Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864

The Contributory Aged Parent visa (Subclass 864) is a permanent visa for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It allows indefinite stay with full PR benefits but requires a substantial “contribution” charge and has lengthy processing times.

Overview How to Apply

Duration

Permanent

Cost

AUD43,600

Processing Time

4-6 years

Pathway

Australian Citizenship Pathway

Overview

Subclass 864 grants permanent residency to eligible aged parents already in Australia at lodgement and decision. Applicants must be of Australian pension age, satisfy the Balance of Family test, and be sponsored by a settled child. From 2 April 2025, paper applications for 864 can be imported into ImmiAccount for online management. The government charge starts from AUD 48,640 (two instalments for a single applicant), with additional costs for health checks, police certificates, biometrics, and an Assurance of Support where requested. Demand exceeds annual places, so processing is queued and lengthy. If granted, you can live, work, and study indefinitely, enrol in Medicare, sponsor family, and travel for 5 years on the initial travel facility, with a pathway to citizenship if eligible.

Do You Have What It Takes?

✔ Be old enough to receive Australia’s Age Pension.
✔ Be in Australia when you apply and when a decision is made.
✔ Have a settled Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen child as sponsor.
✔ Sponsor usually resident in Australia for at least 2 years.
✔ Meet the Balance of Family test (half or more children in Australia, or more in Australia than any other single country).

✔ Meet health requirements (medical exams as requested).
✔ Meet character requirements (police checks as requested).
✔ Not hold or have applied for a Subclass 870 at time of 864 application.
✔ Provide Assurance of Support if requested.
✔ Pay the visa application charges (including the contribution).

Why Choose This Path?

Live in Australia permanently as a permanent resident.
Work and study without time limits.
Enrol in Medicare (public healthcare).
Sponsor eligible family to migrate.
Multiple entry travel for 5 years, then apply for an RRV if needed.
Access AMEP English classes if eligible.
Pathway to Australian citizenship when eligible.
Ability to settle near family and participate in community life.
Access many PR entitlements and protections.
No need to transition from a temporary parent visa if applying directly.

Your Roadmap to Success

Confirm you meet Age Pension age and Balance of Family test.
Ensure your child is an eligible, settled sponsor in Australia.
Gather identity, relationship, health, character, and financial documents.
Lodge the Subclass 864 application onshore (you must be in Australia).
Pay the first VAC and provide biometrics/health checks if requested.
Provide Assurance of Support details when invited.
Respond quickly to any requests for more information.
Monitor queue updates and ImmiAccount for correspondence.
Pay the second VAC (contribution) when asked.
Receive decision; if granted, activate PR and enrol in Medicare.

Visa Duration

Initial Duration

Permanent

Visa Pathways

Australian Citizenship Pathway

After receiving your permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 and living in Australia for the required period you can apply for Australian citizenship which provides voting rights Australian passport complete protection from deportation and ultimate belonging. To apply for citizenship you typically need 4 years of lawful residence in Australia including at least 12 months as permanent resident and must not have been absent for more than 12 months total in 4-year period or more than 90 days in final 12 months as permanent resident.