Documents Needed for Australia Parent Visa 884 in 2026
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ official page for the Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 884), as at August 2026, a complete application needs identity documents for you and anyone applying with you, sponsor documents, evidence for the balance of family test, photographs, and—if the Department asks—character documents such as police certificates. For a family reunion case, the documents for accompanying people are central: your partner needs identity, character and relationship evidence (a current marriage certificate, or proof of a de facto relationship of at least 12 months before you apply), while each dependent child needs identity documents, evidence of your relationship (such as a birth certificate), and—if they are 18 or over—proof of dependency. This article is general information only and is not personalised professional advice; because rules and forms can change, rely on the official latest published information or a qualified professional’s opinion for your situation, and note that only a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person can lawfully give immigration assistance.
What identity documents does every person in the application need?
You and anyone who applies for the visa with you must have valid passports before the Department grants the visa. Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name, if applicable.
Documents that prove a change of name include a marriage or divorce certificate, change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages or the relevant overseas authority, or documents that show other names you have been known by.
If you cannot prove your identity, the Department will refuse your visa application. It might also not grant you another visa for 10 years, and might not grant any family members you listed on your application a visa for 10 years.
What relationship and character evidence is needed for an accompanying partner?
For your partner, provide identity documents, character documents, and evidence of your relationship with them. That relationship evidence is your current marriage certificate, or documents proving you have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before you apply. If it applies, also provide documents about your partner’s other relationships.
Documents that prove a de facto relationship include:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show you have lived at the same address as your partner.
Every member of your family aged 18 years or over must also complete Form 47A (Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over), and this applies even if they are not migrating. Character documents for a partner are requested in the same way as for you: the Department might ask for them, and you should not arrange a police check until it asks.
What documents do dependent children under 18 need?
For every dependant under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- evidence of your relationship with them, for example a birth or marriage certificate
- character documents, if applicable.
The same photo requirement covers them as well, because you must provide four recent photos of anyone included in the application.
How can a dependent child aged 18 or over be included, and what proves dependency?
To be included as a dependent child, your child must be under 18, or over 18 but not yet turned 23 and dependent on you or your partner, or over 23 and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations while dependent on you or your partner.
For every dependant aged 18 or older who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- evidence of your relationship with them, for example a birth or marriage certificate
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
- proof of dependency.
Proof of dependency means a completed Form 47A and proof of your relationship with the dependant, such as a birth certificate or adoption papers. You must also prove the person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply; you could provide proof they live with you, their tax records, or proof they are currently studying. If your child is likely to turn 23 while the application is processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.
What sponsor and balance-of-family evidence supports the application?
An eligible sponsor must sponsor your application. Your sponsor must complete Form 40 (Sponsorship for migration to Australia).
You must show that you meet the balance of family test by giving:
- evidence of how you are related to each child
- evidence of each child’s Australian citizenship or country of permanent residence
- evidence that a child should not be included in the balance of family test, for example their death certificate.
The Migration Regulations 1994 describe the Subclass 884 as the temporary contributory aged parent visa and set out that the main applicant must be the aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, settled Australian permanent resident or settled eligible New Zealand citizen, with the sponsor generally being that child. The official Department of Home Affairs page is the document checklist authority, so confirm any sponsorship or eligibility detail with the official latest published information.
What character documents are needed, and when should police certificates be arranged?
The Department might ask you for character documents, including police certificates. Do not arrange a police check until the Department asks you to.
For an accompanying partner and for dependants aged 18 or over, character documents are part of their listed requirements. For dependants under 18, provide character documents if applicable. When you send your paper application, do not send original documents, except for police certificates; you must only send certified copies.
What photo and lodgement rules apply to the documents?
Provide four recent photos of anyone included in the application. Photographs must be passport-size (45mm x 35mm), less than 6 months old, good quality colour (the Department will not accept laser copies), a view of your full face, and taken against a plain light-coloured background. You can wear untinted prescription glasses, and if you wear a head covering for religious reasons you can show only your face.
Complete Form 47PA (Application for a parent to migrate to Australia) as the main application form, and have your sponsor complete Form 40. Each family member aged 18 or over completes Form 47A. You must complete all forms in English, and you must pay the first instalment when you apply; a second instalment must be paid before the visa is granted, and if you do not pay the invoice the application will be refused.
Online lodgement is not available for this temporary visa, so you must apply on paper and must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you submit; you cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870) visa. You cannot apply in person; send your application by post or courier to the address on the form, including all required documents, forms and evidence of payment. If you have applied for a different Parent visa and no decision has been made, you must withdraw that application when you apply for this one by completing Part B of Form 47PA. You should keep a copy of your completed application and supporting documents for your own records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need documents for family members who are not migrating?
Every family member aged 18 years or over must complete Form 47A, even if they are not migrating, while the full set of identity, relationship and character documents is required for those who actually apply with you. Also, if you cannot prove your own identity, the Department might not grant any family members listed on your application a visa for 10 years.
What evidence proves a de facto relationship for my partner?
Provide documents such as joint bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names, joint leases or mortgages, or documents showing you have lived at the same address as your partner. The de facto relationship must have existed for at least 12 months before you apply, and if you are married you would provide your current marriage certificate instead of relying on de facto evidence.
When should I arrange police certificates?
Do not arrange a police check until the Department asks you to, because it will tell you if character documents, including police certificates, are needed. This applies to you, your accompanying partner and dependants over 18, while dependants under 18 need character documents only if applicable.
Can my child over 23 still be included as a dependant?
A child over 23 can be included only if they are unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and are dependent on you or your partner. You must provide proof of dependency.
What happens if I do not provide accurate or complete information?
There are consequences if you do not give the Department accurate or complete information, and if any required step is incomplete your application may be invalid. The Department does not process invalid applications; it will notify you if this is the case and, if requested, return your application.
Do I need to send original documents with my paper application?
No, send only certified copies, except for police certificates if the Department has asked for them. You should keep a copy of your completed application and supporting documents for your own records, and send the paper application by post or courier because you cannot apply in person.