Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 is a Visa Program offered by the Australian Government under the Parent Visa Programs which is a primary pathway that allows eligible Australian citizens, permanent residents holders of Australia, and settled eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their aged parents for permanent residency in Australia. This program is a fast-track pathway to bring parents aged 67+ to live permanently, bypassing the 30+ year non-contributory aged parent visa queues. This visa is very popular cause despite its substantial financial contribution, it is a program that offers one of the shortest processing times for family re-unification, particularly for parents who are already in Australia.
This guide based on official Department of Home Affairs (DHA) data and expert analysis, details contributory aged parent visa processing time, contributory aged parent visa cost, balance of family test, and contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 requirements—perfect for 67+ parents seeking Medicare and full residency rights.
What is Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864?
The Contributory Aged Parent Visa subclass 864 is an Australian visa program which is also known as the Subclass 864 for older parents of Australian citizens/residents, allowing them to live in Australia, get Medicare, and eventually citizenship, but it’s significantly more expensive and processed faster than standard parent visas. Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 grants permanent residency to parents 67+ onshore who pass balance of family test, bypassing general parent visa queues through contributory priority funding.
| Feature | Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 Details |
|---|---|
|
Visa Type |
Permanent Onshore |
|
Minimum Age |
67+ (Must be Australian Age Pension eligible) |
|
Location Requirement |
Must be in Australia for application and grant. |
|
Processing Time |
Approx. 10 – 15 Years (Fastest permanent parent visa) |
|
Total Cost |
AUD $48k+ (VAC only) + AoS Bond |
|
Rights Granted |
Permanent stay, Work, Medicare, Citizenship path |
(Source: Department of Home Affairs (DHA) )
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 Eligibility
While Contributory Aged Parent Visa has age and location rules which are essential, the Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 application focuses on two crucial assessment criteria: The Balance of Family Test and the Assurance of Support.
The Balance of Family Test (BoFT)
The Balance of Family Test or the BoFT is a test that ensures the sponsor parent’s relation to Australia is strong enough to justify permanent residency. To pass, the applicant must demonstrate one of the following conditions:
- Minimum of applicant’s 50 % children are Australian citizens or permanent residents who are usually resident in Australia.
- More of the applicant’s children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
Assurance of Support (AoS) Bond
The Assurance of Support is a legally binding commitment from the sponsor (or another eligible third party) to financially support the parent for the first 10 years after the visa is granted. This ensures the parents will not rely on Australia’s social welfare system. For the Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864, the bond is AUD $10,000 for the primary applicant and AUD $4,000 for the secondary applicant which is held for 10 years and is fully refundable (with interest) provided the visa holders have not claimed specific Australian social welfare payments (Centrelink).
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 Processing Time
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 processing time averages 10-15 years (90% granted), currently processing June 2018 EOIs via 6,800 annual contributory places
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
|
EOI → Invitation |
Days-weeks |
|
Full Assessment |
2-4 years |
|
Health/Character Checks |
3-6 months |
|
Final Grant |
Approx. 10 – 15 Years (Fastest permanent parent visa) |
|
Total Cost |
Total 3-5 years |
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 Cost
The cost associated with contributory aged parent visa Subclass 864 offered by the Australian government is among the most expensive costs associated with an Australian visa. It normally represents the benefits associated with permanent residency and fast processing rates. The Total Cost incurred in the contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 can be found below:
- Visa Application Charge (VAC) Cost
The charge will include Visa Application Charge (VAC). It should be settled with 2 non-refundable payments amounting approximately AUD $48640 for primary applicants and AUD $46,115 for Additional application.
| Cost Component | Primary Applicant | Additional Applicant |
|---|---|---|
|
First Instalment |
AUD $5,040 |
AUD $2,515 |
|
Second Instalment |
AUD $43,600 |
AUD $43,600 |
|
Total VAC (Approx.) |
AUD $48,640 |
AUD $46,115 |
(Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Additional Cost:
| Percentile | Processing Time |
|---|---|
|
HAP ID Health Exams |
AUD $350-500 |
|
Police Certificates |
AUD $200-400/country |
|
Biometrics |
AUD $20 |
|
NAATI Translations |
AUD $300-600 |
|
MARA Agent Fees |
AUD $2,000-5,000 |
Document Checklist for Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 Application
To make sure that your application is being efficiently managed with the processing time for the contributory aged parent visa 864, your best approach is to make sure that everything required for decision-making is already there in the visa application package. This checklist helps you pave the way for a smooth transition to resident visa approval. With this, there would not only be a complete compliance with the visa 864 requirements, but there will also be no Requests for Information.
- Form 47PA & 40PA: The essential application and sponsorship forms that legally initiate your claim for the contributory aged parent visa subclass 864.
- Proof of Age (67+): Official documentation, such as a passport or birth certificate, verifying the applicant meets the Australian Age Pension eligibility age.
- BoFT Evidence: Certified copies of children’s Australian passports or PR visas to satisfy the 50% balance of family test requirement.
- Onshore Status Proof: Evidence of your current substantive visa (like a subclass 600) to confirm you are applying while physically present in Australia.
- Health Exams (HAP ID): Medical results from an approved panel physician confirming the applicant meets the strict “no health waiver” criteria for the aged contributory parent visa.
