Official sources referenced
Overview
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) allows aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia. This visa is specifically designed for those who meet the age requirement to receive the Australian age pension. With this visa, aged parents can reunite with their children in Australia, provided they satisfy certain eligibility criteria, including the balance-of-family test and assurance of support.
Visa Coverage for Aged Parents The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) offers a pathway for aged parents to reside permanently in Australia. This visa is available to those who have an eligible child who is either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen settled in Australia.
Important: Applicants must be old enough to qualify for the age pension in Australia and cannot have applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Family Reunification Opportunities
This visa facilitates family reunification by allowing aged parents to join their children who are settled in Australia. To be eligible, the applicant must pass the balance-of-family test, which generally requires that at least half of the applicant's children reside permanently in Australia.
Tip: Ensure you can provide an assurance of support, which is a legal commitment to provide financial support to the sponsored parent, to satisfy visa requirements. For those holding a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (subclass 884) visa, the subclass 864 visa can be part of a two-step process to achieve permanent residency more quickly.
Spouse and Partner Inclusion
Spouses or partners of the main applicant can be included in the Contributory Aged Parent Visa application. They must meet health and character requirements as set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Important: Ensure all documents for your spouse or partner, including proof of relationship such as a marriage certificate or evidence of a de facto relationship, are accurately prepared and submitted. This inclusion allows families to stay together in Australia, supporting the primary applicant in their new life.
What to Submit
#For the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864), you must provide several key documents to demonstrate your eligibility. This is key for aged parents wishing to settle permanently in Australia with their children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Providing accurate and complete documentation ensures a smoother application process and helps demonstrate your genuine relationship and financial ability to support yourself. Below are the main categories of documents you need to prepare.
Evidence of Genuine Relationship -
Certified copies of your birth certificate and those of your children to prove the parent-child relationship.
- Marriage certificate or documents supporting a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before application if applicable (F30).
- Evidence of your child’s Australian citizenship or permanent residency status (F17).
Tip: Ensure all documents are in English or translated by a certified translator to avoid delays (F32).
Sponsor Identification Documents -
Your sponsor's Australian citizenship certificate, permanent residency visa, or New Zealand citizenship evidence.
- Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia completed by your sponsor (F23).
- Certified copies of your sponsor’s passport pages showing their photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates (F22, F28).
Important: An accurate and complete Form 40 is essential for the sponsorship process, as it directly impacts the success of your application.
Financial Support Documentation -
Proof of financial ability to support yourself, such as bank statements or income evidence.
- Assurance of Support documents, which may be requested to ensure you will not become a burden on the Australian welfare system (F19).
Tip: Financial documents should demonstrate a stable and sufficient income or savings to support yourself without relying on public funds.
The Long-Term Path
#This pathway to permanent residency offers a viable option for parents who meet specific eligibility criteria.
Permanent Residency Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864), you must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia. Additionally, you need to have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. - Meet the balance-of-family test. - Obtain an assurance of support. - Satisfy health and character requirements. - Sign the Australian Values Statement if you are over 18.
Family Visa to Permanent Residency
The transition from a family visa to permanent residency involves meeting specific criteria and fulfilling administrative requirements. The subclass 864 visa offers a direct route to permanent residency for aged parents of Australian citizens or residents.
Tip: Consider the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 884) as a two-step process, which might be faster but incurs higher costs.
Steps to Achieve PR Status
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Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, including age and family relationship requirements.
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Gather necessary documents, such as proof of relationship and assurance of support.
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Lodge an application with the Department of Home Affairs.
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Await processing, noting that demand often exceeds available places, leading to lengthy processing times.
Important: Processing times for parent visas are lengthy due to high demand. Check the Parent Visa Queue for the most current information.
Cost and Wait Times
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) is a pathway for aged parents to join their settled children in Australia. This visa involves significant financial commitments, including application fees and assurance of support. Understanding the costs and expected processing times is key for planning your move to Australia. Here's what you need to know about the fees involved and how long you might wait for a decision.
Detailed Visa Fee Breakdown
The visa application charge for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) is high due to the direct pathway to permanent residency. The fees are divided into two installments.
| Fee Type | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| First Installment | A$4,425 |
| Second Installment | A$43,600 |
Important: Ensure you have the funds available for both installments as they are required at different stages of the application process.
Expected Processing Timeframes
Processing times for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa can be lengthy due to high demand. The Department of Home Affairs advises applicants to check the Parent visa queue for the most up-to-date information. Typically, you should be prepared for a wait time that can extend over several years. This timeframe is influenced by the number of applications and available spots each year.
