The 884:the 864 in two stages,with two years of Medicarebefore the permanent one.
For a parent here and over 67, the 884 splits the contributory charge: $6,300 now, $29,130 at release, then the 864 at about $19,920 two years later. The parent waits on a bridging visa like the 864, then holds the 884 for two years with Medicare and work rights, then becomes permanent. Same 15 years queue.
Subclass 884, the numbers
- First instalment, main applicantat lodgement, on paper$6,300
- Second instalment, each applicantat release, before the temporary grant$29,130
- 864 stage, each applicantapproximate reduced charges for 884 holders$19,920
- Assurance of Supportat the 864 stage, refundable$10,000
- Wait, new applicationon a bridging visa in Australia15 years
As at 1 July 2026. The 864 stage figures are confirmed by the Department at the time.
Same stay as the 864, the money in two parts, and Medicare two years before permanent residence.
The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) is a two year temporary visa for a parent in Australia who has reached age pension age, 67, and the first stage of a two stage route to the permanent subclass 864. It comes with a bridging visa for the wait, is released from the contributory queue after about 15 years, and costs $35,430 per parent, with the later 864 at roughly $19,920.
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).
884 first, or straight to the 864? 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 to spread the charge
Two payments two years apart.
- 02
Suits: families who value two years of Medicare and work rights before the permanent stage
Both come with the 884 itself.
- 03
Suits: parents who want to stay in Australia throughout
Bridging visa, then the 884, then the 864.
- 04
Not for: anyone expecting the 884 to be quicker
Same queue as the 864.
- 05
Not for: a parent with condition 8503 on their visa
Invalid unless waived.
- 06
Not for: a parent under 67 or outside Australia
The 173 is the equivalent.
What the 884 requires.
The 864 gates, plus the timing of the second stage.
- 01
Age pension age
67 or over at lodgement.
- 02
A visa that allows the application
No condition 8503, or a waiver.
- 03
A settled sponsor and the balance of family test
As for every permanent parent visa.
- 04
Health and character
Checked at queuing and again before each grant.
- 05
No 870 on the record
Home Affairs: not already applied for or holding a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.
- 06
The 864 lodged in time
While the 884 is in effect, or within the short window the regulations allow after it ceases, at reduced charges.
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, on paper | $6,300 |
| First instalment, second parent | Lodgement, approximate | $3,150 |
| Second instalment, each applicant | Release, about 15 years later | $29,130 |
| 864 stage, each applicant | About two years after the 884 grant, approximate | $19,920 |
| Assurance of Support bond | At the 864 stage, refundable after ten years | $10,000 |
| Private health cover, per parent per year | While on the bridging visa | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Our professional fee | Fixed, staged across both applications | On request |
Medicare begins when the 884 itself is granted, not on the bridging visa.
Bridging visa, then two years, then permanent.
For an 884 lodged in 2026.
Before lodgement
No condition 8503, age 67, family count met, and the direct 864 compared on cash flow.
Weeks 1 to 8: lodgement and Bridging Visa A
Paper application with $6,300. Bridging visa takes effect when the current visa ends.
Years 1 to 14: waiting here
No Medicare unless from a reciprocal country. Changes and the second instalment forecast managed.
Final 12 months: 884 granted
Fresh checks and $29,130. Granted while the parent is in Australia.
Years 15 to 17: the 884, then the 864
Medicare and work rights. The 864 lodged before the 884 expires at about $19,920, granted onshore.
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 884, answered plainly.
Is the 884 faster than the 864?
No. Both are released from the same contributory queue on the same dates, about 15 years for a new application. The 884 splits the charge and gives two years of Medicare and work rights before permanent residence.
What does the 884 cost?
$6,300 at lodgement and $29,130 at release, $35,430 for the main applicant, then about $19,920 per applicant at the 864 stage.
Does the bridging visa give Medicare?
No. Medicare starts when the 884 is granted, about 15 years after lodgement on current estimates. Parents from a reciprocal health care country have limited cover while waiting.
Why choose the 884 over a direct 864?
Cash flow. The 864 asks for $43,600 per parent in one payment at release. The 884 route pays $29,130 then about $19,920 two years later, for a second application.
Can my parent leave Australia while waiting?
Only with a Bridging Visa B granted first. Leaving on a Bridging Visa A ends it.
Where this visa connects.
- 864Open
Contributory Aged Parent 864
Onshore, pension age, permanent in about 15 years.
- 804Open
Aged Parent 804
Onshore, pension age, bridging visa for a 33 years queue.
- 173Open
Contributory Parent (Temporary) 173
Same queue as the 143, cost split across two stages.
- All 7Open
Parent visas compared
The pathfinder, the cost stack and the queue timeline.
884 first, or the 864 in one go?
We put both on a cash flow for your family and give you a fixed fee for the stages, in writing.