Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864)

The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is a permanent residency visa for older parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It closely resembles the subclass 143 visa but is tailored for applicants who meet Australia’s age requirement for the age pension, currently set at 67 years.

Unlike some other parent visas, the 864 visa must be applied for while the applicant is in Australia. Once submitted, you’ll typically be granted a bridging visa, which allows you to stay in the country during the processing period. This bridging visa also gives you full rights to work.

If you’re concerned about the cost, you have the option to apply for the subclass 884 temporary aged parent visa first. This allows you to spread the visa cost over a couple of years before applying for the 864 visa.

Do 864 visa holders have access to Medicare?
Yes. Once your 864 visa is approved, you will be eligible to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care system. While waiting for a decision, you may be eligible for limited Medicare access if your country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. If not, private health insurance is recommended during this period.

Is it possible to include a spouse or partner in the 864 visa application?
Yes. You can add your partner to the application, and they will be assessed and processed as part of the same visa.