Warning: The demand for Parent visas often exceeds availability, leading to extended processing times. Plan accordingly and stay informed by checking the Parent visa queue.
Sponsorship Fee Requirements
A sponsorship fee is not directly applicable for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa. However, an assurance of support is mandatory, which involves a financial bond. The assurance of support acts as a financial guarantee to cover any welfare costs and requires a bond of up to A$10,000 for the main applicant, with additional amounts for each accompanying family member.
Tip: The assurance of support bond is refunded after ten years if no claims are made on welfare benefits. Plan your finances to accommodate this upfront cost.
Conditions and Rights
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) allows aged parents to reside permanently in Australia alongside their settled children. This visa provides a pathway to live in Australia with access to various rights and responsibilities. Applicants must be old enough to qualify for the age pension in Australia and have an eligible child who is a settled citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Employment Rights for Visa Holders
Holders of the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) can enjoy the right to work in Australia. This visa does not impose restrictions on employment, allowing you to seek full-time, part-time, or casual work. - No work restrictions
- Eligible for full-time and part-time employment
- Access to Australian workplace rights
Important: Ensure compliance with Australian workplace laws and regulations to protect your employment rights.
Residency Compliance Conditions
As a permanent resident, you must adhere to certain residency obligations. This includes maintaining a valid visa status and ensuring accurate personal information is maintained with Home Affairs. - Maintain valid visa status
- Update personal details with Home Affairs
- Adhere to Australian laws
Tip: Consider applying for Australian citizenship if eligible, which grants additional rights and removes certain residency obligations.
Minimum Income Standards
There are no direct minimum income requirements for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864). However, an Assurance of Support must be obtained to ensure financial stability.
Warning: Failure to provide an Assurance of Support when requested may lead to delays or refusal of the visa application. The Assurance of Support acts as a financial guarantee that you will not rely on social services in Australia for a specified period.
When to Get Help
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) offers a pathway for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia. However, there are certain situations where seeking professional advice might be beneficial to ensure a smoother application process. If you have faced a visa denial in the past, it's essential to understand the reasons for the refusal and address them in your current application. Previous refusals can impact your new application, especially if the reasons for denial remain unresolved. A registered migration agent can provide insights into overcoming previous visa refusals by identifying and addressing specific issues that led to the denial. Proving the genuineness of your application is required for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa. Concerns may arise if your relationship with the sponsor appears insubstantial or if documentation lacks clarity. Review the Parent Visa 103 and Contributory Parent Visa 143 for similar criteria that might assist in strengthening your application. Situations involving complex sponsor circumstances, such as financial instability or residency status issues, can complicate the visa application process. These require careful consideration and documentation.
Extending Your Family Visa
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) offers a pathway for aged parents to live permanently in Australia with their settled children. This visa requires applicants to meet several conditions including being of pension age and having a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen child.
Removing Conditional Status
To remove any conditional status associated with the Contributory Aged Parent Visa, you must ensure all obligations, such as health and character requirements, are met. Additionally, you must not hold any outstanding debts to the Australian government. - Meet health and character requirements.
- Ensure no debts to the Australian government.
- Sign the Australian Values Statement if over 18.
Important: Verifying all conditions are satisfied is required for maintaining your visa status and avoiding complications.
Family Visa Renewal Process The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) is a permanent visa, so there is no traditional renewal process like temporary visas. However, staying compliant with all conditions of the visa ensures its ongoing validity.
Tip: If you transitioned from a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 884), ensure all requirements are fulfilled to secure the subclass 864 visa.
Maintaining Visa Compliance
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Ensure your personal details are up to date in ImmiAccount.
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Abide by Australian laws and values.
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Report any changes in circumstances, such as changes in family status or address, to the Department of Home Affairs.
Warning: Failure to comply with visa conditions can lead to visa cancellation. Regularly review your obligations to avoid any issues. For more information on maintaining compliance, refer to the Parent Visa section or consult the Contributory Parent 143 visa details.
The Two-Stage Process
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) offers a pathway for aged parents of settled Australians to live permanently in Australia. This process involves two main stages: obtaining sponsor approval and lodging the visa application itself.
Sponsor Approval Requirements
Before applying for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa, your child must be approved as your sponsor. They must be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. - Provide evidence of your relationship, such as birth certificates or adoption papers.
- Your sponsor must complete Form 40, which is the Sponsorship for Migration to Australia.
