Contributory Aged Parent Visas: A Guide to Subclass 884 and Subclass 864
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
- Contributory Aged Parent Visas (Subclass 173/143)
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Two-Step Process: Subclass 884 to Subclass 864
The two-step pathway allows you to reduce the financial burden by spreading the cost of permanent residency across two applications.
Step 1: Subclass 884 (Temporary)
- Duration
- 2 years
- Cost
- AUD 34,025
- Benefits
- Live in Australia for up to 2 years.
- Work and study without government financial support.
- Apply for the permanent Subclass 864 visa during this period.
- Limitations
- No extensions; must transition to Subclass 864 or another visa.
Step 2: Subclass 864 (Permanent)
- Duration
- Permanent residency.
- Cost
- AUD 48,495 (spread across two stages).
- Benefits
- Live indefinitely in Australia.
- Enroll in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare scheme.
- Sponsor relatives to join you in Australia.
- Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
Direct Application for Subclass 864
For those who prefer to avoid the two-step process, you can directly apply for the Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa. While this option involves a higher upfront cost, it provides immediate permanent residency upon approval.
One step proccess
- Duration
- Permanent residency.
- Cost
- AUD 48,495.
- Benefits
- Immediate access to permanent residency benefits, including Medicare and work rights.
- Flexibility to sponsor family members.
- Unlimited travel to and from Australia for five years.
General Eligibility and Assurance of Support for
Subclass 884 and Subclass 864
Whether you choose the two-step process (Subclass 884 transitioning to Subclass 864) or apply directly for the Subclass 864 visa, the eligibility criteria and Assurance of Support (AoS) requirements remain consistent. These criteria are designed to ensure applicants have strong family ties to Australia and adequate financial support.
General Eligibility
- Be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension.
- Have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Sponsors must provide evidence of being settled in Australia, typically for at least two years.
- At least half of your children must live permanently in Australia, or more children must reside in Australia than in any other single country.
- Meet Australia’s health and character standards. Family members included in the application must also meet these requirements, even if they are not migrating.
- Be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying for or transitioning to these visas.
Assurance of Support (AoS)
An AoS is a financial commitment provided by your sponsor or another eligible assurer to cover any welfare payments you may claim during your initial years in Australia. This ensures you do not become a financial burden on the government.
- Who Provides AoS: Typically, your child sponsor acts as the assurer. If they are unable, another eligible person or organization may take on this role.
- AoS Bond: A refundable bond is required, deposited with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
- Duration of AoS:
- Subclass 884 (Temporary): The AoS period is up to 2 years.
- Subclass 864 (Permanent): The AoS period extends to 10 years.
- Bond Refund: After the AoS period, the assurer can request a refund of the bond if no recoverable welfare payments were made.
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Benefits of Choosing the Two-Step Pathway
The two-step process (Subclass 884 to Subclass 864) is ideal for families who wish to spread the cost over time. By first applying for the Subclass 884 visa, you gain temporary residence in Australia, providing time to plan financially for the permanent visa.
However, if you have the financial means, a direct Subclass 864 application can simplify the process and provide faster access to permanent residency benefits.
Processing Times and Considerations
Demand for these visas exceeds availability, leading to lengthy processing times. Your application may take longer if it is incomplete, requires additional information, or faces verification delays. Both visas are subject to capping and queueing, so timely and accurate submission is essential.
Let Sleek Migration Simplify Your Journey
Navigating the Contributory Aged Parent Visa process can be complex, whether you choose the two-step pathway or a direct application. At Sleek Migration, we specialize in guiding families through every stage of the visa application process.
Why Choose Us?
- We evaluate your unique situation to recommend the best visa pathway.
- Our experts ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements.
- We help you understand and manage visa costs effectively.
- From initial application to visa grant, we provide comprehensive assistance.
Contact Sleek Migration today to discuss your options for Contributory Aged Parent Visas. Let us help you bring your family closer and achieve your dream of living in Australia.
FAQs
Which Parent Visa is Right for Me?
Choosing the right visa depends on your parents’ age, whether they want permanent or temporary residency, and how quickly they need to move to Australia. The main types include:
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173, 864/884): Higher fees, but generally shorter processing times (around 10 years).
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103, 804): Lower fees, but very long waiting periods (up to 30 years).
- Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870): Temporary stay for up to 3 or 5 years, with fewer requirements but no direct pathway to permanent residence. Processing can be a few months.
Example Scenario:
Alice wants her 70-year-old mother to move permanently to Australia as soon as possible. She looks into a Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) because even though the cost is higher, the wait time (about 10 years) is still much shorter than the 30-year queue for a non-contributory visa.
What Are the Costs of These Parent Visas?
Costs vary significantly depending on the visa type:
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173, 864/884): Approx. AUD 50,000 (paid in stages for temporary-to-permanent pathways).
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103, 804): Approx. AUD 5,000, but with very long wait times.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870): Around AUD 6,000 for a 3-year visa and AUD 11,000 for a 5-year visa.
Example Scenario:
John’s parents are relatively young and are not in a rush to move. They choose the Subclass 103 (Parent Visa), paying lower fees of around AUD 5,000, knowing they might have to wait up to 30 years.
How Long Does It Take to Process Each Visa?
Processing times are one of the biggest factors in choosing a parent visa:
- Contributory Parent Visas (143, 864): Around 10 years.
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (103, 804): Up to 30 years.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (870): Usually a few months.
Example Scenario:
Amelia’s father wants to visit and stay in Australia within a year. Amelia opts for the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa because it can be granted in a few months.
What Is the Balance-of-Family Test?
The Balance-of-Family (BoF) test requires that at least half of the applicant’s children are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, or that more children live in Australia than any other single country.
