Visa Options
Main Child Visa Options
101
Child Visa – Subclass 101
The Subclass 101 Child Visa allows an eligible dependent child who is outside Australia to move to Australia and live permanently with their parent.
The sponsoring parent must generally be an:
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent visa holder
- Eligible New Zealand citizen
The child must generally be single and either:
- Under 18 years of age
- Aged 18 to 24, studying full-time and financially dependent on the parent
- Over 18 and unable to work because of a disability
The child must normally be outside Australia when the application is lodged and when the visa decision is made.
802
Child Visa – Subclass 802
The Subclass 802 Child Visa is a permanent visa for an eligible dependent child who is already in Australia.
The child must generally be:
- Dependent on an eligible parent
- Single
- Under 18, a financially dependent full-time student aged 18 to 24, or unable to work because of a disability
- In Australia when applying and when the visa is decided
The child may be unable to apply while holding a visa with a “no further stay” condition.
102
Adoption Visa – Subclass 102
The Subclass 102 Adoption Visa allows a child adopted, or in the process of being adopted, outside Australia to live permanently with an eligible adoptive parent in Australia.
The child generally needs to:
- Have been under 18 when adopted
- Be under 18 when applying and when the application is decided
- Be outside Australia when applying and when the decision is made
- Have an adoption arrangement that meets Australian immigration requirements
The Department of Home Affairs assesses the visa but does not arrange overseas adoptions. Adoption requirements can be complex, and families should obtain guidance before completing an overseas adoption.
445
Dependent Child Visa – Subclass 445
The Subclass 445 Dependent Child Visa allows an eligible child to stay temporarily in Australia while their parent’s permanent Partner visa application is being processed.
This visa may be relevant when a child was not included in the parent’s original temporary Partner visa application.
It remains temporary and generally continues until a decision is made on the parent’s permanent Partner visa.
117
&837
&837
Orphan Relative Visas – Subclasses 117 and 837
These visas may allow an eligible single child to live with a relative in Australia where the child’s parents:
- Are deceased
- Cannot care for the child
- Cannot be located
The Subclass 117 pathway is generally for a child applying from outside Australia, while the Subclass 837 pathway applies to eligible children in Australia.
Benefits
Key Benefits of Permanent Child Visas
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Live in Australia permanently
✓
Work and study in Australia
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Enrol in Medicare
✓
Travel to and from Australia during the initial five-year travel facility
✓
Sponsor eligible relatives in the future
✓
Attend eligible Adult Migrant English Program classes
✓
Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
Eligibility
General Eligibility Requirements
Requirements depend on the visa subclass, but applicants may generally need to:
✓
Be the biological, adopted or eligible stepchild of the sponsoring parent
✓
Be single and dependent on the parent
✓
Meet the applicable age or disability criteria
✓
Have an eligible parent or relative sponsor
✓
Meet health and character requirements
✓
Provide consent from everyone legally entitled to decide where a child under 18 lives
✓
Demonstrate that granting the visa is in the child’s best interests
✓
Meet the applicable location requirements
A child born outside Australia to an Australian citizen parent may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent instead of a Child visa. This should be checked before lodging a visa application.
Each child generally requires a separate visa application, although the child’s own dependent children may sometimes be included, depending on the subclass.
Visa Location
Location Requirements at a Glance
Australia Child Visa
Start Your Child Visa Application
Open Path Immigration can assist with:
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Selecting the appropriate Child visa pathway
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Child and sponsor eligibility assessment
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Dependency and age-requirement review
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Custody and parental-consent document guidance
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Adoption and relationship evidence checklist
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Dependent Child and Partner visa coordination
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Application preparation and document review
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Important Notice
Child visa eligibility depends on the child’s age, dependency, relationship, location, custody arrangements and the sponsor’s immigration status. Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee approval. Final decisions are made solely by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
