the waiting period
Monitor ImmiAccount, keep contact and passport details current, maintain lawful status and plan travel before leaving Australia.
Step 5
Complete final requests
Complete the online application, attach documents and pay the first instalment. Keep the submission and payment records, and use VEM’s visa-status guide to understand the difference between ImmiAccount updates and VEVO.
A subclass 864 application moves from eligibility and online lodgement to queueing, final requests and a visa decision.
864 visa processing time: current queue information
The 864 visa processing time is not a standard service period such as “90% decided within a set number of months”. Parent visas are capped and queued. Home Affairs first assesses whether the application meets the core criteria for placement in the queue, then releases queued cases for final assessment when places become available.
As at 31 May 2026, Home Affairs reported that subclass 864 queue assessments had reached applications lodged in April 2023 and that Contributory Aged Parent cases with queue dates up to November 2018 had been released for final assessment. For new Contributory Parent applications, the Department’s current estimate is approximately 15 years.
Why search results differ: Pages answering “visa 864 processing time” may still quote 10 or 12 years. Use the current Parent visa queue page instead of relying on an old article or an individual case. The 15-year figure is an estimate for new Contributory Parent applications, not a promised decision date.
Timing can change with migration-program places, application volumes, withdrawals, refusals, review outcomes and policy directions. A complete application can reduce avoidable document delays, but it does not remove the statutory cap or move a case ahead of its queue position. For broader context on Department estimates, see VEM’s Australia visa processing-times guide.
864 visa, Bridging Visa and Medicare: plan them separately
The keywords “864 visa bridging visa medicare” are often searched together, but they are three different legal and administrative issues. Lodging a valid subclass 864 application may lead to a Bridging Visa, while Medicare eligibility follows separate Services Australia rules.
Bridging Visa while waiting
Home Affairs says it is likely to grant a Bridging Visa when a valid 864 application is made in Australia. The Bridging Visa normally starts only after the current substantive visa ceases.
A Parent visa applicant does not automatically qualify for Medicare simply because a permanent Parent visa application is pending. The Parent Visa Australia overview compares which parent pathways commonly provide a bridging visa.
Services Australia says a subclass 864 applicant may be eligible before grant if they are covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, or if they previously held a temporary subclass 884 visa. Otherwise, Medicare enrolment generally begins after the Parent visa is granted.
Travel warning: A Bridging Visa A does not provide a right to leave and return to Australia. Apply for and obtain a Bridging Visa B before departure if you need to travel and return while the 864 application is pending. The BVB travel period is set in the grant notice; it is not automatically three months.
Subclass 864 visa cost and Assurance of Support
From 1 July 2026, Home Affairs lists the direct subclass 864 visa cost from AUD49,900 for a single applicant. The charge is paid in two instalments: the first when applying and the second only when Home Affairs requests it before grant. Additional applicant charges, health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, translations and professional fees may apply.
A separate lower visa-cost arrangement may apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders who lodge a valid application from 1 July 2026. Confirm the amount through the official visa page and pricing tools immediately before payment.
Cost item
Planning note
Visa application charge
From AUD49,900 for one direct 864 applicant, paid over two instalments.
Assurance of Support period
Ten years for a Contributory Parent or Contributory Aged Parent visa.
Individual assurer bank guarantee
Services Australia currently lists AUD10,000 for one adult or AUD14,000 for two adults for a ten-year AoS.
Other costs
Medical checks, police certificates, translations, biometrics, travel, insurance and professional assistance.
Do not arrange the bank guarantee early. Services Australia will write to the assurer when it is time to establish the required Commonwealth Bank guarantee and term deposit. The AoS is a legal commitment, and recoverable income-support payments may need to be repaid by the assurer during the support period.
Do you need an 864 parent visa lawyer?
People searching for an 864 parent visa lawyer may need either immigration assistance from a registered migration agent or legal advice from an Australian legal practitioner. Home Affairs says paid immigration assistance can generally be provided by a registered migration agent, an Australian legal practitioner or an exempt person. VEM’s Australian immigration agency guide explains how to verify professional registration and the difference between agents and lawyers.
Professional review may be useful where the balance-of-family test is unclear, family records conflict, a current visa has restrictive conditions, the applicant has a refusal or cancellation history, family members may be included, or the direct 864 and 884-to-864 routes need to be compared. VEM’s registered migration agent profile explains the migration assistance available.
Plan the 864 application before paying the first instalment
Bring the applicant’s passport and current visa, a complete list of children and stepchildren, evidence of each child’s status and residence, sponsor details, family-member information and any past visa decisions. These facts determine whether the pathway is valid and how the evidence should be organised.
Yes. Subclass 864 is a permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa. Permanent residence begins on the date Home Affairs grants the visa.
Can I apply for an 864 visa from outside Australia?
No. The applicant and included family members must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying. The applicant must also be in Australia when Home Affairs makes the decision.
How long is the 864 visa processing time?
Home Affairs currently estimates about 15 years for new Contributory Parent applications. The individual timeframe can differ because subclass 864 is capped and queued, so check the latest queue-assessment and queue-release dates.
Will I receive a Bridging Visa after lodging subclass 864?
Home Affairs says it is likely to grant a Bridging Visa for a valid onshore application. Your current substantive visa normally remains in effect until it ceases. Check the Bridging Visa grant notice and VEVO for its start date and conditions.
