The 864:the 143 for a parentalready here and over 67,with a bridging visa to stay.
Same charge as the 143, $49,900 per parent. Same wait, about 15 years. One difference that changes everything: the 864 is lodged and granted in Australia, so the parent stays with the family on a bridging visa for the whole queue. Whenever a parent is here and 67 or over, this is usually the visa.
Subclass 864, the numbers
- First instalment, main applicantat lodgement$6,300
- Second instalment, each applicantat release$43,600
- Second parent, first instalmentapproximate$3,150
- Assurance of Support bondten years, refundable$10,000
- Wait, new applicationspent in Australia on a bridging visa15 years
As at 1 July 2026. Private health cover for the waiting years is extra.
The permanent visa for a parent who is here and over 67. The bridging visa is why it beats the 143.
The Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) is the permanent contributory parent visa for a parent in Australia who has reached age pension age, 67. It costs $49,900 per parent, the same as the 143, and Home Affairs estimates about 15 years for a new application. Unlike the 143, it is lodged and granted onshore, and a Bridging Visa A lets the parent remain in Australia for the wait, usually with work rights, without Medicare unless from a reciprocal country or after holding an 884.
Verified as at 1 July 2026 against the Department of Home Affairs visa pages and the Parent visas queue release dates page (as at 31 May 2026).
Is the 864 open? A 30 second check
Answer the questions to see where you stand.
A guide only, not legal advice. The consultation is where the real answer comes from.
Who it is for, and who should look elsewhere.
Most wrong choices happen here, before any form is filled.
- 01
Suits: a parent here and over 67 whose family wants residence in a known timeframe
About 15 years, at home.
- 02
Suits: families who can plan for $43,600 at release
Nothing beyond $6,300 is due now.
- 03
Suits: parents who want to live and work here through the wait
The bridging visa usually allows work.
- 04
Not for: a parent whose visa carries condition 8503
Invalid unless waived.
- 05
Not for: a parent under 67 or outside Australia
The 143 is the equivalent, without a bridging visa.
- 06
Not for: families who cannot plan for the second instalment
The 804 gives the same stay for a fifth of the charge.
What the 864 requires.
Age, the right visa to lodge from, and the permanent parent gates.
How bridging visas work- 01
Age pension age
67 or over on the day of lodgement.
- 02
A visa that allows the application
No condition 8503, or a waiver for compelling and compassionate circumstances that arose after grant.
- 03
A settled sponsor and the balance of family test
As for every permanent parent visa. All children of the parent and their current partner count.
- 04
Health and character
Checked at queuing and again before grant.
- 05
An Assurance of Support
$10,000 plus $4,000 per adult dependant, ten years, refundable, before grant.
- 06
No 870 on the record
Home Affairs: not already applied for or holding a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.
What it costs, in the order the money leaves.
Main applicant, from 1 July 2026. The Department adds a surcharge for card payments. Health, police and translation costs are extra.
| Item | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First instalment, main applicant | Lodgement | $6,300 |
| First instalment, second parent | Lodgement, approximate | $3,150 |
| Second instalment, each applicant | Release, about 15 years later | $43,600 |
| Assurance of Support bond | Before grant, refundable after ten years | $10,000 |
| Private health cover, per parent per year | Every year on the bridging visa | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Health and police checks, per person | Queuing and release | $600 to $900 |
| Our professional fee | Fixed, staged across lodgement and release | On request |
The 884 first route pays $29,130 at release and about $19,920 two years later instead of $43,600 at once.
How an 864 runs, at home.
For an 864 lodged in 2026.
Before lodgement: the current visa
No condition 8503, age 67, family count met. We also compare the 884 first route on cash flow.
Weeks 1 to 8: lodgement and Bridging Visa A
Lodged in ImmiAccount with $6,300. The bridging visa takes effect when the current visa ends.
Months 1 to 6: queue date
Core criteria checked, queue date in the contributory queue.
Years 1 to 14: waiting here
Bridging Visa B for any travel. Health cover, changes and the second instalment forecast managed.
Final 12 months: release
Fresh checks, the bond with Services Australia and $43,600, then grant while the parent is in Australia.
Government charges for one or two parents.
Set the second parent line to 1 for a couple. Use the cost stack on the parent visas page for bonds, checks and health cover.
As at 1 July 2026. Bond, health, police and our fixed fee are extra.
The 864, answered plainly.
What is the difference between the 864 and the 143?
Cost and wait are the same. The 864 must be lodged and granted while the parent is in Australia and needs the parent to be 67 or over. In return the parent gets a bridging visa to remain here for the wait. The 143 gives none.
Does the 864 bridging visa include Medicare?
No, unless the parent is from a reciprocal health care country or previously held an 884. Private cover is strongly advised for the waiting years.
When is the $43,600 paid?
At release, shortly before grant, about 15 years after lodgement on current estimates. Only $6,300 is paid at lodgement.
Can my parent work on the bridging visa?
Bridging Visa A holders with a parent visa application usually have work rights. We confirm the conditions on the grant notice.
What if the visitor visa has No further stay?
Condition 8503 makes an onshore 864 application invalid. A waiver needs compelling and compassionate circumstances that arose after the visitor visa was granted. Otherwise the parent would leave and consider the 143.
Where this visa connects.
- 884Open
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) 884
Two years with Medicare, then a cheaper 864.
- 804Open
Aged Parent 804
Onshore, pension age, bridging visa for a 33 years queue.
- 143Open
Contributory Parent 143
Permanent. $6,300 now, $43,600 at release, about 15 years.
- BridgingOpen
Bridging visas
How an onshore parent stays lawful while waiting.
Parent here, over 67? Start with the 864.
We confirm the count and the current visa, compare the 864, 884 and 804 on your family's cash flow, and give you a fixed fee in writing.