About the Subclass 864 visa

What The Subclass 864 Visa Offers Eligible Parents

The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is a permanent visa designed for eligible parents who are already in Australia and have reached the qualifying age for the Australian Age Pension. It provides an opportunity to remain with your children and family while applying for permanent residency without needing to leave Australia. Applicants must have an eligible sponsor, satisfy the Balance of Family Test, meet Australia’s health and character requirements, and obtain an Assurance of Support before the visa can be granted.

As a permanent resident, you can live, work and study anywhere in Australia and enrol in Medicare if eligible. The visa also provides a pathway towards Australian citizenship for applicants who meet the residency requirements. Compared with the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804), the Subclass 864 generally offers a faster processing pathway because it is part of the contributory parent visa program. Eligible applicants may also choose to progress through the temporary Subclass 884 visa first, allowing government application charges to be paid over two stages before obtaining permanent residency.

Eligibility requirements

The Key Criteria Every Applicant Must Meet

Onshore Application

Applications must be lodged while the applicant is in Australia and after reaching the qualifying Australian Age Pension age.

Sponsor & Family Test

An eligible sponsor is required, and most applicants must satisfy the Balance of Family Test.

Health & Financial Requirements

Applicants must meet health and character requirements, have no outstanding Australian Government debts, and provide an Assurance of Support before visa grant.

Eligibility At Decision

All legislative requirements must continue to be met until the Department makes a final decision on the application.

Your visa journey

How We Manage Your Visa From Beginning To End

Confirming your eligibility before you apply

Every successful application begins with a thorough assessment of your circumstances. Our migration specialists review your eligibility to determine whether the Subclass 864 visa is the right pathway for you. This includes assessing your age, sponsorship arrangements, Balance of Family Test requirements and Assurance of Support obligations before any paperwork is prepared. Identifying potential issues early helps minimise delays later in the process.

During this stage, we assess:
  • Australian Age Pension age eligibility
  • Sponsorship eligibility
  • Balance of Family Test requirements
  • Assurance of Support obligations
  • Your overall suitability for the Subclass 864 visa

Gathering documents and completing your application

Once your eligibility has been confirmed, we prepare your visa application and provide a personalised document checklist based on your individual circumstances. Every document is carefully reviewed to ensure it is complete, accurate and meets Department requirements before the application is lodged.

Documents may include:
  • Current passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Evidence of your relationship with your sponsoring child
  • Police clearance certificates
  • Health examination results
  • Identity documents
  • Any additional supporting documents required for your circumstances

Meeting every obligation throughout the process

Both the applicant and sponsor play an important role in a successful application. We guide each party through their responsibilities, explain the required evidence and prepare the necessary forms to ensure everything is submitted consistently.

As the applicant, you may need to:
  • Meet the Australian Age Pension age requirement
  • Lodge your application while in Australia
  • Pass the Balance of Family Test
  • Complete health examinations if required
  • Provide police certificates when requested
  • Obtain an Assurance of Support before visa grant
  • Declare your family members and previous visa history accurately
  • Notify the Department of any changes during processing
As the sponsor, you may need to:
  • Meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements
  • Complete and sign sponsorship forms
  • Provide evidence of Australian citizenship, permanent residency or eligible New Zealand citizenship
  • Demonstrate your relationship to the applicant
  • Keep your contact details up to date
  • Assist with any additional information requested by the Department

Managing your application until a decision is made

After your application has been finalised, we lodge it with the Department of Home Affairs and continue managing the process on your behalf. Our team monitors correspondence, responds to requests for further information and provides ongoing guidance until a final decision is made. Throughout the process, you’ll have professional support to help ensure your application continues to meet all legislative requirements.

Our ongoing support includes:
  • Lodging your visa application with the Department
  • Managing correspondence on your behalf
  • Responding to requests for additional documents
  • Providing updates throughout processing
  • Assisting until a final visa decision is made

Permanent residency benefits

Enjoy more freedom with the Subclass 864 visa

Live in Australia with full work rights, unrestricted study opportunities and access to Medicare, giving you greater security as you build your future.

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FAQs

Your Subclass 864 Visa Questions Answered

Yes. The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) grants permanent residency in Australia. Once your visa is granted, you can live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. Eligible permanent residents can also enrol in Medicare and may become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the relevant residency requirements.
Yes. This is an onshore visa, so you must be in Australia when your application is lodged. Remaining eligible throughout the assessment process is also important, and our migration specialists can explain any visa conditions that may apply to your circumstances.
Yes. Applicants must have reached the qualifying age for the Australian Age Pension when they apply for the Subclass 864 visa. This is one of the key eligibility requirements for this visa category.
Yes. Most applicants must obtain an Assurance of Support before the visa can be granted. This financial commitment is provided by an eligible assurer and forms part of the legislative requirements for contributory parent visas.
Yes. Eligible members of your family unit, including your partner, can generally be included in your application if they satisfy the relevant Department of Home Affairs requirements.
Yes. Many applicants first obtain the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884) before applying for the permanent Subclass 864 visa. This two-stage pathway allows eligible families to spread the government application charges over time.
Yes. Most applicants must satisfy the Balance of Family Test before the visa can be granted. This assessment helps determine whether you meet the family relationship requirements for the Parent Visa program.
It is common for the Department of Home Affairs to request additional documents or clarification while assessing an application. Responding accurately and within the required timeframe is important, and our team assists you with preparing and submitting any further information requested.
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Plan with certainty

Know where you stand before you apply

Understanding your eligibility and obligations early gives you a clearer picture of what's required and helps you approach the application process with greater confidence.

  • Gain clarity on your visa pathway.
  • Understand the requirements that apply to your situation.
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