Виза Aged Parent

What this visa is for#

The Aged Parent visa, subclass 804, is an onshore non-contributory parent visa for applicants at pension age. It sits in the Parent stream and lets a parent apply while in Australia.

This is a permanent visa. It is designed for parents who are old enough to meet the pension age requirement and who use the onshore parent pathway rather than an offshore parent visa.

Because this is an onshore visa, the application is lodged while the applicant is in Australia. The visa process can involve a very long wait, so it is important to understand that this is usually a long-term migration pathway rather than a quick result.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who are at pension age and want to apply for a permanent parent visa while they are in Australia.

This visa is for people who fit within the Parent stream. In practice, that means parents of settled children in Australia, where the parent visa framework applies.

This visa is for people using the non-contributory parent pathway. Non-contributory parent visas usually have lower government application charges than contributory parent visas, but much longer processing times.

This visa is for people who can stay engaged with a long-running application process, including requests for updated documents, health checks and identity material if the Department asks for them later.

What it costs#

The government visa application charge listed for this visa is:

• Main applicant: $5,160
• Additional applicant 18 or over: $2,580

These are government charges. They are payable to the Department, and the government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application, whether that is the applicant, a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.

Professional fees are separate. A registered migration agent or lawyer may charge for explaining the process, preparing the application, checking documents, managing correspondence and responding to Department requests. Those professional fees are set by the agent or law practice, not by the government, so they can vary a lot.

Government charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Before lodging, it is worth checking the current amount on the Department website or comparing quotes that clearly separate the visa application charge from professional fees.

How long it takes#

This visa is known for long processing times. It is part of the non-contributory parent program, and waiting periods can be very substantial because places are capped and queued.

Processing time is not only about how fast documents are uploaded. It can depend on annual planning levels, how many older applications are already waiting, whether the application is complete, and whether the Department later asks for updated health, police or identity documents.

A long wait also means some evidence given at lodgement may no longer be current by the time the application is assessed. In many parent visa cases, applicants need to provide fresh documents later in the process because passports, police checks and health results do not stay valid forever.

What the process involves#

The process starts with preparing and lodging an onshore application for the Aged Parent visa, subclass 804. The application is made in Australia, and the Department issues a file reference and manages the application directly.

The application stage usually involves identity documents, family relationship evidence and other material the Department requires for parent stream processing. If documents are not in English, translated copies are commonly needed.

After lodgement, there is often a long waiting period. During that time, the Department may not assess the application in detail for quite a while, especially where the queue is long.

If the Department reaches the application for further processing, it may ask for updated documents. These can include passports, police certificates, health examinations and other items that must still be valid at the time they are checked.

If the applicant holds a substantive visa when the 804 is lodged, a bridging visa may come into effect later, depending on the situation. A bridging visa is not the same as the previous substantive visa, and its conditions need to be checked carefully.

The Department also expects contact details to stay current during the whole process. For a visa that can remain pending for years, this is a major practical point. If letters, emails or requests go to an old address, deadlines can be missed.

If a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner is involved, that person can lodge the application and manage communication with the Department. Their role and fee structure can differ, so quotes are easier to compare when they are itemised.

What commonly goes wrong#

A common problem is lodging with incomplete evidence. Parent visa applications often involve relationship documents, identity documents and civil records from different countries. If basic documents are missing at the start, the application can become harder to manage later.

Another common issue is assuming old documents will still be accepted years later. Passports expire. Police certificates go out of date. Health examinations are only valid for a limited period. In a long parent visa queue, documents that were fine at lodgement may need to be replaced when the Department starts active assessment.

People also run into trouble by not telling the Department about a change of address, email or phone number. This matters a lot in long-running applications. If a request for information is sent to an old contact point and no reply is given in time, the application can be affected.

Some applicants assume a bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive visa they held before. That is not always true. Work rights, travel rights and other conditions can be different, so the actual bridging visa grant notice needs to be read carefully.

Travel can also cause confusion. For many onshore applications, leaving Australia without understanding the travel effect on the bridging visa can create problems. A bridging visa that allows stay in Australia does not automatically allow re-entry after overseas travel.

Another practical problem is inconsistent information across forms and documents. Names, dates of birth, previous addresses and family details need to match the records as closely as possible. Small discrepancies can lead to delays, extra questions or requests for clarification.

English translations are another frequent weak point. If a document is in another language, the Department generally expects an English translation. Unclear, partial or informal translations can slow the file down because the case officer may need better copies or a proper translation.

Health and character steps are sometimes misunderstood because they may not happen straight after lodgement. In a long queue, the Department can ask for these much later. If an applicant assumes old police checks or old medicals remain valid indefinitely, that can lead to a scramble when a deadline arrives.

Finally, some people underestimate how long they need to keep records. For this type of visa, it is sensible to keep copies of everything lodged, every receipt, every Department letter and every update sent later. Long applications are easier to manage when there is a clear document trail.

Frequently asked questions#

Can the 804 visa be lodged in Australia?#

Yes. The Aged Parent visa, subclass 804, is an onshore visa. It is designed to be lodged while the applicant is in Australia.

Is the 804 visa a permanent visa?#

The subclass 804 is a permanent parent visa in the non-contributory parent category. It is part of the Parent stream and is used for parents at pension age who apply onshore.

How much is the government charge for the 804 visa?#

The listed government charge is $5,160 for the main applicant and $2,580 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over. This government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application. Professional fees from a registered migration agent or lawyer are separate.

How long does an Aged Parent 804 visa take?#

This visa is generally associated with long processing times. Parent visas in the non-contributory stream can remain in the queue for a long period because of limited places and high demand.

Does a bridging visa give the same rights as my current visa?#

Not necessarily. A bridging visa can have different conditions from the substantive visa held before the parent visa application was lodged. Work rights and travel rights need to be checked against the actual bridging visa notice.

About this page. This is general information about how the Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the реестр OMARA (Управление по регистрации миграционных агентов).