Apply for Permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)

Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864) is a permanent visa that allows parents of an eligible child to live in Australia as permanent residents. The recipient of this visa, ultimately, will be eligible for Australian citizenship and will be able to work and study in Australia. They are also entitled to Medicare (public health care system), sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia and to travel indefinitely for a 5-year term.

As with any parent visas, Subclass 864 is also capped annually and amounts to a total estimated price of AUD $47,825 with additional cost for each family member that is added to the application. The assessment for this visa is done in two stages wherein under part 1, the eligibility is assessed thoroughly and added to the queue once the first instalment is paid. Under part 2, the Department will continue assessing the application and when a place becomes available, invite the applicants to pay the second instalment and will then make a decision.

In order to make a valid application, the applicants must be in Australia at the time of application and must hold a valid substantive visa. The applications of the contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 will also be granted a Bridging visa that will let the applicants stay in Australia until a decision is made.


Sponsorship Obligation for Permanent Contributory Aged Parent

Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens, above the age of 18, can sponsor their parents to travel to Australia and to live with them for the foreseeable future. In circumstances where the child is below the age of 18 or unable to sponsor, then the Parent can also be sponsored by

  1. Spouse of the child (he/she/they must be over 18 years of age and an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen)

  2. Close family relative

  3. Legal guardian of your child

  4. Close family relative of your child’s spouse

  5. Legal guardian of your child’s spouse

  6. Community organisation

Under subclass 864, the child is able to sponsor more than one parent and this sponsorship covers any applicant who apply for this visa. Before the application is decided, sponsors are given a leeway to withdraw their application at any point in time and this request must be made in writing to the Parent Visa Centre in Perth. Once a decision has been made the Sponsor will not be able to withdraw their Sponsorship. In instances where a sponsor has failed to comply with sponsorship obligations, the Department might cancel the visa.


Eligibility requirements Permanent Contributory Aged Parent SUbclass 864

To be fully eligible for this visa:

  1. the applicant must not have held or applied for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa

  2. have a designated sponsor

  3. have assurance of support

  4. must be of pension age in Australia

  5. fulfill the ‘balance of family’ test

  6. must not have a no further stay condition

  7. satisfy health requirements

  8. satisfy character requirements

  9. repay any remaining debts, that is owed by the applicant or any family member, to the Australian Government

  10. must not have a previous application refused or a previous visa cancelled


How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

At Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyers and our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents are well trained to handle highly complex matters.  You can book one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-72002700 or email us to book in a time at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Korean, Burmese, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.


This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact our office.