Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)
Visa Cost
AUD 5,040
2025-26 first-instalment base VAC (primary applicant) AUD 5,040; additional applicants aged 18 and over AUD 2,515 each, under 18 AUD 1,260 each. Second-instalment VAC of about AUD 29,130 per person before grant. The 884 is valid 2 years and is a bridge to 864 permanent residence; it must be applied for and granted onshore. Credit cards add a surcharge of about 1.4%.
Processing Time
About 12-24 months
Eligibility
- The applicant is the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen settled in Australia
- Must have reached Australian Age Pension age (aged)
- You must be in Australia at both application and grant (not in immigration clearance)
- There is an eligible sponsoring child
- Pass the balance-of-family test
- An Assurance of Support (AoS) and a bond are required
- Meet health and character requirements; you cannot hold a visa with an 8503/no further stay condition (unless waived)
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
Temporary visa, allowing 2 years of residence in Australia (from the grant date), with work/study rights and multiple entries; non-renewable and non-extendable.
Eligible Dependants
Can include eligible dependent family unit members such as the spouse/de facto partner in the application.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
This visa is a temporary visa (valid 2 years) and does not grant PR directly; as the first step of the two-step path, you can later apply for the Contributory Aged Parent (permanent) visa 864 to move to permanent residence.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Application Steps
Confirm age and onshore status
Confirm age and onshore status
Check pension age and lawful status in Australia
- Confirm you have reached pension age
- Confirm the current visa has no 8503 restriction or it has been waived, allowing onshore lodgement
- Check the balance-of-family test and sponsoring child eligibility
Lodge subclass 884 onshore
Lodge subclass 884 onshore
Apply onshore and pay the first-instalment VAC
- Complete the contributory aged parent temporary application form, with the child completing Form 40 sponsorship
- Upload identity, age, relationship and children's residence materials
- Pay the first-instalment VAC (primary applicant AUD 5,040)
Bridging visa, health and character
Bridging visa, health and character
Hold a bridging visa and complete the requirements while waiting
- Onshore applications usually receive a Bridging Visa A for lawful stay
- Obtain a HAP ID, complete the immigration health examination and submit police clearances
- The assurer lodges the AoS and pays the bond
Pay second instalment and get 884
Pay second instalment and get 884
Receive the temporary visa after paying the contribution
- Pay the second-instalment VAC (about AUD 29,130 per person)
- You must be onshore at grant
- After 884 is granted you can reside in Australia for 2 years
Apply for subclass 864 before expiry
Apply for subclass 864 before expiry
Apply for 864 while holding 884 to obtain permanent residence
- Apply for the 864 Contributory Aged Parent (permanent) visa before 884 expires
- The 864 second instalment is concessional for 884 holders (a difference of about AUD 14,470)
- Permanent residence is obtained once 864 is granted
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contributory aged parent (temporary) application form | Contributory aged parent (temporary) application form | The main application form, setting out personal, age and family information | Complete online; emphasise reaching pension age and onshore status | |
| Sponsorship for migration to Australia (Form 40) | Sponsorship for migration to Australia (Form 40) | Completed by the sponsoring child | Attach Australian status and about 2 years of settlement proof | |
| Passport and proof of age | Passport and proof of age | Prove identity and that you have reached pension age | Check the current Services Australia pension age standard | |
| Onshore status / current visa evidence | Onshore status / current visa evidence | Prove you were onshore at lodgement with no 8503 restriction | If you have no further stay, apply for a waiver first; keep VEVO/entry records | |
| Notarised parent-child relationship certificate | Notarised parent-child relationship certificate | Prove the relationship with the sponsoring child | Birth certificate/one-child certificate/household register + notarial kinship certificate, NAATI-translated | |
| Evidence of all children's residence | Evidence of all children's residence | Balance-of-family test materials | Identity/residence evidence for onshore and offshore children is complete | |
| Assurance of Support | Assurance of Support | The assurer undertakes financial support and pays the bond | The bond is per the current Services Australia rates | |
| Health examination | Health examination | Meet health requirements | Older applicants have the health examination at a panel clinic with the HAP ID | |
| Police clearance certificates | Police clearance certificates | Police clearances from each country of long-term residence | Notarised and translated Chinese police clearance | |
| Second instalment VAC payment | Second instalment VAC payment | About AUD 29,130 per person | Paid after the Department's notice; moving to 864 later also requires paying the difference | |
| Private health insurance evidence | Private health insurance evidence | Temporary visa holders are advised to hold private health insurance | China and Australia have no Medicare reciprocity; private insurance is recommended to cover medical costs during temporary residence |
FAQ
Which should you choose, 884 or 864?
Can 884 holders use Medicare?
What is pension age? Do my parents meet it?
What happens if you do not apply for 864 before 884 expires?
Common Refusal Reasons
- Not reaching the Australian Age Pension age requirement
- Failing the balance-of-family test
- The sponsor is ineligible or did not undertake to provide accommodation and financial support
- No Assurance of Support was provided or it was not approved
- The applicant failed the health or character requirement
- Not being onshore (this visa must be applied for onshore) or being in immigration clearance at application
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.