Many Singaporeans in their fifties, sixties and seventies have children or grandchildren living in Australia. Some already own a home in Melbourne, Sydney or Perth. A common question we hear is simple: “Can I retire in Australia?”
The honest answer is that it is harder than many people expect. Australia does not currently have an open retirement visa. But depending on your family, your finances and your plans, there may still be a pathway. This article explains the options in plain terms.
The retirement visas are closed
Australia used to offer the Investor Retirement visa (subclass 405) and the Retirement visa (subclass 410). Both are now closed to new applicants. Only people who already held one of these visas in 2018 can use the special pathway the Government created for them.
The Business Innovation and Investment visas, which some wealthy retirees used, are also no longer available. See our article on business and investor options after the 188 visa.
If someone tells you there is a simple “retirement visa” you can buy, be careful.
Option 1: Parent visas, if your children are settled in Australia
For most Singaporean retirees, the main pathway is a parent visa, sponsored by a child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and has been settled in Australia.
There are two broad groups:
- Contributory parent visas. These cost much more, but they are processed faster. The Department of Home Affairs currently estimates the wait for new applications at around 18 years.
- Non-contributory parent visas. These cost far less, but the queue is very long. The current estimate is around 42 years.
You must also pass the balance of family test, meet health requirements, and usually have an assurance of support from a family member.
We explain these visas, with Singapore family examples, in our guide for Singaporean parents moving to Australia.
Option 2: Long stays without permanent residence
Some families decide that permanent residence is not worth the wait or the cost. They choose long temporary stays instead:
- Visitor visas (including the ETA available to Singapore passport holders) for shorter visits, and
- the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), which can allow parents to stay for up to three or five years at a time, up to ten years in total.
These options do not lead to permanent residence. They usually mean no Medicare, so private health insurance is essential. We compare them in our article on long stays with grandchildren in Australia.
Option 3: Partner visas
If you are married to, or in a genuine de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a partner visa may be available at any age. This is often the most direct route for older applicants who have remarried. The relationship must be genuine and well documented.
Option 4: Exceptional achievement
The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in a field such as research, business, the arts or sport. There is no upper age limit, but the bar is high and the evidence must be strong. It suits very few retirees.
Option 5: Former Australian permanent residents
If you once held Australian permanent residence, you may still have options. These include a Resident Return Visa or, in some cases, citizenship. Long absences make this harder, but not always impossible. Get advice before you apply, because what you say in the first application matters.
Skilled and employer visas
Most skilled and employer-sponsored permanent visas have an age limit of under 45, so they rarely suit retirees.
Questions to think about before you decide
- Do your children meet the requirements to sponsor you?
- Would a long wait, or a long-stay temporary visa, suit your health and plans?
- What happens to your Singapore home, CPF and other assets?
- How will Australian tax, health care and the Age Pension rules affect you? See our checklist for moving to Australia later in life.
How Chua Tan Associates can help
Our immigration team includes two Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, and we advise in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We regularly advise Singaporean and Malaysian families on parent visas, long-stay options and partner visas. We work alongside the firm’s estates and property lawyers, so your visa, property and will can be planned together.
Every family is different. Book a 30-minute paid consultation by video from Singapore. We will look at your family’s situation and explain which options are realistic.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a retirement visa for Australia in 2026?
No. The retirement visas (subclasses 405 and 410) are closed to new applicants.
Can I buy permanent residence by investing in Australia?
The former business and investor visas that some retirees used are no longer available. Other options depend on your circumstances.
My son is an Australian citizen. Can he sponsor me?
Possibly, through a parent visa. You must also pass the balance of family test and other requirements, and the waiting times are long.
Can I live in Australia while waiting for a parent visa?
Sometimes, depending on which visa you apply for and where you apply from. The wrong visa or condition can close this door, so get advice before you travel.
Important: This article is general information only and must not be relied on. It is not legal, tax, financial or migration advice, does not take your circumstances into account, and may not reflect changes in the law after publication. Laws of other countries may also apply. Do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of this article. Reading it or contacting us does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Please book a consultation for advice on your situation.
Related reading
Chua Tan Associates advises families, individuals and employers on Australian visas, sponsorship, refusals and appeals. To arrange a paid consultation, please contact our Melbourne office on +61 3 9602 3988 or book online. Advice is available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Justin Chua (蔡智勋), lawyer and mediator, Chua Tan Associates, Melbourne. General information only, not legal advice. Updated October 2026.
简体中文 
English (Australia) 
繁體中文