VISA FOR OLDER/AGED PARENTS (SUBCLASS 804)
If their child is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or qualified New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia, the Australian Aged Parent visa allows older parents who are already on temporary visas to stay in Australia permanently.
There is now a huge line in the processing of this visa, with wait durations of up to 13 years until it is accepted. Eligible old parents may desire to apply for the Contributory Aged Parent visa, but that visa will have a higher application fee and will require an Assurance of Support bond.
Requirements
- You must have a child who is one of the following:
- a citizen of Australia
- a permanent resident of Australia, or
- a citizen of New Zealand who qualifies
- If your child is under the age of 18, you could be sponsored by:
- the spouse of one of your children (must be over 18 and an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen)
- a close family member or your child’s legal guardian
- a close family member or the spouse of your child’s legal guardian
- a non-profit organization serving the community
- To meet the age criteria, male parents must be 65 years old or older.
| DOB: before 30 June 1944 | Minimum age: 63 years |
|---|---|
| DOB: 1 July 1944 – 31 December 1945 | Minimum age: 63.5 years |
| DOB: 1 January 1946 – 30 June 1947 | Minimum age: 64 years |
| DOB: 1 July 1947 – 31 December 1948 | Minimum age: 64.5 years |
| DOB: 1 January 1949 and later | Minimum age: 65 years |
Parents who are older will additionally have to pass the “balance of family” exam, which requires that they:
- Half of your children must be Australian permanent residents, or you must have more permanent residents in Australia than in any other country.
- You must also have a person or organization willing to offer you with an Assurance of Support pledge.
- Assurance of Support is a legal promise to supply you with financial assistance so that you do not have to rely on government assistance.
- You can have up to three (3) people who can assure you of their support.
- In addition, you must meet specific health and character standards.
Entitlements
- This visa permits elderly parents to live permanently in Australia with their children.
- From the date the visa is granted, you will be able to travel to and from Australia for a duration of five (5) years (aged parents will need to apply for a resident return visa or another visa to return to Australia after this period).
- In Australia, you will be able to work and study.
- You will be able to join Medicare, Australia’s health-care and expense-reimbursement program.
- When you reach the age of eligibility, apply for Australian citizenship.
- You will have to wait for social security payments or the age pension because you will not be eligible to them automatically:
- For most social security payments, two (2) years from the day the visa was granted; and
- For age and disability pension payments, you have ten (10) years from the day the visa was granted.
Who Might Be Eligible for this Visa?
If you are granted this visa, you and any extra family members must abide by all Australian laws.
THE SPONSOR
You would be expected to assist your family members and aid them in settling in Australia as the sponsor by providing the following:
- moral assistance
- a suitable location
- monetary/ Financial assistance
The sponsor is responsible for these duties during the first two years of residency.
ADDITIONAL FACTORS
ASSURER OF SUPPORT
The assurer is required to do the following:
- provide enough financial support so that you or any accompanying family members do not need government assistance, and
- Any recoverable social security payments, including those made by Centrelink to you and anyone protected by the Assurance of Support, must be reimbursed to the Australian Government.
- Before the visa is approved, you must pay a refundable security deposit.
From the time you and any accompanying family members arrive in Australia, the Assurance of Support must be in place for two years.
CERTIFICATION OF SUPPORT
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a legal agreement between a sponsor, a family member, an organization, or any other person who may be eligible to be an assurer and the Australian Government to repay certain social security payments made to a person or their family members applying to migrate to Australia during their AoS period.
