The Aged Parent Visa (804): Lower Cost, Onshore, but a Long Wait
The 804 is the budget-friendly permanent visa for aged parents already in Australia. The wait is very long, like the other non-contributory visas, but there's an important difference. Your parents can usually stay here on a bridging visa the whole time, so the long wait doesn't mean being apart.
What the 804 Is
The 804 is the non-contributory aged parent visa, for parents who are old enough for the age pension and already in Australia. It leads to permanent residence at a fraction of the cost of the contributory visa. As with the other low-cost parent visas, the queue is very long. But the 804 has a feature that changes the picture for a lot of families.
The bridging visa is what makes the 804 different. Because your parents apply onshore, they're generally granted a bridging visa that lets them stay in Australia while the application is processed. So even though the wait is long, your parents can spend that time here with you, rather than overseas. For many families, being together is what matters most, and the 804 allows it without the large contribution.
The Trade-Off, Honestly
You're swapping a big upfront cost for a long wait, with the comfort that your parents can stay here throughout. That suits families where the priority is having parents in Australia now, on a lawful basis, without the expense of the contributory visa. It asks you to be comfortable with the permanent visa itself taking many years, which for aged parents is a real consideration worth talking through.
What You'll Need
- Your parents to be aged, meaning old enough to receive the age pension
- Your parents in Australia when they apply, usually on a substantive visa
- A sponsor in Australia, usually you, their child, who is settled here
- To pass the balance of family test
- An assurance of support, plus health and character requirements
How We Help
We make sure your parents meet the aged requirement and that their current visa supports a clean onshore application with a proper bridging visa, because the bridging visa is the whole benefit. We're honest about the permanent visa's timeframe, and we weigh it against the contributory aged parent visa and the 870 so you choose with clear eyes. Then we lodge it properly and keep it on track.
Your Other Options
Contributory Aged Parent
Same onshore bridging benefit, but pay the contribution and your parents get PR in years, not decades.
About 864/884 No PR WaitSponsored Parent (870)
A long-term temporary visa, with no balance of family test and no decades-long PR queue.
About the 870Not Sure Yet?
Compare every way to bring your parents over and find what fits your family best.
Where to startYour 804 Questions
Can my parents really stay here the whole time?
In most cases, yes. Applying onshore generally means your parents are granted a bridging visa that keeps them lawful and in Australia while the 804 is processed. That's the visa's biggest drawcard. The permanent grant itself takes a long time, but your parents can spend that time here with you rather than overseas, which is the opposite of the offshore 103.
What can my parents do on the bridging visa?
It depends on the conditions attached, which can cover things like work and travel. Travelling overseas on a bridging visa in particular needs to be handled carefully so it doesn't affect their status. We'll explain exactly what your parents can and can't do while they wait, and how to manage things like overseas trips safely.
Should I just pay for the contributory version?
It comes down to cost versus how soon they need the permanent visa itself. Both let your parents stay onshore on a bridging visa, so they're together with you either way. The contributory aged parent visa costs much more but grants permanent residence far sooner. If the permanent status matters quickly, it's worth it. If not, the 804 may do the job. We'll help you weigh it.
What if my parents aren't quite age-pension age?
Then the aged parent visas may not be open to them yet, and a different pathway, like the offshore parent visas or the 870, might suit in the meantime. Timing matters here, so it's worth planning ahead. We'll look at where your parents are now and map out the best sequence of steps for your family.
Keep Them Close While the Wait Runs
The 804 lets your aged parents stay with you in Australia while their permanent visa is processed, without the big contribution. Let's check it's the right fit and get it lodged properly.