VEMVisa | Australian Parent Visa Guidance
A practical guide to the temporary Contributory Aged Parent pathway, onshore eligibility, paper lodgement and the later permanent subclass 864 stage.
The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa subclass 884 allows an eligible aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily for up to two years.
This is an onshore Parent visa. The main applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension, meet the Balance of Family test, have an eligible sponsor and be able to make a valid application while in Australia. An eligible holder can later apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa subclass 864.
Updated 24 July 2026: Temporary Contributory Parent visas, including subclass 884, continue to use a paper application. Parent visas are capped and queued. Charges, forms and queue dates can change, so check the official links before lodging or paying.
Quick answer: Subclass 884 is temporary and usually permits a stay of up to two years after grant. It cannot be renewed as another subclass 884. Eligible holders commonly plan the subclass 864 application before the temporary visa period ends.
Subclass 884 is the temporary onshore stage and can lead to the permanent subclass 864 visa.
What is a Subclass 884 Visa?
The subclass 884 visa is for an aged parent who is already in Australia. It allows the parent to remain temporarily, work and study, and later apply for the corresponding permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa if all subclass 864 requirements are met.
The visa is part of the capped and queued Parent visa program. It is not a visitor visa and it is not permanent residence. The application requires sponsorship, family-link evidence, health and character assessment and significant government charges. [Official subclass 884 page]
Onshore pathway
The main applicant must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted.
Temporary visa
The visa permits a stay of up to two years and cannot be extended or renewed.
Two-stage option
Eligible holders may later apply for permanent subclass 864 and spread the contributory cost across two visa stages.
Subclass 884 Visa Benefits and Limits
| Area |
Benefit |
Limit |
| Stay |
Live in Australia temporarily for up to two years. |
The visa is not permanent and cannot be renewed. |
| Work and study |
Work and study while the subclass 884 visa is valid. |
Government financial support for study is not automatic. |
| Medicare |
A valid holder may be eligible to enrol under a Ministerial Order. |
Services Australia must confirm enrolment eligibility. |
| Permanent pathway |
Apply for subclass 864 if eligible. |
Subclass 864 has a separate application, charge and assessment. |
884 Visa Requirements
Eligibility depends on the applicant’s age, children, sponsor, visa history and ability to make a valid onshore application.
- Age: The main applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian Age Pension, based on date of birth.
- Eligible child: The applicant must have a settled child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Sponsor: An eligible sponsor normally completes Form 40 and accepts the relevant sponsorship obligations.
- Balance of Family test: At least half of the applicant’s counted children must live permanently in Australia, or more counted children must live in Australia than in any other single country.
- Location: The main applicant must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying and when the visa is granted.
- Health and character: Applicants and relevant family members must meet the applicable requirements.
- Visa history: Current visa conditions, prior refusals or cancellations and any existing Parent visa application can affect validity.
Check before lodging: A No Further Stay condition or certain refusal and cancellation histories can prevent an onshore application. A visitor visa does not automatically make a person eligible for subclass 884.
The evidence should establish age, family links, sponsorship, onshore status, health and character.
How to Apply for a Subclass 884 Visa
Temporary Contributory Parent applications must continue to be lodged on paper. Do not attempt to start a new subclass 884 application in ImmiAccount.
Step 1. Confirm onshore eligibility
Check age, sponsor, Balance of Family, visa conditions and prior immigration history.
Step 2. Complete the application and sponsorship forms
The applicant generally completes Form 47PA. The sponsor completes Form 40.
Step 3. Prepare certified documents
Organise identity, relationship, child-residence, sponsor, current visa, health and character records.
Step 4. Pay the first instalment
Follow the current Home Affairs payment instructions and retain the receipt.
Step 5. Lodge the paper application
Send the complete application to the address stated in the current Home Affairs instructions. Keep a full scanned copy and delivery evidence.
Step 6. Monitor the application and queue
Home Affairs first checks the core criteria. An eligible application is later assigned a queue date.
Step 7. Pay the second instalment when requested
The second Visa Application Charge is paid later in the process, before visa grant.
Bridging visa: A valid onshore application may result in a bridging visa. Do not assume the start date, work rights or travel rights. Check the actual bridging visa grant notice. A Bridging Visa A generally does not allow a person to leave Australia and return.
