Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. This is permanent residence for aged parents onshore.

Visa typePermanent

LodgementOnshore

StayPermanent

Work rightsUnlimited

Study rightsYes

Government chargeTwo instalments; second instalment ~$48,640 per applicant

Processing timeSeveral years (faster than non-contributory)

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 864 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Balance-of-family test first
Count the sponsor's siblings: at least half the parent's children must live permanently in Australia (or more in Australia than any other single country). Fail this and no parent visa is possible - test it before taking a retainer.
This stream's twist
Onshore aged-parent version: the parent must be old enough for the age pension and in Australia at application - usually then held on a bridging visa.
Sponsorship and lodgement
The settled child sponsors; lodge and join the queue. Set honest expectations - even the contributory stream runs years.
Queue management
Keep contact details current and health stable; the Department will call the file up for final processing when the queue reaches it.
Assurance of Support and second instalment
At final stage: AoS bond lodged through Services Australia and the large second instalment (~$48,640 per applicant). Clients must plan finances years ahead for this.
Decision and briefing
PR on grant; brief on Medicare enrolment and the RRV travel facility.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 864 is viable.

Be old enough to receive the Australian age pensionPass the balance-of-family testAn eligible sponsor and Assurance of SupportBe in Australia (often on a Bridging visa) at applicationHealth and character requirements

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4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentBalance-of-family evidence: citizenship/residence status of every child of the parentSponsor's status documents and relationship evidenceAssurance of Support arrangements (at the final stage)Funds plan for the second instalment (~$48,640 per applicant)

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5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	Two instalments; second instalment ~$48,640 per applicant
Health examinations (per person)	~$300-500
Police certificates	~$42-150 each
Relationship registration (where used)	State fees vary
Assurance of Support bond (refundable after 10 years for permanent parent visas)	$10,000 primary applicant (indicative)
Second instalment before grant	~$48,640 per applicant
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

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7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 864 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Farid from the Philippines

Background: Farid, a small-business owner from the Philippines. Aged parents (at pension age) already in Australia, paying the contributory charge for faster processing.
Why it qualified: (1) Be old enough to receive the Australian age pension. (2) Pass the balance-of-family test. (3) An eligible sponsor and Assurance of Support.
What made the file strong: The agent tested the weakest criterion first and fixed it before lodging, not after a natural-justice letter.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (faster than non-contributory)).

Grant: Sofia from Turkey

Background: Sofia, a primary teacher from Turkey. Aged parents (at pension age) already in Australia, paying the contributory charge for faster processing.
Why it qualified: (1) Be old enough to receive the Australian age pension. (2) Pass the balance-of-family test. (3) An eligible sponsor and Assurance of Support.
What made the file strong: Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (faster than non-contributory)).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Sipho from Nepal

Background: Sipho, a hospitality manager from Nepal, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 864.
What went wrong: Not meeting the aged-parent (pension-age) requirement
Outcome: The case officer decided on the papers without a further request - the file had to stand on its own, and it could not.
Lesson for the agent: Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.

Refusal: Grace from Thailand

Background: Grace, a retired shopkeeper from Thailand, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 864.
What went wrong: Balance-of-family test failure
Outcome: The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
Lesson for the agent: Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.

9. Self-exam

10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

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