The Child Visa for Australia is a permanent visa designed to allow children to live in Australia with their parents who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. The visa is available in several subclasses depending on the child’s and parent’s circumstances
The Australian Child Visa is much more than just a permit—it’s the key to reuniting families and fulfilling the heartfelt dream of having children close to their parents in a safe, nurturing environment. It opens the door for children to build their futures alongside the people they love in Australia, a land full of opportunities and care.
This visa warmly welcomes children—whether they are joining their parents from abroad through the Subclass 101, already living with them under Subclass 802, or coming as adopted children or orphans—to become permanent members of their Australian family. It’s about bringing hope, joy, and a place to call home, where children can grow, learn, and thrive with the security and love of family ties.
There are a number of visa options available for dependent children to be united with their parents in Australia.
The Subclass 101 (Child Visa – Offshore) is an Australian permanent visa for dependent children who are outside Australia and wish to join a parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The visa grants the child the right to live, study, and work in Australia permanently.
The child has access to public healthcare (Medicare) and can later apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
It allows travel to and from Australia for five years after grant, and permits sponsoring eligible relatives in the future.
The child must be outside Australia upon application and when the visa is granted.
The child must be:
Under 18; OR
18–25 and financially dependent as a full-time student; OR
Over 18 with a disability that prevents work.
The child must be single—not married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship.
The child can be a biological, adopted, or eligible step-child of the sponsoring parent.
Both the child and any dependents included in the application must meet health and character requirements.
A parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The sponsorship can also be by the parent's partner, or by adoptive or step-parents under certain legal conditions.
For children under 18, legal responsibility—including written consent from all persons with legal rights over the child—is required.
Any orders from Australian family law courts must be respected.
Gather all supporting evidence: birth/adoption certificates, proof of relationship, consent documents, health, and character assessments.
Submit the application from outside Australia, either online or by paper.
Health and (if aged 16+) character checks are required.
Processing time varies, typically between 20 and 28 months depending on application completeness and case complexity.
The standard fee is AUD 2,665 for the main applicant, plus additional costs for assessments and certificates.
The Subclass 101 visa is the pathway for children overseas to reunite permanently with parents settled in Australia, ensuring family stability and full access to the benefits of permanent residency.
The Subclass 802 (Child Visa – Onshore) is a permanent resident visa designed for dependent children who are currently in Australia and wish to remain with a parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The child can live, study, and work in Australia indefinitely.
Access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system) is included.
The child can eventually apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
Unrestricted travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the issuance date; after that, a Resident Return Visa (RRV) is needed if not yet an Australian citizen.
The child must be in Australia at the time of application and when the visa decision is made.
Must be a dependent child of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The child must be:
Under 18; OR
A full-time student aged 18–25 and financially dependent; OR
Over 18 and unable to work due to a disability.
The child must be single (not married, not in a de facto relationship, and not engaged), and dependent on the parent.
Can be a biological, adopted, or (in some cases) step-child.
Proof of the child’s identity, relationship with the sponsoring parent, and the parent’s citizenship or visa status.
If over 18 and under 25, proof of full-time study and financial dependency.
Health and character checks for both the child and any dependents.
Parental consent documents in cases of shared custody or if only one parent is applying.
Application and supporting documents must be lodged while the child is in Australia.
Average processing time is typically 10–18 months, depending on the case and completeness of documents.
Main applicant fee starts from around AUD 3,055; additional charges apply for health checks, police clearances, and for including siblings as applicants.
The child becomes a permanent resident of Australia with the possibility to sponsor eligible relatives in the future.
Entitlement to public education, healthcare, and legal residency protections.
The Subclass 802 visa is best suited for dependent children already in Australia, aiming to provide family unity and stability through permanent residency.
The Subclass 102 (Adoption Visa) is a permanent visa allowing children adopted overseas to migrate to Australia and live with their adoptive parents, who must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
The child must be under 18 years of age when adopted, when applying, and when the visa decision is made.
The child must be outside Australia when the visa application is lodged and when it is granted.
The child must be adopted (or in the process of being adopted) in one of the following ways:
Through an intercountry adoption with the involvement of an Australian state or territory central authority.
Through an adoption arrangement between two Hague Convention signatory countries.
Via a private expatriate adoption by an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or permanent resident who has been living outside Australia for more than 12 months before applying.
The child must meet health and character requirements. If over 16, police certificates from residence countries may be required.
