Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018N00066:body:0:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018N00066
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 5466–7651

Zealand citizen can apply for the onshore permanent Contributory Aged Parent 864 visa or temporary Contributory Aged Parent 884 visa if they are in Australia. As at 27 July 2017, there were two visa pathways for migration under the Contributory Aged Parent stream – a one-stage permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa 864 or a two-stage temporary-to-permanent option – an initial grant of the temporary Contributory Aged Parent visa 884 for two years and then the grant of the permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa 864. Both pathways bear a significant cost. The total cost of the temporary-to-permanent pathway is slightly higher but enables the applicant to spread payments across two years, during which time they have work rights and access to Medicare.

Parents who are granted a permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) have full access to Medicare.

Note: If an applicant validly applies for a permanent contributory parent visa (including while holding a temporary contributory parent visa), they are usually granted a bridging visa "A" (BVA). A person should continue to remain eligible for Medicare while their application for a permanent contributory parent visa application is being processed under such circumstances. This is even though the temporary contributory parent visa may expire during this stage. Individuals on BVAs who previously held a valid 173 or 884 visa remain eligible until the Department of Immigration and Border Protection grant a permanent 143 or 864 visa. The 173 and 884 visa subclasses apply to parents of any age.

Existing Non-Contributory Parent Visas

Parents seeking permanent residence in Australia continue to have the option to apply under the non-contributory parent visa category, comprising the onshore Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) and the offshore Parent visa (subclass 103). Like other permanent visa applicants they are not eligible for Medicare until a permanent visa has been granted.

   Note: The name of this instrument was amended on registration as the instrument as lodged did not have a unique name (see subsection 10(2), Legislation Rule 2016).