Parent Visa Cost Comparison: Subclass 804 vs 884+864 in Australia 2026
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs official page for the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 884), as of the October 2026 official page, the two-stage pathway of applying for a Subclass 884 visa and then a permanent Subclass 864 visa costs more than the Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804), and it also costs more than lodging the Subclass 864 visa directly. The trade-off is cash flow: the Subclass 884 route lets applicants spread the cost of the two visas over several years, and the temporary visa itself costs from AUD 35,430 for a single applicant. This article is for general reference only and does not constitute personalised professional advice, so please check your circumstances against the latest official information or a qualified adviser rather than relying on general commentary.
What does the Subclass 884 visa cost, and how is it paid?
The official page states that this visa costs from AUD 35,430 for a single applicant. There are additional charges for each family member who applies with the main applicant, and concessions apply only in limited circumstances.
Payment is split into two parts, called instalments. You need to pay the first instalment when you apply, and the second instalment when the department asks you to.
You might also need to pay other costs for each applicant, such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics. To find out what your visa will cost, the page directs readers to the department's current visa pricing page.
Is the two-stage 884+864 pathway more expensive than Subclass 804?
Yes. The official page says the two-stage visa process — Subclass 884 followed by the permanent Subclass 864 — costs more than the Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804). It also costs more than applying directly for the Subclass 864 visa.
The reason families still choose it is the payment profile. The cost is spread across the two visas over a longer period, because the temporary visa is paid for first and the permanent visa follows later. The page does not list the fee amounts for Subclass 804 or Subclass 864, so those figures need to be confirmed on the department's current visa pricing page.
How does the pathway compare with applying directly for Subclass 864?
Applying directly for the Contributory Aged Parent visa (Subclass 864) costs less than the 884+864 combination. Subclass 864 is a permanent visa, and the official page notes that the department may process Contributory Aged Parent visas faster than the Aged Parent visa, but they cost more than Subclass 804.
Choosing the 884 route means paying more in total, but the cost is spread across the two visas over a longer period rather than paid in one amount. For households planning identity and budget layout, the decision is between total outlay and the timing of payments.
What can parents do on the Subclass 884 visa, and how long does it last?
The Subclass 884 visa is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 2 years, and the visa period starts on the date the visa is granted. The visa allows multiple entry, so parents can travel outside Australia and return as many times as they want within those 2 years.
Parents can work and study in Australia on this visa, but they will not receive government support. The visa cannot be extended or reapplied for; to stay longer, a different visa is needed.
The intended next step is the permanent Subclass 864 visa. The application sequence is:
First, lodge the Subclass 884 application. Then, pay the first instalment when you apply. Later, pay the second instalment when the department asks for it. Finally, apply for the permanent Subclass 864 visa before the Subclass 884 visa expires.
Applying for Subclass 864 before the Subclass 884 visa expires is required to ensure all applicable lodgement criteria are met.
Who can be included, and where must applicants be?
You can include members of your family in your application when you apply. You must include details of all family members in the application form, even if they are not migrating.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet health and character requirements. Family members who are not coming to Australia might also need to meet those requirements.
All applicants, including family members who apply, must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance when they apply and when the department makes a decision. If you apply for this visa in Australia while on a temporary visa with a no further stay condition, your application will be invalid unless you apply for a waiver of that condition.
How long does processing take, and what can delay it?
The demand for Parent visas is greater than the number of places available each year, so processing times are long. Applications for Subclass 884 are subject to capping and queueing, and the department processes them in the order received.
Assessment happens in two stages. First, an initial assessment checks eligibility to either add the application to the queue or refuse it. Then, as places become available, applications are released from the queue for final assessment.
An application might take longer to process if it is not completed correctly, if required documents are missing, or if verification of information takes a long time. The department can only process the application if the correct visa application charge is paid; if the amount is wrong, the department will notify the applicant and may return the application. Applicants should not arrange to stay permanently in Australia until the visa is granted. For migration program outcomes against planning levels, the page refers readers to the department's Reports on Migration Programs.
How do the parent visa options compare?
| Pathway | Cost position on the official page | Payment profile | Stay and work rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804) | Costs less than the 884+864 two-stage process; the page does not list its fee | Not stated on the Subclass 884 page | Not stated on the Subclass 884 page |
| Contributory Aged Parent visa (Subclass 864) | A permanent visa that costs more than Subclass 804, but less than the 884+864 pathway | Not stated on the Subclass 884 page | Permanent visa; the page notes it may be processed faster than Subclass 804 |
| Subclass 884 then Subclass 864 | Costs more than Subclass 804 and more than direct Subclass 864, but spreads cost over a longer period | From AUD 35,430 for a single applicant on 884, paid in two instalments; 864 fee follows later | 884 is temporary: stay up to 2 years, work and study without government support |
Does a lower cost apply from 1 July 2026?
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application. The department charges the lower visa application cost during the application process and recognises eligible applicants through a valid passport from one of the specified countries.
Family members are also eligible for the lower cost, based on the passport of the primary applicant or the visa holder who satisfies the primary visa criteria. The primary applicant must hold a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
What should families budget for beyond the visa charge?
Beyond the base visa application charge, budget for additional charges for each family member who applies. Also budget for other per-applicant costs, which may include health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Because the Subclass 884 visa does not provide government support, living costs in Australia need to be funded privately for the 2-year temporary period. For high-net-worth households planning cross-border residence and status layouts, the key budget question is whether spreading the higher total cost of the 884+864 pathway over several years is worth more than paying the lower total cost of a single-stage option earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Subclass 884+864 more expensive than Subclass 804 in 2026?
Yes. The official Subclass 884 page states that the two-stage visa process costs more than the Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804), and it also costs more than applying directly for Subclass 864. The benefit is that the cost is spread across the two visas over a longer period rather than paid in one amount.
How much is the Subclass 884 visa application charge?
The visa costs from AUD 35,430 for a single applicant. There are additional charges for each family member who applies, and concessions apply only in limited circumstances.
Can the Subclass 884 visa be extended past two years?
No. The visa cannot be extended or reapplied for, and you cannot stay in Australia longer on this visa. To remain longer, you must apply for a different visa, such as the permanent Subclass 864 visa before the Subclass 884 visa expires.
Do parents have work rights on the Subclass 884 visa?
Yes. Parents can work and study in Australia on this visa, but they will not receive government support while on the temporary visa.
Where must applicants be when they apply for Subclass 884?
Applicants and any family members applying with them must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, at the time of application and when the decision is made. An application made while on a temporary visa with a no further stay condition is invalid unless you apply for a waiver of that condition.
Is there a lower visa cost for Pacific Island or Timor-Leste applicants?
From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste pay a lower visa cost when they lodge a valid application. Eligibility is based on holding a valid passport from one of the listed countries, and family members are covered based on the primary applicant's passport.