The child must be sponsored by an eligible adoptive parent, and sponsorship approval may be denied if the parent has offenses related to children.
All outstanding debts to the Australian government must be paid or arrangements to repay must be made.visaenvoy
The visa must be in the best interests of the child under 18.
The adopted child receives permanent residency in Australia, including the right to live, study, and work indefinitely.
Enrollment in Medicare (Australia’s public health scheme) is permitted.
The child can travel in and out of Australia for five years; thereafter, a Resident Return Visa or citizenship is needed for travel.
The child may sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence in the future.
The possibility to apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
The application is usually submitted by the adoptive parent on behalf of the child.
Required documents include proof of adoption, parental sponsorship, health and character checks, and written consent from all legal guardians.
Applications can be made before adoption finalization when a central adoption authority is involved.
Each sibling must submit a separate application.
Costs start from AUD 2,665–3,140, plus potential additional fees for assessments and certificates.
This visa will not be granted if it is found to be against the welfare or best interests of the child.
Children adopted from Pakistan are not eligible due to legislative restrictions.
The Subclass 102 (Adoption Visa) provides a path for internationally adopted children to join their Australian families and enjoy the full rights and protections of permanent residency.
The Orphan Relative (Permanent) Subclass 117 visa allows a child who has no parents able to care for them to migrate to Australia and live permanently with a relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Grants permanent residence, enabling the child to live, study, and work in Australia indefinitely.
Access to Medicare (public healthcare), and after meeting criteria, eligibility for Australian citizenship.
The child may sponsor eligible family members in the future and can travel in and out of Australia for five years on this visa.
The child must be under 18 years old, single, and without any parent able to care for them because both are deceased, permanently incapacitated, or their whereabouts are unknown.
The child must be outside Australia during application and at the time of visa grant.
There must be a relative sponsor, defined as a sibling, grandparent, uncle/aunt, or their spouse/de facto partner, who is settled in Australia (usually living lawfully for at least two years).
The sponsor must provide accommodation and financial support for the first two years after arrival.
Written consent from everyone legally responsible for the child is required, and any relevant court/legal authority permissions must be obtained.
Health and character requirements must be met for the child and any accompanying dependents.
All outstanding debts to the Australian government must be paid or have arrangements in place.
The application can be refused if it’s not in the child's best interests.
Proof of birth and identity documents.
Evidence of relationship to the sponsor.
Documents regarding parental status and legal consent.
Health and character check certificates.
Application fee starts from AUD 1,920, with additional costs for other assessments.
The process is lengthy, often taking several years (about 78–112 months in some cases).
The Subclass 117 Orphan Relative visa ensures orphaned or abandoned children can find permanent, safe homes with settled relatives in Australia and benefit from long-term rights and protections.
The Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445) is a temporary visa for children whose parent is awaiting a decision on their permanent Partner visa application. It allows the child to stay in Australia temporarily, granting access to education, work rights, and healthcare (Medicare) until the parent's permanent Partner visa is finalized.
The child can live, study, and work in Australia while their parent's permanent Partner visa application is processed.
Access to Medicare and public education is included.
Once the parent's permanent visa (Subclass 100 or 801) is granted, the child can apply for permanent residency.
The child must be a biological, adopted, or stepchild of a parent who holds a temporary Partner visa (Subclass 309 or 820), or holds a Subclass 445 visa themselves.
The child should be under 18 years old, or if over 18 but under 23, must be financially dependent on the parent or unable to work due to a disability.
The child must be single (not married or in a de facto relationship).
The child must be sponsored by the same person who is sponsoring the parent for their visa.
Consent from all legal guardians is needed if the child is under 18.
The child must meet health and character requirements, including police checks if over 16 years old.
The child’s application can be lodged inside or outside Australia. The child must be in the same location at the time of visa grant.
Submit proof of relationship, sponsorship, parental consent, and identification documents.
Lodge the application online or by post, with required health and character checks.
The child must have a residential address in Australia during processing.
The government fee is approximately AUD 2,665–3,235, plus costs for medicals and certificates.
Processing times range from 17 to 21 months depending on the case.
There are work and study rights, and access to health schemes.
Once the parent’s permanent Partner visa is granted, the child can be added to the application for permanent residency.
The Subclass 445 visa keeps families unified in Australia while permanent residency is processed and is a key pathway for dependent children of Partner visa applicants towards full permanent residence.
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