How Much Does the Subclass 884 Visa Cost in 2026 and How Are Instalments Paid?
Subclass 884 costs from AUD35,430 for a single applicant in 2026, paid in two instalments plus extra costs.
As at August 2026, the Subclass 884 Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa costs from AUD35,430 for a single applicant, according to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs official page for that visa, and the charge is split into two instalments rather than paid once. The starting figure covers the main applicant only; every family member included in the application adds a further charge, concessions are confined to limited circumstances, and separate per-applicant costs such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics may also arise. This article is general information only and does not constitute personalised professional advice, so confirm the latest official information or seek a professional opinion for your specific circumstances.
What is the base cost of a Subclass 884 application in 2026?
The Department of Home Affairs official page states that the visa costs from AUD35,430 for a single applicant. The word “from” matters: AUD35,430 is a starting point, not a fixed total or a family price. Additional charges apply for each family member who applies with you, and concessions apply only in limited circumstances.
To find the amount that applies to a particular household, use the Department’s current visa pricing page. The published from-price does not itemise the extra per-person charges, so a single applicant and a couple or family will not pay the same amount.
Does the AUD35,430 starting price include family members?
No. It is the cost for one applicant only. Each family member who applies with you adds an additional charge, and you must still list all family members in the application form even if they are not migrating. Family members who apply must meet health and character requirements, and those not coming to Australia might also need to meet them.
How are the two instalments paid?
The visa is paid in two parts, called instalments. You pay the first instalment when you apply, and the second instalment when the Department asks you to. Temporary Subclass 884 applicants cannot lodge online, so the application must be made on paper and the first instalment is paid at the time of application, with evidence of payment sent with the posted or couriered application.
When is the first instalment due?
The first instalment is due when you apply. Because online lodgement is not available for this visa, you complete the paper application form and pay the first instalment as part of that step, using the payment options on the Department’s how-to-pay page. If the correct visa application charge is not paid, the Department can only notify you and return the application; it cannot process it.
When is the second instalment due, and what if it is not paid?
The Department sends an invoice when the second instalment is due, and you must pay it before the visa can be granted. If you do not pay the invoice, the application will be refused. There is no refund of the application fee if the application is refused.
What other costs should be budgeted on top of the visa charge?
Beyond the visa application charge, each applicant may need to pay for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. These are separate from the instalments and are not included in the AUD35,430 from-price. The official page directs readers to the Fees and charges for other services page for these additional service costs.
Is there a lower visa cost for some applicants in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application. Eligible applicants are recognised when they apply with a valid passport from one of the specified countries, and the lower application cost is charged during the application process. 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:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
More broadly, the official page says concessions apply in limited circumstances, so the current visa pricing page remains the place to confirm whether any concession applies to a specific application.
When will you actually be asked for the second instalment?
Demand for Parent visas is greater than the number of places available each year, so applications are subject to capping and queueing and are processed in the order received. The Department assesses applications in two stages: an initial assessment to either add the application to the queue or refuse it, and then, as places become available, a release from the queue for final assessment.
The second instalment is therefore not due at lodgement. It is requested later, before grant, after the application has moved through the queue. This long gap is the reason the two-stage route spreads cost over several years, and you should not arrange to stay permanently in Australia until the visa is granted.
How does the 884 affect the total cost of reaching permanent residency?
Subclass 884 is a temporary visa and the first stage of a two-stage pathway to the permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). Applying for the subclass 884 visa before the subclass 864 visa allows you to spread the cost of the visas over several years. You must apply for the permanent subclass 864 visa before your subclass 884 visa expires to ensure you meet the applicable lodgement criteria.
For total-cost planning, the Department states that the 884-then-864 process costs more than the Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) and more than applying directly for the subclass 864 visa, but the cost is spread across the two visas over a longer period. The permanent subclass 864 is a contributory parent visa; the Department notes contributory parent visas may be processed faster, but they cost more.
What happens if the wrong amount is paid or the visa is refused?
The Department can only process an application if the correct visa application charge is paid. If you have not paid the correct amount, it will notify you and return the application if necessary. For the second instalment, failing to pay the invoice leads to refusal, and the application fee is not refunded when an application is refused.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Subclass 884 visa for one person in 2026?
It starts from AUD35,430 for a single applicant as at August 2026, according to the Department of Home Affairs official page. This base amount does not include additional charges for family members or other costs such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Do I have to pay the full Subclass 884 fee upfront?
No. The charge is paid in two instalments: the first instalment is paid when you apply, and the second instalment is paid when the Department asks you to. You must pay the second instalment before the visa can be granted.
What happens if I do not pay the second instalment?
The Department will send an invoice when the second instalment is due, and if you do not pay it, your application will be refused. If the application is refused, the application fee will not be refunded.
Are there extra costs beyond the visa instalments?
Yes. Each applicant may need to pay for health checks, police certificates and biometrics, which are separate from the visa application charge. The official page refers readers to the Fees and charges for other services page for these items.
Is there a cheaper Subclass 884 cost for Pacific Island or Timor-Leste applicants?
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste who lodge a valid application. Eligibility is recognised by a valid passport from a listed country, and family members can also receive the lower cost based on the primary applicant’s passport.
Does the two-stage 884 and 864 route cost more than applying directly for the 864?
Yes. The Department states the 884-then-864 process costs more than applying directly for the permanent Subclass 864 visa, and more than the Aged Parent visa (subclass 804). The trade-off is that the cost is spread across two visas over a longer period rather than paid in one application.