- Contributory Parent and Non-Contributory Parent Visas: Must satisfy the BoF test.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870): No BoF test required.
Example Scenario:
David has three children: two live in Australia, one lives in Canada. He meets the BoF test because two out of three children are in Australia, so he can apply for a Contributory Parent Visa.
What is an Assurance of Support and Who Can Provide It?
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial commitment designed to ensure that certain visa applicants (and their family members) do not become a burden on Australia’s social security system. If the assuree accesses select welfare benefits, the assurer is liable to repay these costs to the government.
- Who can be an assurer?
- Typically, a family member living in Australia, but anyone meeting the required income threshold can be an assurer.
- Organizations (companies or unincorporated bodies) can also act as assurers.
- Joint Assurers (up to three people) can combine incomes to meet AoS income requirements.
Example:
If Emily sponsors her parents for a Parent Visa, she may need to provide an AoS as part of the visa application. She (and possibly her spouse) must demonstrate sufficient taxable income to meet the AoS requirements.
When is Assurance of Support Mandatory and How Does the Bond Work?
Certain visa subclasses—particularly Parent Visas, Remaining Relative Visas, and Aged Dependent Relative Visas—require a Mandatory (Bonded) Assurance of Support:
- Bond Lodgement:
- For most parent/relative visas, a bond is held for 2 years.
- For Contributory Parent Visas, the bond is held for 10 years.
- Welfare Repayments:
- If the visa holder receives specific Centrelink payments, these are deducted from the bond first.
- If the payments exceed the bond amount, the assurer must cover the difference.
Example:
When Vijay applies for a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) for his mother, the 10-year bond requirement means that if she claims certain social security benefits, Vijay’s bond is used first to cover those costs.
What Are the Income Requirements and Current Bond Amounts for AoS?
- Income Requirements:
- The assurer must provide Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for the past two financial years.
- They must show current proof of income (payslips or a letter from their employer) at or above the required threshold.
- Assets are generally not considered unless it is a Discretionary AoS and the income is just under the statutory minimum.
- Bond Amounts:
| Visa Type | Bond Amount Before 1 Apr 2019 | Bond Amount On or After 1 Apr 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Contributory Parent & Contributory Aged Parent Visas |
Primary Applicant = $10,000 Secondary Applicant = $4,000 |
Primary Applicant = $15,000 Secondary Applicant = $6,000 |
| All Other Parent and Relative Visas |
Primary Applicant = $5,000 Secondary Applicant = $2,000 |
Primary Applicant = $7,500 Secondary Applicant = $3,000 |
If Noor sponsors both of her parents under a Contributory Parent Visa, she will need to lodge a $15,000 bond per parent (or $30,000 total) if both parents are primary applicants.
Can We Apply for the Visa Onshore or Offshore?
It depends on the visa subtype:
- Onshore Visas (Subclass 804, 864, 884): You must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
- Offshore Visas (Subclass 103, 143, 173): You must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
- Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870): Apply offshore, but you can visit Australia on another visa if eligible before the decision.
Example Scenario:
Maria’s mother is already in Australia on a visitor visa. Because she’s over 65, they decide to apply onshore for the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) so she can remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa while waiting.
How Does the Two-Step Parent Visa Pathway Work?
The two-step pathway involves first applying for a temporary Contributory Parent Visa and later transitioning to a permanent Contributory Parent Visa:
- Offshore Pathway: Subclass 173 (Temporary) → Subclass 143 (Permanent).
- Onshore Pathway: Subclass 884 (Temporary) → Subclass 864 (Permanent).
This approach spreads out the cost over two stages and allows parents to remain lawfully in Australia (for onshore) or outside Australia (for offshore) during processing.
Example Scenario:
Ethan chooses the Subclass 884 → 864 pathway for his elderly parents because they prefer to stay onshore in Australia while waiting for permanent residency. They pay part of the fee for Subclass 884 first and the rest later when applying for Subclass 864.
What Are the Requirements for the 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?
Key requirements include:
- Sponsorship by an approved Australian child who is a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
- Sponsorship application must be approved before the visa application.
- Health and character requirements.
- No Balance-of-Family test is required.
Example Scenario:
Grace’s son is an Australian permanent resident. He successfully becomes an approved sponsor, allowing Grace to apply for the Subclass 870 visa to stay with him for up to 5 years.
Is There a Pathway to Permanent Residency via the 870 Visa?
No, the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency. It allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years, renewable up to a maximum of 10 years in total, but does not itself lead to permanent residence. If you want a permanent visa, you’ll need to explore other Parent Visa options (e.g., 143, 864, 103, etc.).
Example Scenario:
Henry’s parents need to help with their grandchildren in Australia. They choose the 870 Visa for a shorter stay, knowing they’ll need to investigate a separate permanent visa pathway if they decide to settle permanently.
Where Should I Start If I Want to Apply?
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you (the sponsor) and your parents (the applicants) meet the basic requirements (age, sponsorship, health, character).
- Decide on Visa Type: Balance cost, processing time, and whether you want permanent or temporary residency.
- Gather Documentation: Proof of relationship, health checks, police checks, financials for AoS, etc.
- Consider Professional Advice: A migration agent or lawyer can help you navigate complex situations, especially for older parents or tight timelines.
Example Scenario:
Priya consults a migration agent to discuss her mother’s options. After an eligibility assessment, they decide that the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is the best fit.
If I Hold a Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent) Visa, Can I Apply for a Contributory Parent Visa?
No. However, it is possible to do the reverse (i.e., have applied for a Contributory Parent Visa and then later apply for a 870 if you meet the eligibility requirements).
