How the Balance of Family Test Works for Subclass 864 in 2026
Explains the two 2026 subclass 864 Balance of Family Test routes: counting eligible children and comparing eligible children by country.
As at July 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ official Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) page states that an applicant meets the Balance of Family Test if at least half of their children and step-children are eligible children, or if more eligible children live in Australia than in any other single country. These are alternative routes, so one is enough; the Department’s step-by-step guidance uses the same choice.
This is general information about the published rule, not personal legal advice, and a family count cannot guarantee an individual outcome. The Department’s current eligibility and evidence requirements remain decisive.
What is the shortest correct way to calculate the test?
Use the following sequence:
- List the applicant’s children and step-children. These form the starting family group specified by Home Affairs.
- Identify which children are eligible children. Eligibility must be established separately for each person.
- Apply the first route: calculate whether eligible children make up at least half of all children and step-children.
- If the first route is not met, apply the second route: compare the number of eligible children living in Australia with the number living in each other country.
- Treat either route as sufficient. The applicant does not have to pass both routes.
Eligibility and location serve different purposes. The first route compares eligible children with the whole family count; the second route compares the locations of eligible children. A child who is not eligible still belongs in the first route’s total unless there is a supported basis for excluding the child, but does not enter the second route’s eligible-child location count.
Does exactly half pass the first route?
Yes. “At least half” includes exactly half. The following are hypothetical calculations:
| Children and step-children | Eligible children | Proportion | First-route result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 50% | Meets the test |
| 5 | 2 | 40% | Does not meet this route |
| 5 | 3 | 60% | Meets the test |
| 6 | 3 | 50% | Meets the test |
For an odd-numbered family, the required eligible-child count is the next whole number above half. Three of five children qualifies, while two of five does not; four of seven qualifies, while three of seven does not.
A blended family follows the same rule. If an applicant has two biological children and two step-children, all four enter the family count. If three are eligible children, the family has three out of four and meets the first route.
Can fewer than half pass under the country route?
Yes. The second route does not require eligible children to constitute half of the whole family. It requires only that Australia’s eligible-child count be strictly higher than the eligible-child count in every other single country.
Consider these hypothetical family structures:
- Five children or step-children; two eligible children in Australia and three non-eligible children: the first route fails because two is less than half of five. The second route passes because Australia has two eligible children and every other country has none.
- Thirteen children or step-children; three eligible children in Australia, two in Country A, one in Country B and seven non-eligible children: the first route fails because six is less than half of 13. The second route passes because Australia has more than Country A’s two and Country B’s one.
- Seven children or step-children; three eligible children in Australia, three in Country A and one non-eligible child: the country route fails because the comparison is a 3–3 tie, but the first route passes because six of seven children are eligible. The applicant therefore meets the test through the first route.
- Eight children or step-children, divided between four eligible children in Australia and four in Country A: the first route passes at exactly four out of eight. The second route does not pass because the country counts are tied, but it does not need to because the routes are alternatives.
Country A and Country B must not be combined into one figure. In the second example, Australia has three eligible children and the two other countries have three between them, but Australia still has more than either country considered separately.
Are step-children included?
Yes. Home Affairs expressly includes children and step-children in the at-least-half calculation. Step-children must therefore be considered when forming the total and identifying which family members are eligible.
The same family count is used for the route calculations; the applicant cannot calculate the denominator using only biological children while leaving step-children outside the analysis.
Can a child be excluded from the count?
A child should not simply be omitted from the calculation. Home Affairs asks for evidence showing that a child should not be included in the Balance of Family Test and gives a death certificate as an example.
Any exclusion therefore needs a documented basis. The death certificate is evidence of the stated kind, rather than permission to remove a child from the count without addressing it.
What evidence supports the family count?
The Department’s step-by-step guidance identifies three types of evidence:
- evidence of the applicant’s relationship to each child;
- evidence of each child’s Australian citizenship or country of permanent residence; and
- evidence that a child should not be included in the test, such as a death certificate.
These evidence categories address different parts of the calculation. Relationship evidence identifies the child or step-child; status evidence supports whether that person is an eligible child; and exclusion evidence addresses whether the person belongs in the family count at all.
The second route still depends on where each eligible child lives. The country figures should therefore be recorded separately from the eligibility and relationship assessment.
Does holding a subclass 884 visa remove this requirement?
Home Affairs states that an applicant who holds a Temporary Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 884) visa when applying for subclass 864 has already met the Balance of Family Test.
The step-by-step guidance also says that current subclass 884 holders and applicants whose subclass 884 ended during the immediately preceding 28 days do not need to provide some of the documents usually requested. This does not remove the other subclass 864 eligibility requirements.
Does meeting the test approve the sponsor?
No. The Balance of Family Test and sponsorship are separate requirements. Home Affairs says the applicant must have an eligible sponsor and the sponsorship must be approved.
An eligible child will usually sponsor the applicant. If the child is under 18, an eligible relative or community organisation may sponsor the application. Passing the family calculation does not replace that separate sponsorship assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does exactly half of my children and step-children pass the test?
Yes. Under the first route, two of four or three of six is enough because “at least half” includes exactly half. For five children or step-children, the threshold is three rather than two.
Can I pass with fewer than half of my children or step-children eligible?
Yes, through the country route. For example, among 11 children or step-children, five could be eligible: three living in Australia, one in Country A and one in Country B, with six non-eligible children. The first route fails because five is less than half of 11, but the second route passes because Australia has more eligible children than either other single country.
Does a tie for the largest country count?
No. A 3–3 country tie does not satisfy the second route because Australia must have strictly more eligible children than every other single country. An exact-half count may still pass under the first route, such as four eligible children out of eight.
Are step-children included in the calculation?
Yes. Home Affairs expressly includes children and step-children in the family count. They must be included in the total, while only those meeting the eligible-child criteria enter the relevant numerator or country comparison.
Can a child who has died be left out of the calculation?
Not by simply omitting the child from the list. Home Affairs asks for evidence that the child should not be included and gives a death certificate as an example. The claimed exclusion should be supported by that evidence.
What evidence does the official guidance identify?
The step-by-step guidance identifies evidence of the relationship to each child, evidence of Australian citizenship or country of permanent residence, and evidence supporting an exclusion, such as a death certificate. The Department presents these as separate evidence types.
Does holding a subclass 884 visa mean the test has already been met?
An applicant who holds a subclass 884 visa when applying for subclass 864 has already met the Balance of Family Test. An applicant who held a subclass 884 visa at any time in the 28 days before applying may also use the second-stage pathway, but this does not waive the other subclass 864 requirements.
Does meeting the Balance of Family Test mean my sponsor is automatically approved?
No. Home Affairs treats the family test and sponsorship approval as separate requirements. The applicant must still have an eligible sponsor, and the sponsorship must be approved.