Contributory Aged Parent visa for Applicants
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Overview
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About this visa
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Eligibility
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Step by step
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When you have this visa
Stay
Permanently
Cost
AUD48,365
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
For more information, see Parent visa queue.
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia as a permanent resident
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
See all conditions
Check your eligibility
You must
- have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia
- not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on who can help with your visa application.
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia indefinitely
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date we grant this visa. This is as long as the travel facility on this visa remains valid.
If you want to travel after the initial 5-year travel facility:
- you will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) so that you can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
- you might also want to consider Australian citizenship. If you become an Australian citizen, you don't require a visa to enter Australia. You will need to apply for an Australian passport and use it to leave and re-enter Australia. See more about eligibility requirements and current processing times for Australian citizenship
To see when your travel facility ends, use VEVO.
If you hold a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (subclass 884) visa
You can apply for the subclass 864 visa as a two-step process by first applying for a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (subclass 884) visa. Applying for the subclass 884 visa and then the subclass 864 visa allows you to spread the cost of the visas over a number of years.
You have already met the balance of family test.
How long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency starts on the day we grant the visa.
Include family
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.
You will be required to include details of all your family members, whether they are migrating or not, in the application form.
If you have a partner, include their details in your application even if they are not applying for the visa with you.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet our health and character requirements. Family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health and character requirements.
Newborn child
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Cost
This visa costs AUD48,365. There is an additional charge for each family member who applies with you.
You pay for this visa in 2 parts called instalments.
Pay the first instalment when you apply. Pay the second instalment when we ask you to.
You might also have to pay other costs for each applicant for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Use the Visa Pricing Estimator to work out what your visa will cost. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs.
See more about visa fees and charges.
Apply from
You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for the visa.
Any family members who apply for the visa with you must also be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply.
Processing times
The demand for these visas is greater than the number of places available each year. As a result, processing times for these applications can be lengthy.
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Your application might take longer to process if:
- you do not fill it in correctly
- you do not include all of the documents we need or we need more information from you and/or
- your information takes a long time to verify.
We cannot process your application if you do not pay the correct visa application charge. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application.
The Reports on Migration Programs have further information on Migration Program outcomes against planning for each migration program year.
Applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing.
Learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities.
Assessment
We assess applications for this visa in 2 stages:
- Check eligibility and either add the application to the queue or refuse it.
- Continue assessing the application when a place becomes available and make a decision.
Do not arrange to stay permanently in Australia until your visa is granted. We will let you know in writing if we grant you the visa.
Learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities.
Consider another visa
Other Parent visas available include the:
- Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884), then a permanentContributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). This 2-step visa process costs more than the subclass 804 visa. It also costs more than applying directly for the Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864), but the cost is spread across the 2 visas over a longer period.
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is a temporary visa allowing parents to visit their children in Australia for up to three or five years at a time and a cumulative maximum 10 year period.
You can view all visa options on our Visa list page.
Your obligations
You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Not have this visa
You cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Have a sponsor
You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor.
Usually you would be sponsored by an eligible child. If your child is under 18, you can be sponsored by an eligible relative or community organisation.
We must approve the sponsorship.
If your sponsor dies
If you hold a Temporary Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 884) visa, you might still be eligible for this visa if your sponsor dies.
See what to do if your situation changes.
Be this age
You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
We might also ask that other non-migrating family members meet the requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
We might also ask that other non-migrating family members meet the requirement.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must:
- have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia book
- sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws
Meet the balance-of-family test
You must meet the balance-of-family test. You meet the balance of family test if:
- at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
- there are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country
See examples of how the balance-of-family test is applied.
If you hold a Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 884) (Temporary) visa, you have already met the balance of family test.
Have assurance of support
You must be able to obtain an assurance of support.
An assurance of support assures us that you will not have to rely on government assistance after you enter Australia on this visa. The assurance is for you and any family members who come to Australia with you on this visa.
We will let you know when you need to provide the assurance of support.
