Is the subclass 804 application fee refunded if refused in 2026?
No — the subclass 804 application fee is not refunded if your application is refused in 2026. Find out the official fee rule and conditions.
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs' Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804) official page, as at July 2026, the application fee is not refunded if the Department refuses your application. The page states this in the visa outcome section: "We will not refund the application fee if we refuse your application." In short, a refusal does not entitle you to get the fee back, no matter what ground the refusal is based on — including a refusal that happens because the second instalment was not paid when invoiced. This article is general information only and is not personalised professional advice; because your circumstances matter, rely on the official Department of Home Affairs information or seek advice from a qualified professional about your own situation.
What fees does a subclass 804 application involve?
The official page sets out two separate payment points for this visa. When you apply online using ImmiAccount, paying the application fee is listed as a required step in the application process. Later, after you have applied, the Department may send you an invoice for a second instalment, which must be paid before the visa can be granted.
The page does not set out the dollar amounts for these charges, so the current amounts should be checked on the Department's official Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804) page. What is clear from the page is that the fees are part of the application and grant process, not a deposit that is returned if the outcome is negative.
What happens if the second instalment is not paid?
The second instalment works differently from the initial application fee. The Department will send you an invoice when the second instalment is due, and you must pay it before the visa is granted. The page is explicit about the consequence of not paying: if you do not pay the invoice, the Department will refuse your application.
Assume an applicant receives the second instalment invoice and does not pay it: the Department will refuse the application, and because the application has been refused, the fee already paid is not refunded. The refusal stops the application from proceeding to a grant, but it does not trigger a repayment of what has been paid.
Does a refusal notice explain the decision and any review rights?
Yes. The visa outcome section of the page says that if the Department refuses the visa, it will tell you in writing why the visa was refused and whether you have a right to a review of the decision. You should keep a copy of the Department's decision for your records.
The same section confirms the no-refund rule. So even though the notice may give you reasons and information about review rights, the fee position does not change: the application fee is not refunded when the application is refused.
Is the fee still kept if the refusal is due to identity documents?
The identity requirements on the page create one pathway to refusal. If you cannot prove your identity, the page says the Department will refuse your visa application. It also warns that you might not be granted another visa for 10 years, and that family members listed on the application might also be affected.
Assume an applicant is refused because identity documents were not provided and identity could not be proven: the refusal still brings the general rule into operation. The application fee is not refunded, because the page's no-refund statement applies to a refusal of the application.
Are there any situations where the subclass 804 fee is refunded?
The Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804) page states the fee will not be refunded if the application is refused. The page does not list other circumstances in which a refund would be paid, so any change to that position will appear in the Department's official information. For the most current rule, check the official page rather than relying on general summaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the subclass 804 application fee refunded if refused in 2026?
No. The Department of Home Affairs' Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804) official page states that the application fee will not be refunded if the application is refused. This is the position as at July 2026 on the official page. The rule applies regardless of the reason for the refusal.
Will I get my money back if the application is refused because I did not pay the second instalment?
No. The page says that if you do not pay the second instalment invoice, the Department will refuse your application. A refused application does not lead to a refund of the fee already paid. The second instalment also has to be paid before the visa can be granted.
What fees must be paid for a subclass 804 application?
The page requires you to pay the application fee when you lodge the online application through ImmiAccount. A second instalment is charged later and must be paid before the visa is granted. The page does not set out the amounts, so check the official Home Affairs page for the current charges.
If my subclass 804 application is refused, what will the Department tell me?
The Department will notify you in writing of the decision. The written notice will state why the visa was refused and whether you have a right to a review of the decision. Separately, the official page states that the application fee will not be refunded when an application is refused.
Does the no-refund rule apply if the refusal is due to failing the identity requirement?
Yes. The identity rules on the page say the application will be refused if you cannot prove your identity. Once the application is refused, the visa outcome rule applies and the application fee is not refunded. The two parts of the page operate together: a refusal on identity grounds still means no refund.
Where should I check the current fee rules for subclass 804?
The subclass 804 official page on the Department of Home Affairs website is the place to check the fee and refund position. Government charges and page details can change over time, so the official page should be your reference. The information in this article reflects that page as at July 2026.