- Meet the balance-of-family test, ensuring that at least half of your children reside in Australia or more children live in Australia than any other country.
Tip: Ensure your sponsor has lived in Australia for at least two years to be considered 'settled' for sponsorship purposes.
Applicant Visa Application Steps
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Gather necessary documents, including identity and relationship verification, such as passports and birth certificates.
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Ensure you meet the age requirement to receive the age pension in Australia.
3.4. Lodge the visa application and pay the applicable visa application charge.
Important: All applicants must meet the health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Completing the Two-Stage Process
Once your sponsor is approved and your visa application is lodged, you will need to wait for the processing of your application. This can take some time due to high demand. During this period, ensure that you maintain valid documentation and communicate any changes in circumstances to Home Affairs promptly. Regularly check the Parent visa queue for updates on processing times.
Warning: Not providing accurate or complete information can delay processing times or result in a refusal.
Who Can Apply
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) provides a pathway for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia. To apply for this visa, specific requirements related to relationship proof, sponsor eligibility, and financial thresholds must be met.
Required Relationship Documentation
To prove eligibility for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864)
you must provide documentation that establishes your relationship to your child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. - A birth certificate showing your child's name
- Adoption papers, if applicable
- Evidence of your child's citizenship or residency status
Tip: Ensure all documents are certified copies and, if not in English, accompanied by a certified translation.
Sponsor Eligibility Standards
Your sponsor must meet specific criteria to support your application. They must be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. - The sponsor must be 18 years or older.
- They must have been lawfully residing in Australia for a minimum period, typically two years.
Important: The sponsor must complete Form 40 Sponsorship for Migration to Australia to formalize their commitment.
Financial Thresholds for Application
Applicants must meet financial requirements, which include obtaining an assurance of support. This ensures that you will not rely on government assistance once in Australia. - An assurance of support bond is payable, which is held for ten years.
- The bond amount varies based on the number of applicants.
Important: Failure to meet the financial requirements can lead to delays or refusal of your visa application.
Sponsorship Pitfalls
#The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) is designed for aged parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, allowing them to live permanently in Australia. However, applicants must be aware of potential sponsorship pitfalls that could affect the success of their application. Common issues include relationship evidence gaps, financial shortfalls, and past immigration violations. Addressing these areas proactively can help smooth the application process.
Common Sponsorship Pitfalls
A common pitfall in the sponsorship process is inadequate evidence of the relationship between the applicant and their child in Australia. It is necessary to provide comprehensive documentation proving this relationship, such as birth certificates, adoption papers, or statutory declarations. - Insufficient relationship documentation
- Inaccurate or incomplete application information
- Failure to meet the balance-of-family test
Important: Ensure all relationship evidence is clear and verifiable to meet the Department of Home Affairs' requirements.
Tip: Consider consulting with a migration agent for guidance on compiling necessary documents. Parent Visa
Avoiding Financial Shortfalls
Financial shortfalls can also hinder the visa application process. The sponsor must provide an assurance of support, which acts as a financial guarantee for the applicant. - Ensure the sponsor can demonstrate sufficient income or assets
- Arrange for the assurance of support through Centrelink
- Prepare for the visa application charge, which is significantly higher than non-contributory visas
Warning: Failure to meet financial requirements can result in denial of the application. Verify all financial obligations with the Department of Home Affairs.
Tip: Visit Financial Requirements for more details on financial obligations.
Impact of Prior Violations
Previous immigration violations can significantly impact the approval of your Contributory Aged Parent Visa. These can include prior visa breaches or outstanding debts to the Australian Government. - Resolve any outstanding debts before applying
- Provide full disclosure of past immigration history
- Ensure compliance with all Australian immigration laws
Important: Past violations do not automatically disqualify you but failing to disclose them can lead to a rejection of your application.
Tip: For more information on resolving immigration issues, see Visa Refusal Reasons.
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing FeeThe standard filing fee for form contributory aged parent visa (subclass 864). Check the current fee on the official Home Affairs fee schedule. | See official schedule |
| Biometrics Services FeeA biometrics fee may be required depending on your category. Check the official fee schedule. | See official schedule |
Can the Form Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) fee be waived?
Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee?
Home Affairs will reject your application if the incorrect fee is submitted. Verify the current fee on the official schedule before filing.
Fee waiver: Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility. For related guidance, see Form 80.
Fees change; always verify on Home Affairs.
Next steps
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Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-03-04
VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
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