Learn more about assurances of support.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or have an approved arrangement in place to pay it back.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia, see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Step 1
Before you apply
Check your passport. If you need help with your application, get someone to act on your behalf.
Check your passport
You and anyone who applies for the visa with you must have valid passports before we grant the visa. We will only grant the visa if you have a valid passport.
However, we will only grant the visa if you have a valid passport.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
- a registered migration agent
- a legal practitioner, or
- an exempt person.
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
If you have an existing Parent visa application
If you applied for a different parent visa, but we have not made a decision about that visa, you must withdraw that application at the same time that you apply for this visa.
If you applied for a Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) or a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) you need to complete:
- Part C of Form 47PT Application for migration to Australia by a Contributory Parent (Temporary) or Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa holder
If you applied for a Parent visa (subclass 103) or Aged Parent visa (subclass 804), you need to complete:
- Part B of Form 47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia
Step 2
Gather your documents
Gather all your documents, including for any partner or dependents who might be applying with you. You will also need your sponsor documents.
Provide accurate documents
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you cannot prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (subclass 884) visa holders
You won't need to provide us with some of the documents we usually ask for if:
- you hold a subclass 884 visa, or
- your subclass 884 visa ended in the 28 days immediately before you apply for this visa
You will still need to provide documents:
- to let us know you are getting help with your application
- if there has been a change in your situation since we granted you the 884 visa
Changes in your situation we need evidence of include:
- your family member is no longer a dependent
- your partnership relationship has changed
- you have had a baby
- your contact details have changed
- you have a new passport
- you want to nominate a new sponsor
- your sponsor has died
Identity documents
We need proof of your identity. If you cannot prove your identity:
- we will refuse your visa application
- we might not grant you another visa for 10 years
- we might not grant any family members you listed on your application a visa for 10 years
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by
Sponsor documents
Your application must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor.
Your sponsor must complete Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia.
Balance-of-family documents
Show us that you meet the balance-of-family test by giving us:
- evidence of how you are related to each child
- evidence of each child's country of permanent residence
- evidence that your child should not be included in the balance-of-family test (for example, their death certificate
If you hold a Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 884) (Temporary) visa, you have already met the balance of family test.
Character documents
We might ask for character documents, including police certificates. Don’t arrange a police check until we ask you to.
Learn more about police certificates.
Assurance of support
Provide us with an assurance of support when we ask for it.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Send written notification or your forms with your paper application.
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- proof of your relationship with them, like a birth or marriage certificate
- character documents, if applicable
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to stay in Australia on this visa
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents if applicable
Dependants over 18 documents
To be included in your visa application as a dependent child, your child must be:
- under 18 years, or
- over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 years of age, unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner
For every dependant 18 years old or older who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
- proof of dependency
If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.
Provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
Proof of dependency
You need to prove that this person is dependent on you. Provide:
- a completed Form 47a - Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over
- proof of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:
- proof they live with you
- their tax records
- proof they are currently studying
Partner documents
Provide:
- identity documents
- character documents
- documents about other relationships, if applicable
Provide either:
- your current marriage certificate or
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply
Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show you have lived at the same address as your partner
Photographs
Provide 4 recent photos (45mm x 35mm) of anyone included in the application.
Photographs must be:
- 45mm x 35mm
- less than 6 months old
- good quality colour. We don't accept laser copies
- a full-face view of your head and shoulders
- taken against a plain light-coloured background
You can wear untinted prescription glasses. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, you can show only your face.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original copies and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Certify
Do not certify police certificates. You need to send us the originals.
Have all other documents certified. This includes:
- non-English documents
- English translations
Keep
Keep a copy of your completed application.
Send
Send us:
- original police certificates
- certified copies of all other documents
- as much relevant information as possible to help us make a decision on your application
- each document only once, even if you are using to show more than one thing
- all documents with your application, if you can
Step 3
Apply for the visa
You must apply for this visa on paper. You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when the application is submitted.
Learn more about where you can be when we make a decision on your application by reading the “Visa Outcome” section on this web page. (Below)
You cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Apply on paper
If your subclass 884 visa is current or has ended within the last 28 days, complete Form 47PT Application for migration to Australia by a Contributory Parent (Temporary) or Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa holder.
