Subclass 884 Lodgement: Paper Forms, Payment and Validity Rules 2026

A Subclass 884 Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa application cannot be lodged online. According to the Department of Home Affairs official page Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 884), as of the August 2026 version of that page, temporary Contributory Aged Parent applicants must apply on paper, must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance when they submit, must complete every form in English, and must pay the first instalment at the time they apply. If any of those steps are incomplete, the application may be invalid — and the department does not process invalid applications.

The rules below describe published lodgement procedure only. They are general information, not personalised advice about your own circumstances, so treat the official page as the controlling source and check the latest published figures before you post anything.

Which forms go into a subclass 884 paper application?

Three forms make up the core of the package.

• Form 47PA Application for a parent to migrate to Australia — completed by you, the applicant.
• Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia — completed by your sponsor.
• Form 47A Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over — completed by each family member aged 18 or over.

If you have already applied for a different Parent visa and no decision has been made on it, you must withdraw that application when you apply for this one. The withdrawal is done through Part B of Form 47PA.

Does every family member aged 18 or over need Form 47A?

Yes. Each member of your family aged 18 years or over must complete Form 47A, and this applies even if they are not migrating. You must still include details of all your family members in your application form even where they are not coming to Australia.

Form 47A is also the form used to prove dependency where an older child is included as a dependant, supported by proof of the relationship (for example a birth certificate or adoption papers) and evidence of financial dependency for at least the 12 months before you apply.

Do the forms have to be completed in English?

Yes — you must complete all forms in English. There is no allowance described on the official page for lodging the 884 forms in another language.

What has to be paid when you lodge?

You must pay the first instalment when you apply. The visa is paid in two instalments: the first at lodgement, and the second after the department sends you an invoice, before the visa can be granted. If you do not pay that second invoice, the application will be refused.

On cost, the official page states this visa costs from AUD 35,430 for a single applicant, with additional charges for each family member who applies with you and concessions in limited circumstances. You may also face separate costs per applicant for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. The application fee is not refunded if the application is refused.

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 recognises eligible applicants by a valid passport issued by one of the listed countries — including Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, among others — and family members are eligible on the basis of the primary applicant's passport.

The department can only process your application if you pay the correct visa application charge. If the amount is wrong, you will be notified and the application returned if necessary.

How do you send it, and can you lodge in person?

You cannot apply in person. The application must be sent by post or courier to the address shown on the form, and it must include all required documents, all forms, and evidence of payment of the application charge.

Two packing rules matter at this stage:

• Send certified copies, not original documents. The only stated exception is police certificates.
• Keep a copy of the completed application and supporting documents for your own records.

What makes a subclass 884 application invalid?

Several lodgement conditions go directly to validity rather than to merit.

• Being outside Australia, or in immigration clearance. You, and any family members applying with you, must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance when you apply and when the decision is made.
• A no further stay condition. If you apply while on a temporary visa with a no further stay condition, the application will be invalid unless you apply for a waiver of that condition.
• Holding or having applied for a Subclass 870. You cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
• An incomplete lodgement step. If any of the steps above are incomplete, the application may be invalid. Invalid applications are not processed; you will be notified, and the application will be returned if you request it.

Who can help you, and how is that recorded on a paper application?

Only some people can give immigration assistance. If you appoint someone for that purpose, they must be a registered migration agent, a legal practitioner, or an exempt person. You can appoint anyone at all to receive documents on your behalf.

On a paper application, the appointments are made by form:

• Form 956 — Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person, for immigration assistance.
• Form 956A — Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient, for correspondence.

These forms, or written notification, go in with the paper application.

What happens after the paper application is received?

The department lets you know when it has received your application and documents. After you receive your acknowledgement letter, you can import the paper application into ImmiAccount by entering your application ID, date of birth, and identity document number (ImmiCard, passport or Titre de Voyage number). Importing gives you access to online services: attaching supporting documents, viewing messages, updating your details, and checking status.

Assessment runs in two stages — an initial assessment that either adds the application to the queue or refuses it, then final assessment as places become available. Applications are subject to capping and queueing and are processed in the order received. Do not arrange to stay permanently in Australia until the visa is granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lodge the Subclass 884 visa online in 2026?

No. Online lodgement is not available for temporary Contributory Aged Parent visa applicants, so the application must be made on paper and sent by post or courier. You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you submit it.

Which three forms are required for a paper 884 application?

Form 47PA for the applicant, Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia completed by the sponsor, and Form 47A for each family member aged 18 or over. Form 47A is required for those family members even if they are not migrating.

When is the second instalment due?

The second instalment is payable before the visa can be granted, and the department sends an invoice when it is due. If the invoice is not paid, the application will be refused, and the application fee is not refunded on refusal.

What should I send with the forms — originals or copies?

Send certified copies only; original documents should not go with the application. Police certificates are the stated exception. You should also keep your own copy of the completed application and supporting documents.

What happens if my application is invalid?

The department does not process invalid applications. It will notify you if your application is invalid, and will return it if you request that.

Can I still apply if I hold a Subclass 870 visa?

No. You cannot apply for the Subclass 884 visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa. This is a bar on applying, not a factor weighed in assessment.

How much does the Subclass 884 visa cost?

The official page states the visa costs from AUD 35,430 for a single applicant, with additional charges for each family member who applies with you. It is paid in two instalments, and you should confirm current pricing on the official visa pricing page before lodging.

References

• Department of Home Affairs — Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 884)