Can a subclass 864 applicant use Medicare while waiting?
Not automatically. Before grant, eligibility may exist through a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement or because the applicant previously held subclass 884. Otherwise, a Parent visa applicant can generally enrol once the Parent visa is granted.
Can I travel while the 864 application is pending?
Only with a valid visa that permits return. An in-effect Bridging Visa A ceases when you depart and does not allow re-entry. Obtain a Bridging Visa B before leaving if you need to return during the processing period.
Does the sponsor have to provide the Assurance of Support?
Not necessarily. The assurer can be an eligible individual, joint assurers or an organisation. The person or organisation must meet Services Australia requirements and provide the mandatory bank guarantee when requested.
Can family members be included in the 864 application?
Eligible family members may be included, subject to the family-unit and dependency rules. All family members must be declared, including non-migrating family members, and health or character checks may apply.
Related Parent visa and application guides
Use these VEM guides to compare the 864 pathway with other Parent visas and plan the online application, lawful stay, travel and permanent-resident obligations.
Mr. Phong Cao is a licensed migration agent by MARA (MARN: 1577877). He is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), one of the most reputable organizations in the field of immigration in Australia. In addition, Mr. Phong Cao holds a QEAC certification in study abroad consulting (QEAC: K580) and Australian real estate investment (RA85931). With over 12 years of experience in Australian immigration, he provides comprehensive solutions for studying and settling in Australia.
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4 thoughts on “Subclass 864 Visa: Australian Contributory Aged Parent Visa”
Mohammad Zahangir Kabir says:
My all the three kids are in Australia:
Kazi Emon Mehdi, Elder Son, Australian Citizen living in Melbourne
Kazi Sajid Kabir, Younger Son, Australian Permanent Resident living in Sydney
Qazi Jafrin Kabir, Daughter, Studying in Melbourne, Australian
Mohammad Zahangir Kabir (Father)
Being my elder son Australian citizen, I availed
VISITOR (Class FA) VISITOR (Subclass 600) Visas
No. 1590110127060L
No.1060112667488G
No. 2189574171329
No. 1069585253697
Shahina Sultana (Mother)
Availed
VISITOR (Class FA) VISITOR (Subclass 600) Visas
Grant Number: 1060112673997Z
Grant Number: 1069585254741
There was no case of our visa refusal for Australia.
I hold a PhD in Journalism and am a Retired Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, worked in Bangladesh and SAARC Countries. At present I myself and my wife are living in Sydney, Australia.
We want to apply for Contributory Parent Visa so as to settle in Australia. I am wandering, which category Contributory Parent Visa will be suitable for us ! After lodging our Visa Application, we want to do some work in Australia till grant of our Visa.
By August 2023 I will be qualified to apply aged contributory visa 864. As per your information subclass 864 has to apple onshore. After lodging the application can I still travel in and out of Australia.
Alternatively can I apply subclass 143 even I am at pension age as I prefer to Apply offshore
Basically I prefer to apply offshore despite my age is qualified for age parent subclass 864.
As long as after lodging the application I can travel in and outside Australia is ideal now
my mum is 67 years old, shall I apply 143 or 864 for her ? are both has same process time ? friend of mine said 864 is quicker than 143. Is it correct ? For 864, does my mum need to stay in Australia all the time while the application is being processed ?
I am 65 years old and my wife is 64 years old. What type of vusa fir us to permanently stay in Australia? Half of my children are Australian PR/Citizen.
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cập nhật:
My all the three kids are in Australia:
Kazi Emon Mehdi, Elder Son, Australian Citizen living in Melbourne
Kazi Sajid Kabir, Younger Son, Australian Permanent Resident living in Sydney
Qazi Jafrin Kabir, Daughter, Studying in Melbourne, Australian
Mohammad Zahangir Kabir (Father)
Being my elder son Australian citizen, I availed
VISITOR (Class FA) VISITOR (Subclass 600) Visas
No. 1590110127060L
No.1060112667488G
No. 2189574171329
No. 1069585253697
Shahina Sultana (Mother)
Availed
VISITOR (Class FA) VISITOR (Subclass 600) Visas
Grant Number: 1060112673997Z
Grant Number: 1069585254741
There was no case of our visa refusal for Australia.
I hold a PhD in Journalism and am a Retired Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, worked in Bangladesh and SAARC Countries. At present I myself and my wife are living in Sydney, Australia.
We want to apply for Contributory Parent Visa so as to settle in Australia. I am wandering, which category Contributory Parent Visa will be suitable for us ! After lodging our Visa Application, we want to do some work in Australia till grant of our Visa.
Kindly let me know.
By August 2023 I will be qualified to apply aged contributory visa 864. As per your information subclass 864 has to apple onshore. After lodging the application can I still travel in and out of Australia.
Alternatively can I apply subclass 143 even I am at pension age as I prefer to Apply offshore
Basically I prefer to apply offshore despite my age is qualified for age parent subclass 864.
As long as after lodging the application I can travel in and outside Australia is ideal now
my mum is 67 years old, shall I apply 143 or 864 for her ? are both has same process time ? friend of mine said 864 is quicker than 143. Is it correct ? For 864, does my mum need to stay in Australia all the time while the application is being processed ?
I am 65 years old and my wife is 64 years old. What type of vusa fir us to permanently stay in Australia? Half of my children are Australian PR/Citizen.