Subclass 884 / A staged pathway for eligible aged parents
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)
A considered step. A plan for what follows.
Understand the temporary aged-parent stage before choosing a longer-term route. We help you check onshore eligibility and plan the later permanent application and costs.
- Visa type
- Temporary
- Stay
- Up to 2 years
- Possible next stage
- Separate subclass 864 application
What this pathway offers
Two applications. One considered plan.
The 884 is the temporary contributory option for qualifying aged parents in Australia. A later 864 application is a separate step.
A temporary stay after grant
The granted visa permits a stay of up to two years, with work and study rights under its framework.
Stage the charges
Spread contributory visa charges across the 884 and 864 applications, while recognising that the combined route generally costs more.
Prepare for the next stage
Keep the permanent-stage application, charges and support requirements in view from the beginning.
The requirements in context
What needs to line up.
This pathway has aged-parent, onshore and contributory requirements. The key checks include:
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Age and location
The primary applicant must meet Age Pension age, currently 67. Applicants must be in Australia, outside immigration clearance, at application and decision.
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Family and sponsorship
Usually, an eligible settled adult child sponsors the application. Check the family relationship, sponsor status and settlement evidence.
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The balance-of-family test
The formal test applies to a standard application. Review all relevant children and stepchildren and their status and residence.
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Visa history and other requirements
Review current visa conditions, No Further Stay restrictions, earlier refusals or cancellations, any 870 application or visa, and the health and character requirements.
A temporary stage still requires a long-term view.
The initial 884 application is capped and queued. The two-year stay describes the visa after grant, rather than how quickly the application will be decided.
The visa does not become permanent automatically. Plan the separate 864 application before expiry, with its additional charges and usual Assurance of Support requirements.
A plan you can follow
From your family plans to the next step.
We help you decide whether the staged approach fits and what to prepare for each application.
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Review onshore eligibility
Check age, current visa, conditions and family circumstances before choosing the temporary-stage route.
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Prepare the paper application
Use the required parent and sponsorship forms, supported by identity, relationship and family-test evidence.
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Lodge and manage the application
Follow the current paper lodgement instructions and payment process. Keep your status and correspondence under review while waiting.
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Prepare the permanent stage
After a grant, review the 884 dates and plan the separate 864 application, charges and support requirements before expiry.
Preparation that makes sense
The right records. A clearer application.
Your checklist should reflect the pathway and your circumstances. Depending on the application, it may include:
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Identity records, age evidence and current visa conditions.
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Records explaining the parent-child relationship and family structure.
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Relevant children's status and residence evidence.
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Sponsorship forms and evidence of the sponsor's status and settlement.
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Payment records, translations and health or character material when required.
A little more clarity
Your 884 questions, made clearer.
Start with the essentials, then look at how the requirements apply to your family and circumstances.
How is the 884 different from the 173?
The 884 is for eligible aged parents applying in Australia, with applicants also in Australia at decision. The 173 has no Age Pension age requirement and requires applicants outside Australia at decision. Their corresponding permanent stages are the 864 and 143 respectively.
Can I lodge the 884 online?
The initial 884 application must currently be lodged on paper. Use the current forms, payment and delivery instructions. After acknowledgement, you can import the application into ImmiAccount to manage it. Check the Home Affairs instructions before lodging.
Do I need an Assurance of Support for the 884?
An Assurance of Support is not required for the temporary 884 stage. Sponsorship requirements still apply. Plan separately for the Assurance of Support and bond at the later permanent 864 stage; these are separate from the visa charges.
Is the 864 automatic after two years?
No. The 884 does not convert to permanent residence. You must make a separate 864 application and meet its requirements. Plan to lodge before your 884 expires, including the evidence, charges and Assurance of Support. The 884 cannot be extended.
How long will it take and what will it cost?
The initial 884 application is capped and queued, with substantial waits. The two-year stay begins at grant. Compare charges for both stages; the staged route generally costs more overall than a direct 864 application. Check current queue guidance and visa charges. We explain our professional fees before you proceed.
Your next step starts with you
Understand each stage before you commit.
Share your age, current visa and family circumstances. We will help you compare the temporary stage with the direct permanent pathway.