Reunite with your Parents in Australia

by Paul Formosa

January 30, 2017

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The Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) allows for older parents to permanently live in Australia.  The primary requirement is for the applicant(s) to be a parent(s) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled* in Australia.  Applying for this type of visa can often be time consuming and feel overwhelming, which is why we’re here to help you get started.

Benefits of an Aged Parent visa

The Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) is a permanent residence visa for aged parents.  It enables you and any member of your family who has been approved for this visa to:-

  • stay in Australia indefinitely
  • work and study in Australia
  • enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses
  • apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
  • sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
  • travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return visa or another visa to return to Australia).

Requirements for Aged Parent visa Application

There are a number of specific requirements you need to meet in order to be eligible for an Aged Parent visa.  You can apply for an Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) if you:-

  • have a child who is a settled* Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • meet the Aged Parent visa age requirements
  • meet the balance-of-family test which measures a family’s ties to Australia
  • meet health and character requirements
  • have a sponsor who is a settled* Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

If you’re unsure about whether you meet these requirements, our qualified Migration Agent will be able to assist you.

Alternative Options to the Aged Parent visa

There is significant demand for the Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) and, as a result, the visa may not be granted for years to come.  Rather than waiting this time, you could also consider a Contributory Aged Parent visa, which is typically approved within two years.

If you do wish to speed up the process by applying for a Contributory Parent visa, you will experience a higher application charge.  There are two options for the Contributory Aged Parent visa:-

  • the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) gives you a two-stage visa pathway in which you can first apply for a temporary visa and later for a permanent visa
  • the Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) is a permanent visa that lets you pay the full costs of Contributory Parent migration through just one visa application.

More Information about the Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804)

If you have any questions about your eligibility or need some assistance with the application process please get in touch with our qualified Migration Lawyers. We are experts in migration law and have helped thousands of people with their visa applications.

To see whether you are eligible for this visa, to find out more information, or to apply, visit our Aged Parent visa page.

*Settled: A person is considered settled if they are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is lawfully resident in Australia for a reasonable period. In normal circumstances, two years is considered to be a reasonable period. Sponsors who have been absent from Australia for extended periods prior to lodging their sponsorship may be required to provide documentary evidence to determine whether the settled requirement is met.

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About the author

Paul Formosa

Director

LLB

Paul commenced employment with Macrossan and Amiet in late 2010 and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland at Rockhampton in 2012.

Born and bred in Mackay, on completion of his senior schooling Paul moved to Townsville to obtain his Bachelor of Laws at James Cook University.

Paul provides clients with advice and assistance with a wide variety of legal matters with a focus on the areas of commercial law, securities law, property law (with a particular interest in rural transactions), and succession planning. In 2016 Paul undertook intensive and specialised migration law training enabling him to assist clients in relation to a wide variety of migration law enquiries including Business Visas, Family Visas, Skilled Visas and Employer Sponsored Visas.

Paul is married to Janelle, and they have three daughters, Lucia, Harriet and Josephine.  Being fishing tragic, Paul enjoys spending weekends with his family out in the boat around Seaforth

Paul is available by appointment in Proserpine.

About Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors

For over 100 years, Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors has been a leading local law firm in Mackay, with offices in Proserpine and Cannonvale servicing the Whitsundays region. Our experienced solicitors provide professional legal services to individuals, families and businesses across regional Queensland.

Whether you need representation in court, assistance buying or selling property, or advice on protecting your assets, our Mackay lawyers are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you.

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