Subclass 884 Document Checklist
Applicant documents
- Passport and birth certificate
- Name-change and relationship records
- Current visa and Australian address evidence
Children and family test
- Birth, adoption and stepchild records
- Australian status of eligible children
- Residence evidence for children in each country
Sponsor documents
- Completed Form 40
- Australian status evidence
- Evidence the sponsor is settled in Australia
Health and character
- Police certificates when requested
- Health examinations
- Court, military or custody records if relevant
Assurance of Support: Form 40 states that an AoS is not mandatory for temporary Contributory Parent category visas such as subclass 884. An AoS can become relevant for the later permanent subclass 864 stage.
884 Visa Cost
From 1 July 2026, the official subclass 884 page lists the cost from AUD35,430 over two instalments for a single applicant. Additional-applicant charges and other costs may apply.
The first instalment is paid when the application is lodged. The larger second instalment is normally requested later, before grant. Medical examinations, police certificates, translations, certification, postage and professional fees are separate.
Check the live price: Visa charges are usually reviewed each year and the Visa Pricing Estimator may not show every later instalment. Use the current visa pricing table before paying.
884 Visa Processing Time
Home Affairs does not give a precise individual processing time for subclass 884 because Parent visa applications are capped and queued. The Department first assesses the core criteria, assigns an eligible application a queue date and later releases applications for final processing when program places are available.
| Milestone |
Published position at 31 May 2026 |
| New application acknowledgement |
Approximately four weeks |
| Subclass 884 queue assessment |
Applications lodged around April 2023 |
| Final processing release |
Contributory Parent applications queued up to November 2018 |
| New Contributory Parent estimate |
Approximately 15 years |
These dates are program-level indicators, not a personal decision date. Check the official Parent visa queue release page for updates.
Can a Subclass 884 Holder Access Medicare?
A holder of a valid subclass 884 visa may be able to enrol in Medicare under a Ministerial Order. Services Australia includes subclasses 173, 143, 884 and 864 in its Contributory Parent visa category.
Enrolment is not automatic. The applicant must live in Australia and provide current identity and visa evidence. Applications can be made online through myGov or with a Medicare enrolment form. [Services Australia Medicare guidance]
Important: Do not state that every subclass 884 applicant or bridging visa holder automatically has Medicare. Services Australia must confirm the person’s current eligibility.
Do You Need an 884 Visa Lawyer?
You are not required to appoint an 884 visa lawyer or registered migration agent. Professional assistance may be useful when there is a No Further Stay condition, a prior refusal or cancellation, uncertainty about which children count in the Balance of Family test, an existing Parent visa application or a complex subclass 884 to 864 strategy.
Paid immigration assistance must be provided by a registered migration agent, an Australian legal practitioner or another person authorised under Australian law. Before appointing an 884 visa lawyer, check the lawyer’s current Australian practising certificate. Before appointing a migration agent, check the OMARA register.
Read the Home Affairs guidance on who can provide immigration assistance.
Planning an Onshore Parent Visa Application?
A useful assessment checks current visa conditions, every child counted in the Balance of Family test, sponsor evidence, the paper application and the later subclass 864 plan before lodgement. No representative can guarantee a visa grant or a shorter queue.
Request a consultation
Subclass 884 Visa FAQs
How long is a subclass 884 visa valid?
It permits a stay of up to two years. Check the grant letter and VEVO for the exact dates and conditions.
Can I extend or renew subclass 884?
No. The visa cannot be extended or renewed. An eligible holder may apply for subclass 864.
Is the 884 visa application online?
No. Temporary Contributory Parent applications must continue to be lodged on paper.
Does subclass 884 require an Assurance of Support?
Form 40 excludes temporary Contributory Parent category visas from the mandatory AoS requirement. AoS can apply at the later permanent subclass 864 stage.
Can a subclass 884 holder enrol in Medicare?
A valid holder may be eligible under a Ministerial Order. Services Australia must approve the enrolment.
Will I automatically receive a Bridging Visa A?
Do not assume this. Check whether the application was valid and read the actual bridging visa grant notice for its start date and conditions.
How should I choose an 884 visa lawyer?
Check the person’s Australian legal practising certificate, Parent visa experience, written scope and fee agreement. For a registered migration agent, verify the MARN on the OMARA register.
Official sources and related VEM guides
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