If you do not hold, (or have never held) a subclass 884 visa, you must complete:
- Form 47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia
Your sponsor will need to complete:
- Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia
Complete the forms in English.
You must pay the first instalment when you apply. For payment options see how to pay.
You can't submit applications for this visa in person. Send the application by post or courier to the Parent Visa Processing Centre in Perth at the address on the form. Include all required documents, forms and evidence of visa application charge payment with your application.
If any of the above steps are incomplete, your application may be invalid. We do not process invalid applications. We will notify you if this is the case, and if requested, return your application.
Do not send original documents with your application, only send certified copies. Keep a copy of your completed application for your own records, including any supporting documents.
If you have an existing Parent visa application
If you applied for a different parent visa, but we have not made a decision about that visa, you must withdraw that application at the same time that you apply for this visa.
You will need to complete either:
- Part C of Form 47PT Application for migration to Australia by a Contributory Parent (Temporary) or Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa holder
- Part B of Form 47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia
Step 4
After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application and documents. There are other things you need to know and might have to do.
Status updates
We can't provide updates on your application's progress within normal processing times. We will let you know if you need to provide anything further.
Learn more about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities.
Travel
Tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application. We need to know because you must be in Australia when we make our decision.
If you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return.
Learn about visa expiry.
Health exams
We will let you know if you need health examinations
Provide character documents
We will let you know when you need to provide character documents.
When we do, provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16. We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
Learn more about police certificates.
Also provide:
- an overseas police certificate from every country [link to location service], including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16
- military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country
Complete and provide Form 80 Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Send more information
Stay lawful
Make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
When you apply for this visa in Australia, you are likely to be granted a bridging visa. If your current visa expires before we make a decision on your application, the bridging visa will start. You can stay in Australia on the bridging visa while we process your new visa application.
Learn more about visa expiry.
Pay the second instalment
Pay the second instalment when we tell you to. We will send you an invoice for the instalment after you have met all other requirements for the visa.
You must pay the instalment or we can't grant the visa.
Add family members
You might be able to add family members to your application before we make a decision.
Complete and send us Form 1436 Adding an additional applicant after lodgement.
You will also need to provide evidence of your relationship and the family member’s passport.
Any family members you add to your application after you apply must be in Australia when you add them.
Newborn child
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you make a mistake on your application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Send written notification or your forms to the office your submitted your application.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:
- changes to your phone number, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application
See what to do if your situation changes.
Step 5
Visa outcome
You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when we make a decision on your application.
We will let you know our decision in writing.
If we grant you the visa, we will let you know:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions.
Keep a copy of our decision.
If we refuse your visa we will let you know:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
We will not refund the application fee if we refuse your application.
In Australia
What you must do when you have this visa
You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.
Tell us if things change
See what to do if your situation changes.
Check your visa conditions and expiry
See your visa conditions and work and study entitlements in VEVO.
See how long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.
Access Australian Government benefits
As a newly arrived resident, you might have to wait to access certain Australian Government payments and benefits. Learn more about newly arrived residents waiting periods from Services Australia.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date we grant this visa. This is as long as the travel facility on this visa remains valid.
If you want to travel after the initial 5-year travel facility:
- you will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) so that you can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
- you might also want to consider Australian citizenship. If you become an Australian citizen, you don't require a visa to enter Australia. You will need to apply for an Australian passport and use it to leave and re-enter Australia. See more about eligibility requirements and current processing times for Australian citizenship
To see when your travel facility ends, use VEVO.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
You can request your international movement records by completing Form 1359 - Request for international movement records.
Working
You are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Becoming an Australian citizen
After a certain time, you might be eligible for Australian citizenship. Find out more about becoming a citizen.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day we grant the visa.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.
Ensure your visa is still valid
See what to do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.
At the border
Departures SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
After you leave
Proving you have been to Australia
To prove you have been to Australia, request your international movement records by completing Form 1359 Request for international movement records.