- Police Certificates: Original character clearances from every country the applicant has lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.
- AoS Form 956A & $10k Bond: Documentation of the legal financial guarantee and the refundable bank bond required to support the parent’s residency.
- Sponsor NOAs: At least two years of Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessments to prove the sponsor is “settled” and financially capable.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 Bridging Advantages
After the valid Subclass 864 application is submitted, and while the parent of the sponsor is holding a substantive visa (like a Visitor Visa), they are automatically granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). The advantages provided by Bridging Visa A are:
- Immediate Lawful Stay: The BVA takes effect once the parent’s current temporary visa expires, allowing them to remain in Australia indefinitely while the permanent visa is processed.
- Unlimited Work Rights: The BVA that is granted together with a permanent visa application will normally include full working rights, which is a big advantage as it will enable these parents to contribute towards the family’s income sources during the waiting period.
- Travel Rights: In case the parent needs to travel outside Australia, they will have to apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB). Otherwise, it will result in the automatic cancellation of BVA, making return entry as well as the Subclass 864 visa application invalid.
- Study Rights: Full study rights are also generally granted, allowing the parent to pursue further education.
- Medicare Eligibility: Unlike many other temporary visa applications, applying for the permanent Subclass 864 while onshore makes the applicant immediately eligible for Medicare benefits from the date the application is submitted. This provides essential access to Australia’s public health system while waiting for the permanent grant.
| Right | BVA Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
|
Stay |
Indefinite onshore |
Until 864 grant |
|
Work |
Unlimited |
Any employer |
|
Medicare |
Full access |
From lodgment date |
|
Study |
Full rights |
HECS-HELP eligible |
|
Travel |
BVB required |
Separate application |
Common Pitfalls & Solutions for Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864
Overcoming the strict legislative rules of the DHAÂ that frequently result in preventable rejections is crucial to maximizing your success with contributing elderly parent visa subclass 864. Due to the strict regulations governing this premium onshore route, even small mistakes in time or documentation can cost thousands of dollars in non-refundable fees.
Given below is the list of common pitfalls that are usually found in the Contributory Aged Parent Visa subclass 864 application process:
Pitfall 1: Under 67 at Lodgment The aged contributory parent visa is strictly reserved for those who have reached the Australian Age Pension age, which is currently 67 years for both men and women as of 2025. Applying even a few days before reaching this milestone will result in an immediate “invalid” application, potentially leaving the parent without a bridging visa and at risk of becoming unlawful. Solution: Use the official Department of Social Services calculator to confirm your exact pension-eligible date before submitting your subclass 864 paperwork. Ensuring you are onshore and of age on the day of lodgment guarantees you receive the vital Bridging Visa A.
Pitfall 2: BoFT Failure (The “Temp Visa” Trap) A common reason for failing the balance of family test is including children who live in Australia but only hold temporary visas, such as Student (500) or Graduate (485) visas. Under current law, these children are not considered “eligible” for the BoFT calculation, which can inadvertently tip the scales toward a refusal if the majority of your children are not permanent residents or citizens. Solution: Perform a formal audit of your children’s residency status using the VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) system prior to applying. If you are on the borderline, wait until a child secures permanent residency to ensure you pass the 50% threshold required for the parent visa australia program.
Pitfall 3: BVA Travel (Automatic Cancellation): Many applicants applying for this visa program, mistakenly believe the contributory aged parent visa bridging visa (BVA) allows for the access to international travel, but leaving Australia on a BVA will result in its automatic cancellation. If a parent departs without the proper permission from the concerned authorities, they will not be allowed to re-enter, and their permanent residency application may be placed at risk.
Solution: You must apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB) at least 2–3 weeks before any planned international departure. This “travel facility” ensures your 864 application remains active and allows for a lawful return to Australia after your trip.
Pitfall 4: Health Decline and PIC 4005 Because the 864 visa is governed by Public Interest Criterion 4005, there is absolutely no possibility of a health waiver for conditions deemed to be a “significant cost” (currently $86,000 as of 2025). If a parent develops a chronic condition during the 10–15 year contributory aged parent visa 864 processing time, the application will be refused regardless of the family’s financial status. Solution: Secure a preliminary health check and generate a HAP ID for pre-lodgment examinations to identify any potential “red flag” conditions early. Knowing your medical standing upfront prevents your family from committing to the $48k+ contributory aged parent visa cost for a pathway that may not be medically viable.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 FAQs
The processing time for Contributory aged parent visa 864 is usually 10-15 years for new applications for onshore 67+ parents. Priority over non-contributory aged parent visa (30+ years), processing June 2018 EOIs via contributory quotas.​
The Cost for Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 will be Approx AUD 61k-65k (VAC 4,885 + 43k surcharge + 10k AoS) for Single Parent.
Those parents who belong to the 67+ age group and are presently resident in Australia have been advised that the Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 would be most suited. Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143 will apply for parents who belong to any age group and are living outside Australia. Both have an approximate 10-15 year wait-list period.
Official name for the Partner Visa subclass 309—temporary offshore partner visa preceding permanent residency grant.​
Yes, Contributory aged parent temporary visa subclass 884 will bring automatic Subclass 864 permanent upgrade without an application.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 waits 10-15 years vs aged parent visa 804 (30+ years). Contributory funding accelerates processing.​
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